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Jeep that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was one of thousands of faulty vehicles recalled

Friends found the 27-year-old pinned between his 2.5 tonne jeep and the gates to his LA home on Sunday as it is revealed his vehicle was model of Jeep Grand Cherokee have been recalled twice for gearbox problems

• Yasmin Jeffery
• Howell Davies
• Danny Collins
• Published : 19:23, 19 Jun 2016
• Updated : 20:25, 20 Jun 2016

THE vehicle involved in a freak accident that killed Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was being recalled over safety concerns, it has emerged.

Russian-born Yelchin was found dead by friends pinned between a concrete pillar outside his LA home and his Jeep Grand Cherokee yesterday.

Some models of the Cherokee were recalled over concerns about the vehicles' gear stick

It is believed the 2.5 ton car rolled back down the drive of the 27-year-old’s home and crushed him after he had got out the vehicle.

Thousands of the Jeeps were recalled by the manufacturer after concerns about their gear sticks in July 2012 and December last year.

Fiat Chrysler, who make Jeeps, said in a statement  that it's investigating and it's premature to speculate on the cause of the crash.

They offered sympathies to Yelchin's friends and family.

The problem meant drivers could be left unaware whether their car was in neutral or park when they left the vehicle.

Motorists had to rely on a warning light on the gear stick and a bell as their car door opened.

Jeep made moves to solve the problem by making the warnings clearer when a car was left in neutral.

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, “The affected vehicles ... may not adequately warn the driver when driver’s door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.

“Drivers thinking that their vehicle’s transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.”

Data from the report shows that the problem potentially caused 212 crashes, 308 property damage claims and 41 injuries.

The Sun has contacted Jeep for comment.

Authorities investigating the tragedy have not yet established why Yelchin was out of his car but it is believed the 4x4 rolled back down his driveway's steep incline, ramming him into the pillar.

Friends made the grim discovery when they visited his home in San Fernando Valley at 1am local time on Sunday after he failed to attend a planned rehearsal.

The car was found in neutral with its engine still running.

His publicist has issued a statement following the tragedy: "Anton Yelchin was killed in a fatal traffic collision early this morning.

"His family requests you respect their privacy at this time‎."

There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

LAPD spokeswoman Jenny Houser told the Hollywood Reporter : "It appears he momentarily exited his car and it rolled backward, causing trauma that led to his death."

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Yelchin rose to fame in 2006 film Alpha Dog before securing the role of Kyle Reese in Terminator Salvation, and Chekov in 2009’s Star Trek and 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness.

He was working on a number of projects before his death, including a TV show called Mr Mercedes.

The star had recently completed work on the next instalment, Star Trek Beyond, due to be released next month.

Star Trek's official website and Twitter account has paid tribute to the late actor: "StarTrek.com is deeply saddened to report that Anton Yelchin, Star Trek’s current Chekov, died today, June 19, at the age of 27.

"The actor was killed, in a freak accident, at home in Los Angeles by his own car.

"Yelchin played Chekov in Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness and will be seen next month in Star Trek Beyond."

The tribute continued: "Please join StarTrek.com in offering our condolences to Yelchin’s family, friends, colleagues and fans."

Yelchin was born in Russia although he emigrated to the US as a political refugee with his professional figure skater parents, Irina and Viktor Yelchin, as a baby.

Raised in Los Angeles, Yelchin attended the University of Southern California.

He started acting as a child, scoring his first professional role aged just nine in A Man Is Mostly Water.

Fellow celebrities have begun paying tribute to the actor on social media.

Star Trek co-star John Cho tweeted: "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."

He continued:  " Please send your love to Anton's family right now. They need it."

Actor and co-star Zachary Quinto shared a tribute to his friend on Twitter: "one of the most open and intellectually curious people…"

Comedian Matt Lucas wrote: "Dreadful news about Anton Yelchin.

"I thought he was an amazing actor."

Meanwhile, US actress Anna Kendick has described the Star Trek actor's death as "unreal" and a huge loss".

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• Los Angeles

Watch CBS News

Anton Yelchin, "Star Trek" actor, dead at 27

Updated on: June 19, 2016 / 12:40 PM EDT / CBS/AP

LOS ANGELES -- Anton Yelchin, a charismatic and rising actor best known for playing Chekov in the new "Star Trek" films, has died at the age of 27. He was killed in a fatal traffic collision early Sunday morning, his publicist, Jennifer Allen confirmed.

Yelchin, 27, was struck by his own car as it rolled backward down his driveway in Studio City, according to Los Angeles police Officer Jenny Hosier. The car pinned Yelchin against a brick mailbox pillar and a security fence.

