Anton Yelchin Death: ‘Star Trek’ Cast, Director J.J. Abrams Remember Chekov Actor

Anton Yelchin Star Trek — Anton Yelchin was remembered by his “Star Trek” co-workers after his sudden death. The actor is pictured at the 71st Venice Film Festival in Italy on Sept. 4, 2014. Reuters

Anton Yelchin is being remembered by his “Star Trek” colleagues and friends. The 27-year-old was killed after being pinned between his car and a brick mail box early Sunday morning. The sudden death has elicited emotional responses from the people he worked with, including the cast of “Star Trek.”

Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock, took to Instagram to honor his friend. “our dear friend. our comrade. our anton,” Quinto wrote. “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

Zoe Saldana, who plays Uhura, first released a statement (via Us Weekly) to express her condolences. “She is beyond devastated and first and foremost her heart and prayers are with the Yelchin family during this time,” her representative said. On Monday, she tweeted a message.

Devastated by our friend's loss. We are mourning his passing and celebrating the beautiful spirit that he was. #RIPAnton
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) June 20, 2016

J.J. Abrams, who directed both “Star Trek” and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” posted a handwritten note to Yelchin on his production company Bad Robot’s Twitter account.

pic.twitter.com/q8VBJBVPK3
— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016

John Cho (Sulu), Karl Urban (Bones) and “Star Trek Beyond” director Justin Lin also expressed their grief on social media.

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

Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.
— Justin Lin (@trailingjohnson) 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

It isn’t just the current generation of “Star Trek” actors that have reached out either. “Star Trek: The Next Generation” actors Michael Dorn (Worf) and Levar Burton (Geordi La Forge) addressed Yelchin’s death as did Adam Nimoy, the son of the original Spock actor, Leonard Nimoy.

I was hoping this wasn't true. Such a talented young actor taken way too soon. Very sad. https://t.co/uaRRTJIq2w
— Michael Dorn (@akaWorf) June 19, 2016

OMG... Nooooo! RT @TrekMovie: Breaking News: Anton Yelchin dead at age 27 - https://t.co/bICL4CawJK pic.twitter.com/8ZosMVPeKZ
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) June 19, 2016

Heartbreaking to hear the news today about Anton. An incredible talent, lost much too soon. He will be missed.__
— Adam Nimoy (@adam_nimoy) June 19, 2016

Yelchin played Chekov in the reboot, and audiences haven’t seen him for the last time. “Star Trek Beyond” is among the actor’s projects that will be released posthumously. It hits theaters July 22.