Anton Yelchin
A fiercely intelligent actor with an old-soul presence, he brought poignant vulnerability to sci-fi and indie roles before his tragic death at 27.
1989–2016 (age 27)·American actor·Birthday: March 11·Millennials
Biography
Anton Yelchin arrived in America as an infant, a refugee from the Soviet Union whose family sought artistic freedom. He possessed a preternatural gravity even as a child actor, landing his breakthrough as a boy psychically linked to a mysterious boarder in 'Hearts in Atlantis.' Yelchin deliberately avoided typical teen idol paths, instead choosing complex, offbeat characters: the precocious pill-pusher in 'Charlie Bartlett,' the young Chekov in the rebooted 'Star Trek' film series, and a man entangled with a lifelike android in 'Like Crazy.' His performances were marked by a searching intensity and a subtle physicality. His life and promising career were cut violently short in a freak accident at his home in 2016, leaving behind a body of work that resonates with the profound potential he embodied.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anton was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anton Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Anton's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2016Died at 27
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Ensign Pavel Chekov in three Star Trek films (2009, 2013, 2016).
- Received critical acclaim for his lead role in the coming-of-age film 'Charlie Bartlett.'
- Starred as a series regular on the Showtime drama 'Huff' opposite Hank Azaria.
- Delivered a praised performance in the romantic drama 'Like Crazy.'
Did You Know?
His parents were both accomplished figure skaters in the Soviet Union before becoming coaches in the U.S.
He was an avid photographer and had his work exhibited in galleries.
He played guitar and sang in a band called The Hammerheads.
The accident that caused his death involved his Jeep Grand Cherokee rolling backwards due to a gearshift design flaw.
“I don't think you can be an artist and not be a political being.”