He had gotten out of the vehicle momentarily, but police did not say why he was behind it when it started rolling.

He was on his way to meet friends for a rehearsal, Hosier said. When he didn't show up, the group came to his home and found him dead.

An LAPD spokesperson told CBS News that foul play is not expected.

Yelchin began acting as a child, taking small roles in independent films and various television shows, such as "ER," ''The Practice," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." His breakout big-screen role came opposite Anthony Hopkins in 2001's "Hearts in Atlantis."

Yelchin, an only child, was born in Russia. His parents were professional figure skaters who moved the family to the United States when Yelchin was a baby. He briefly flirted with skating lessons, too, before discovering that he wasn't very skilled on the ice. That led him to acting class.

"I loved the improvisation part of it the most, because it was a lot like just playing around with stuff. There was something about it that I just felt completely comfortable doing and happy doing," Yelchin told The Associated Press in 2011 while promoting the romantic drama "Like Crazy." He starred opposite Felicity Jones.

"(My father) still wanted me to apply to college and stuff, and I did," Yelchin said. "But this is what I wanted."

His biggest role to date has been in the rebooted "Star Trek" films as the heavily accented navigator Chekov, for which he was able to draw on his Russian roots. The third film in the series, "Star Trek Beyond," comes out in July.

"What's great about him is he can do anything. He's a chameleon. He can do bigger movies or smaller, more intimate ones," ''Like Crazy" director Drake Doremus told the AP in 2011. "There are a lot of people who can't, who can only do one or the other. ... That's what blows my mind."

Yelchin transitioned between the big sci-fi franchise and voicing a part for "The Smurfs." He also appeared in more eccentric and artier fare, like Jim Jarmusch's vampire film "Only Lovers Left Alive" and Jeremy Saulnier's horror thriller "Green Room," a cult favorite that came out earlier this year.

The actor's publicist, Jennifer Allen, confirmed his death and said his family requests privacy.

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Anton Yelchin, new Star Trek's Chekov, dies in freak accident

The 27-year-old, who played Chekov in the Star Trek reboot films, dies after being pinned by his own car.

• Ed was a member of the CNET crew that won a National Magazine Award from the American Society of Magazine Editors for general excellence online. He's also edited pieces that've nabbed prizes from the Society of Professional Journalists and others.

Anton Yelchin, aka Star Trek's Pavel Chekov, arrives on the red carpet at the LA premiere of "Star Trek" in 2009. The actor died on Sunday.

Anton Yelchin, the actor known for playing Chekov in the recent series of Star Trek reboot films, died in a freak accident in Los Angeles early Sunday morning.

Left to right: Yelchin as Chekov, Chris Pine as Kirk, John Cho as Sulu.

Yelchin, 27, was killed when his

Friends found Yelchin after he failed to show up for a scheduled rehearsal, Houser said.

The Russian-born actor played Pavel Chekov in 2009's " Star Trek " and 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness," as well as in " Star Trek Beyond ," due out later this year.

Yelchin's Star Trek colleagues took to Twitter on Sunday to express their sorrow, including actors John Cho and Zachary Quinto, who play Sulu and Spock, respectively, "Star Trek Beyond" director Justin Lin and "Star Trek" and "Star Trek Into Darkness" director J.J. Abrams (by way of his production company, Bad Robot):

Update, 12:23 p.m. PT: Adds information from the LAPD; adds Cho's tweet. 12:42: Adds tweets from Lin and Quinto. 1:30: Adds Bad Robot tweet of J.J. Abrams' note.

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Anton Yelchin, actor in ‘Star Trek’ films, dies in freak car accident at age 27

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Actor Anton Yelchin, perhaps best known for his role in the new “Star Trek” films, died early Sunday after his vehicle rolled down his Studio City driveway and trapped the actor against a brick post, authorities confirmed.

Friends went to the 27-year-old actor’s gated hillside home shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday , when he didn’t show up for a rehearsal as expected, L.A. police Officer Jenny Houser told The Times.

Authorities believe Yelchin’s vehicle rolled backward down the steep driveway, Houser said, pinning him against a brick column and security gate.

Investigators with the Los Angeles County coroner’s office concluded that Yelchin’s death was an accident caused by blunt traumatic asphyxia, Lt. Larry Dietz said. It appeared that Yelchin had not properly put his car in park, Dietz added.

Yelchin played the title role in “Charlie Bartlett,” which won Best Feauture Film at Boulder International Film Festival in 2008. Yelchin starred alongside Robert Downey Jr. as a wealthy yet troubled high-schooler.

Yelchin is pictured with co-stars Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban and John Cho in his best-known role playing Chekhov in the 2009 Star Trek reboot.

