Star Trek director JJ Abrams leads tributes to Anton Yelchin

Star Trek director JJ Abrams has lead tributes to 27-year-old actor Anton Yelchin, who died over the weekend.

Yelchin, who played Pavel Chekov in Abrams’ 2009 reboot, died following a “traffic collision” in Los Angeles on Sunday.

“Anton, you were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell” Abrams wrote in a note shared on Twitter via his production company, Bad Robot.

pic.twitter.com/q8VBJBVPK3

— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016

“You were supremely talented. And not here nearly long enough”, he continued.

Abrams’ successor, Justin Lin, (who directed the upcoming Star Trek Beyond) expressed his shock at the young actor’s untimely passing.

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 (@justinlin) June 19, 2016

Bryan Fuller, the man behind the upcoming 2017 Star Trek TV series, shared a simple tribute.

REST IN PEACE, MR. YELCHIN pic.twitter.com/5Ld3bGphQk

— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) June 19, 2016

Yelchin’s Star Trek co-stars expressed their grief via social media throughout the night as they came to terms with his passing.

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

And former Starfleet crew members were among those paying tribute to the young actor too.

Sad news for such a talented young man. Condolences to the family of Anton Yelchin.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 20, 2016

Paramount Studios released a statement to Entertainment Weekly, paying tribute to a young man who was “beloved by so many”.

RIP #AntonYelchin family member gone too soon

— Jonathan Frakes (@jonathansfrakes) June 19, 2016

“All of us at Paramount join the world in mourning the untimely passing of Anton Yelchin. As a member of the Star Trek family, he was beloved by so many and he will be missed by all,” representatives for the studio said.

Saddened by the tragic loss of a talented, well-loved young actor. Peace to Anton and comfort to his loved ones.

— Robert Picardo (@RobertPicardo) June 19, 2016

“We share our deepest condolences with his mother, father and family.”

And the Star Trek family also released a special message in Yelchin’s memory.

Today we mourn the passing of Anton Yelchin. He was beloved by so many and he will missed by all. pic.twitter.com/POChZ2XwyI

— Star Trek (@StarTrekMovie) June 19, 2016

‘Anton was our little brother. But only by years; he was as wise and clever and intellectually curious as anyone we ever knew”, the team wrote.

“His laugh was preposterous – you couldn’t hear it and not laugh yourself. He was funny, edgy, wild and talented beyond measure. His focus and dedication was admirable, as was his love of family, friends, literature and music.” We loved Anton, at work or at play.

We are all shocked and numb and devastated by the world’s loss of an extraordinary young man. To his family, we send you our love during this impossible time. We will miss Anton forever.”

The tributes didn’t stop there, though. From Tom Hiddleston to Anna Kendrick and Chris Evans, the tributes poured in from Yelchin’s Hollywood peers.

Absolutely devastated to hear about Anton Yelchin. He was such a gifted, natural actor & a deeply kind man. My thoughts are with his family.

— Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) June 19, 2016

RIP.