Anton Yelchin, the young actor best known for playing Ensign Chekov in the rebooted "Star Trek" films, died early this morning in a car accident. He was 27.

The Associated Press confirmed his death with his publicist. According to TMZ, which originally reported the actor's death, Yelchin was pinned between his car and a brick mailbox attached to the security gate of his San Fernando Valley home.

The son of Russian figure skaters, Yelchin moved with his family to the United States when he was still a baby. At age 9 he made his acting debut in the indie film "A Man Is Mostly Water" and then landed roles in a string of projects," including "Along Came a Spider," "House of D," "Hearts in Atlantis" and "Alpha Dog."

Yelchin starred in the 2007 comedy-drama "Charlie Bartlett" before being cast in such big-budget films as 2009's "Star Trek," 2009's "Terminator Salvation" and the 2011 remake of "Fright Night."

He was most recently seen opposite Patrick Stewart in the horror thriller "Green Room." "Star Trek Beyond," in which Yelchin reprised his role as Chekov, opens next month.