Selena Barros, an investigator with the coroner’s office, said there were “no obvious suspicious circumstances involved.”

Former classmates and local media gathered Sunday afternoon outside Yelchin’s English-style three-bedroom home, which is partly shielded by mature trees and tucked below a winding hillside street above Ventura Boulevard.

The black metal gate that blocked the home’s sloping driveway appeared bent and damaged.

The publicist Jennifer Allen also confirmed Yelchin’s death and said the actor’s family has asked for privacy.

Yelchin was born March 11, 1989, in Russia, the only son of Viktor Yelchin and Irina Korina. His parents were celebrity figure skaters in the former Soviet Union, but when their son was six months old, they fled to the U.S. and settled in Los Angeles.

“We were afraid for our son,” Viktor Yelchin told The Times in 1989 . “It is a very bad situation over there. I would get angry, too--I’d say, ‘Why should we have to buy things on the black market? Why should we have to stand in line?’”

Yelchin’s parents initially shared an apartment with family but later moved to West Hollywood, an enclave of Russian emigres. His mother’s remarks in 1989 about her young son’s future proved prescient.

“Everyone here wants to make movies,” Irina Korina said. “A woman came up, saw Anton, and said, ‘He’s beautiful. He will be actor.’”

Yelchin began acting as a child, picking up roles on television shows and independent films. He starred in the 2007 crime thriller “Alpha Dog” and was in the teen comedy “Charlie Bartlett.”

But his biggest role to date was in the rebooted “Star Trek” films as the character Chekov. The third installment in the series, “Star Trek Beyond,” comes out in July.

While pursuing an acting career, he also attended a public magnet school in the San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, from 4th through 12th grade, according to two former classmates who paid tribute Sunday afternoon outside Yelchin’s home.

“He didn’t really like the business, but he loved acting,” said the former classmate who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Yelchin, he said, admired global cinema and valued intellectually stimulating discussions on politics and philosophy.

“It was not about celebrity. He was about acting,” the friend said.

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Drake Doremus, who directed Yelchin in the 2011 film “Like Crazy,” praised the late actor for his humor and charm and offered condolences to his family.

“Anton was one of a kind. Such an old soul who was one of the most sincere but also funniest people I have ever met,” Doremus said in a statement. “He taught me what being a humble and hard working artist is all about.”

Doremus added: “His laugh was the best sound in the world, it was so contagious and comforting. He was always up to something to make you laugh especially if you were getting frustrated or being too serious.”

Justin Lin, director of the “Star Trek Beyond,” due out next month, tweeted: “Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.”

J.J. Abrams , who directed Yelchin in 2009’s “Star Trek” and 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness,” tweeted a photo of a handwritten note that reads: “You were brilliant. You were kind. You were funny as hell. And you weren’t here nearly long enough. Missing you, JJ.”

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[email protected]

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Times staff writer Tre’vell Anderson contributed to this report.

12:07 p.m.: This article was updated with more background.

11:35 a.m. : This article was updated with staff reporting.

This article was originally published with Associated Press reporting at 11 a.m.

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The Tragic Death Of Anton Yelchin

At only 27 years old , actor Anton Yelchin died in a freak accident in his own driveway in Los Angeles in June 2016. He found himself pinned between a pillar and a fence after his car started rolling backward, according to BBC News . It appeared that Yelchin had gotten out of the vehicle, but had not put the car into park correctly (via CBS News ). The Los Angeles County coroner's office determined that cause of death was "blunt traumatic asphyxia." The young performer, known for such films as 2009's " Star Trek ," was basically crushed to death by his own car.

Born on March 11, 1989, in what is now St. Petersburg, Russia, Yelchin had begun his career with small roles in such TV shows as "ER" and "The Practice" when he was only a child (via  People magazine). He eventually graduated to more substantial projects, including a leading role in 2007's "Charlie Bartlett." Yelchin soon landed his most high-profile part, bringing his own take to the part of Pavel Chekov in J.J. Abrams' revival of "Star Trek." After Yelchin's death, Abrams took to Twitter to remember the actor, tweeting "You were kind. You were funny as hell, and supremely talented. And you weren't here nearly long enough" (via BBC ).

Anton Yelchin's death led to a lawsuit

Questions quickly rose up about Yelchin's vehicle, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Apparently, the 2014 and 2015 models of this car had been involved in numerous accidents as its "e-shift" feature made it hard for drivers to tell whether they had put their cars into park or not (via CBS News ). Victor and Irina Yelchin, the distraught parents of the young actor, pursued legal action against Fiat Chrysler, the company that manufactured the Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to an Associated Press report (via USA Today ). "In spite of our unbelievable grief, we decided to come here to prevent other families from the same tragedy," Victor Yelchin said. The Yelchins reached a settlement with the carmaker in 2018.

