Rest in Peace, Anton Yelchin

6/20/2016

When I first saw Anton Yelchin in Hearts in Atlantis, an adaption of a Stephen King collection, I was impressed. He was only 12 when he starred in it alongside Anthony Hopkins. With that first movie, I knew I would look forward to his work for decades. I'm so very sorry to say that that time was cut unfairly short. He was the best part of Huff, fantastic in Charlie Bartlett, a delight in the rebooted Star Trek. Now, like Heath Ledger and The Dark Knight, I will be watching Star Trek Beyond with tears welling up whenever Anton is on the screen.

Though I never knew him, this is another in just a handful or two of celebrity losses that really knocked the wind out of me. I am so sorry for his family and friends. It is quite painful to lose someone, even more so when it's so sudden, unexpected, and on a day that's supposed to be a celebration. Father's Day (and Mother's Day and every day) will forever be linked with tremendous heartache for both of his parents. I leave you now with a few tweets in memoriam from Anton's Star Trek family.

I can't believe it , I m fckn hurting bad !

— Karl Urban (@KarlUrban) June 19, 2016

Anton was such a beautiful , gentle soul . He sought out new life experience with an unabated passion . He was edgy , incredibly talented and beautifully knowledge . His smile was radiant and mischievous . Truly an old soul in a young mans body . He was a loving son . My heart , thoughts and prayers are with Antons family. Im devastated. Godspeed you gorgeous man .

A photo posted by Karl Urban (@__karlurban__) on Jun 20, 2016 at 5:04am PDT

The typo in here made it hurt more, because no one cares about a typo at a time like this, and I could imagine Karl trying to get all of that out through blurry, tear-filled eyes.

I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist - curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins.

— John Cho (@JohnTheCho) June 19, 2016

pic.twitter.com/q8VBJBVPK3

— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016

our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people i have ever had the pleasure to know. so enormously talented and generous of heart. wise beyond his years. and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.

A photo posted by Zachary Quinto (@zacharyquinto) on Jun 19, 2016 at 12:31pm PDT

While everyone had beautiful words, Simon Pegg really got to me, because it was just this picture.

pic.twitter.com/4Q8shpsugc

— Pegg News (@simonpegg) June 20, 2016

There are many more messages you can read at Hollywood Reporter from people who worked with Anton, people who were his friends, and people who admired him.