Terrible. So senseless. He must have felt so desperate and afraid and alone. I can’t stop thinking about that aspect of it. Tragedy. My condolences go to his friends and family, who must be reeling in shock right now. His short career was better than “promising.” At this moment, he has 5 credits on IMDB either completed or in post. We’ll be seeing films with him in it for the next 2 years. That’s not “promising.” That’s success. He was excellent in small independent films (he chose carefully) and, of course, was tapped for Star Trek Beyond.
In 2015, I interviewed director Victor Levin about his film 5 to 7, starring Anton Yelchin. Here is what Levin had to say about working with Yelchin:
I saw Anton in “Like Crazy” with Felicity Jones. I think he’s one of the best young actors that we have today. He’s easy with comedy, he’s smart, he’s really curious about the intellectual underpinnings of his characters.
His transformation in that final scene was very important.
Yes, and he understood that. There’s a certain world-weariness to him in that scene – or wisdom – that has come into his features, and that’s not a note you can give. “Hey, Anton, please put some wisdom into your features.” You know? That’s not going to work. The actor has to know that that’s what’s required.
He knew what was required.
So damn sad.
Loved him in Alpha Dog, where he played a promising youngster tragically murdered. He was probably the key to that movie working. I’ll never see that movie the same way again. Freaky, sad, tragic. R.I.P.
Todd – I know. :(
He was wonderful in Alpha Dog and Like Crazy too. I haven’t seen Green Room yet but I’ve heard amazing things.
It’s just terrible. His poor family.
Sheila, thanks for this. Saw him first in HUFF and was startled at how good he was, so young. I thought about him being alone at the last minute, too, and hoped it happened quickly. So many prayers. So awfully sad.
Melissa – He really was so good, right out of the gate. His background is fascinating too – Soviet ice ballet parents? A disciplined and talented young man.
I hope it happened quickly too. Just awful.