Yelchin's final appearance as Pavel Chekov was in 2016's "Star Trek Beyond," which premiered not long after his fatal accident. He had several more films released after his death, including the 2017 independent drama "Thoroughbreds" and the 2017 mystery "We Don't Belong Here." Fans also got to see another side to the late performer. He had several posthumous exhibitions of his photography, including a show at the De Buck Gallery in New York City (via W magazine). According to his official website , Yelchin said that "I was drawn to photography as an extension of film, and the beauty of film is that it's a sensuous, fetishistic medium." A collection of his photography has been published as the 2019 book "In Case of Fire."

Kenneth Mitchell, 'Star Trek: Discovery' and 'Captain Marvel' actor, dies at 49 after ALS diagnosis

Kenneth Mitchell, the actor who starred in "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Captain Marvel," died Saturday. He was 49 years old. 

“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son, and dear friend to many,” his family said in a statement shared on Instagram. 

Mitchell died after a 5 ½-year struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. 

Despite the “series of awful challenges” Mitchell faced as a result of the disease, his family said, he “managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment.” 

Mitchell, born Nov. 24, 1974, in Toronto, rose to fame for his portrayal of the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on "Star Trek: Discovery," and for playing Joseph Danvers in "Captain Marvel." 

He also acted in the hockey drama "Miracle" and appeared on "Grey’s Anatomy," "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds," among others. 

The “Star Trek” universe paid tribute to Mitchell on its website Sunday, saying it was “deeply saddened” by his passing. 

“The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world,” it said. 

His family remembered him, among other things, as a “hope seeker,” “dream believer,” “beach walker” and “garden grower,” but most of all as a “proud father.” 

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and their children, Lilah and Kallum. His family said he requested that any gifts be directed toward research for the disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. 

According to a passage Mitchell wrote and shared in the tribute, he wished to be buried under the roots of a tree, "so I can be soaked up, all my matter, my energy, my love, my laughter, my tears and I want to reach up through the branches and touch the night sky.”

Mike Gagliardi is a researcher with the NBC News Network Desk.

All of the Major ‘Star Trek’ Cast Members Who’ve Died Over the Years

• By Robin Zabiegalski
• Updated Jul 7, 2021 at 11:48am

NASA via Getty Images International Space Station astronaut Terry Virts make the Vulcan salute from "Star Trek" and the character Spock,, who was played by Leonard Nimoy, while orbiting the Earth on the International Space Station in space.

The “ Star Trek ” family has endured for almost 55 years. Many of the members of that family are still alive and well . Some of them are still working in the Trekverse . Others have moved on .

However, several members of the “Star Trek” family have passed on. These great losses were felt by both the actors in the “Star Trek” family and the fandom. Luckily, their legacies will never be forgotten.

These are all of the major “Star Trek” cast members who’ve died over the years.

DeForest Kelly, 1920-1999

DeForest Kelly was one of the founding members of the “Star Trek” family. He played Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in “ Star Trek: The Original Series .” After landing the role on TOS, Kelly devoted his career to Trek, appearing in all of the TOS movies . He also became a regular on the convention circuit, where he was beloved by fans for his kind demeanor and attentiveness.

Kelly died on June 11, 1999, after a long battle with stomach cancer.

James Doohan, 1920-2005

Mark Mainz/Getty Images

James Doohan was also one of the first members of the “Star Trek” family. He brought to life the Enterprise’s chief engineer Montgomery Scott, more commonly known as Scotty. Like Kelly, Doohan dedicated the rest of his life to “Star Trek” and its fandom.

Doohan passed away on July 20, 2005, from complications of pneumonia and Alzheimers. Doohan suffered from several chronic illnesses in the last years of his life, which were caused by chemical exposures he endured during his service in World War II. Before he became a Trek hero, Doohan was a real-life war hero.

Doohan is one of the few “Star Trek” cast members who went to space posthumously. His ashes were smuggled aboard the International Space Station.

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, 1932-2008

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Majel Barrett-Roddenberry , the wife of “Star Trek’s” creator Gene Roddenberry , was one of the most prolific Trek actors in the franchise’s history. She played three major roles in the Trekverse — Number One in the original pilot, Nurse/Dr. Christine Chapel in TOS, and Lwaxana Troi in “ Star Trek: The Next Generation ” and “ Star Trek: Deep Space Nine .” She also voiced several characters for “Star Trek: The Animated Series,” and served as the voice of all the Starfleet computers in every classic Trek show.

