Tributes have flooded in for a rising talent of the big screen killed in a freak accident at his Hollywood home.
Anton Yelchin, 27, was pronounced dead at his house in Studio City, LA, after his own car rolled down a driveway, pinning the actor against a postbox pillar and a security fence.
He had been on his way to visit friends when the accident took place.
The Star Trek actor was born in Leningrad, now St Petersburg, to figure skater parents in 1989 before they emigrated to the US.
His career took flight as a youngster with his first appearance in hit TV show, ER.
However it was his performance as a 10-year-old boy in Hearts in Atlantis, alongside Anthony Hopkins, that earned him worldwide recognition.
It is as the seminal Russian navigator, Chekov, in JJ Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot and its sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, that Mr Yelchin will perhaps be best remembered for.
However the young actor also starred in a number of independent films with great turns in Like Crazy, Only Lovers Left Alive and more recently, Green Room – where he starred alongside Patrick Stewart.
Since the news of his death on Sunday emerged, tributes have flooded in online from across the film industry.
Devastated to hear about the brilliant Anton Yelchin. He was thoughtful, kind, and gifted. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) June 19, 2016
#AntonYelchin was one of those super bright stars that will burn bright forever!! R.i.p. Little buddy pic.twitter.com/xoudLFc7kn
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) June 20, 2016
So very sad to hear the awful news about Anton Yelchin. Such a fine actor with his whole career ahead of him. He will be remembered always.
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) June 19, 2016
Mr Yelchin was considered a rising cinematic talent and had also starred in Terminator Salvation, Charlie Bartlett, Alpha Dog and Fright Night.
Star Trek Beyond is due out next month, while four others films starring the actor are also forthcoming.
Director Mr Abrams, who also recently helmed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, described the actor as “brilliant” and “funny as hell”.
In a handwritten letter posted online, he said: “Anton, you were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented.
“And you weren’t here nearly long enough. Missing you.”
Anton Yelchin was an absolute gem, a joker and one of my few close mates in U.S. My love to his family/friends. Rest in peace my brother. ❤️
— Joe Cole (@theotherJoeCole) June 19, 2016
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016