Barrett-Roddenberry was known to fans as the First Lady of Trek, and she devoted her life to preserving her husband’s creation.

She died on December 18, 2008, from leukemia. Her ashes were sent into space with her husband’s ashes so they could spend eternity exploring the universe together.

Leonard Nimoy, 1931-2015

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Leonard Nimoy is still one of the most iconic “Star Trek” cast members. He played Spock, the Vulcan first officer and only non-human aboard the Enterprise. Nimoy was instrumental in shaping TOS and the “Star Trek” legacy. He came up with the Live Long and Prosper hand gesture, worked with the TOS writers to shape Vulcan culture, directed two of the movies , and served as the bridge between the original Trek and the Trek that came after .

Nimoy died on February 27, 2015, from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). Nimoy spent the last years of his life as an anti-smoking advocate, working with the CDC and other health organizations to educate the public about smoking-related diseases.

Grace Lee Whitney, 1930-2015

Sebastian Artz/Getty Images

Grace Lee Whitney wasn’t a star on TOS, but she was a major recurring character who made a huge impression on fans. She played Yeoman Janice Rand in the first season. Whitney was written off the show at the end of the first season. She believed this happened because she was sexually assaulted by one of the producers on the show.

For several years, Whitney stayed away from her “Star Trek” family. During that time, she spiraled into addiction. When she got sober, she reconciled with Roddenberry and reunited with her Trek family. She came back for guest appearances in multiple “Star Trek” movies and one episode of “Star Trek: Voyager.”

Whitney died on May 1, 2015, of natural causes. Details about her exact cause of death have never been released.

Anton Yelchin, 1989-2016

Kevin Winter/Getty Images Anton Yelchin, Zachary Quinto, executive/producer Bryan Burk, Eric Bana, Chris Pine, Jimmy Bennett, director/producer J.J. Abrams, actors Zoe Saldana and Karl Urban arrive on the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere of “Star Trek”

Anton Yelchin was only a member of the “Star Trek” family for a very short time. He played Pavel Chekov in the J.J. Abrams “Star Trek” movies .

Yelchin died tragically in a freak automobile accident on June 19, 2016. He was found in his own driveway, pinned between his Jeep and his mailbox. The Jeep was running and left in neutral, allowing it to roll and pin him.

Yelchin died just a month before “ Star Trek: Beyond ” was set to release. His costars mourned his loss while preparing for the premiere.

Aron Eisenberg, 1969-2019

Aron Eisenberg joined the “Star Trek” family as a recurring cast member on “ Deep Space Nine .” He played the Ferengi Nog , Jake Sisko’s best friend, Quark’s nephew, and later, the first Ferengi ever to join Starfleet. Eisenberg appeared in 47 episodes of DS9 and one episode of “ Voyager .”

Eisenberg was born with only one kidney and struggled with health issues for his entire life. He had to start dialysis when he was just 14 years old and had his first kidney transplant when he was 17.

Eisenberg died on September 21, 2019. At the time, the cause of death was not released. In a tribute video to Eisenberg recorded by costar Cirroc Lofton, Eisenberg’s widow Malissa Longo revealed that he’d died of heart failure.

Rene Auberjonois, 1940–2019

Ben Gabbe/Getty Images Adam Nimoy, Nana Visitor, René Auberjonois, Terry Farrell and David Zappone attend the Tribeca Tune In: For the Love Of Spock event during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival

Rene Auberjonois also joined the “Star Trek” family as a cast member on DS9. He played Odo, the shapeshifting chief of security on the space station. He became a regular on the convention circuit after the show ended. Auberjonois was a prolific actor both before and after “Star Trek.” He has over 225 credits on IMDB , and he was actively working right up until his death in 2019.

Auberjonois died on December 8, 2019. His son revealed that he’d died from metastatic lung cancer.

Though these amazing actors are no longer alive, their work in the Trekverse keeps them with us forever.

Follow the Heavy on Star Trek Facebook page for the latest breaking news, rumors and content!

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More heavy on star trek news.

Kenneth Mitchell, Star Trek and Captain Marvel actor, dies aged 49

Kenneth Mitchell, an actor best known for playing several roles in Star Trek: Discovery, has died aged 49.

Mitchell died more than five years after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his family announced on Sunday.

"With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend," the family wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.

"For five-and-a-half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS.

"And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment."

Four unique Star Trekkers

Mitchell is best known for playing four Klingon characters in Star Trek: Discovery from 2017-2021.

During the first two seasons of Discovery, Kenneth played three Klingon characters — Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik.

In season three, Mitchell returned as Aurellio, a character whose storyline carefully incorporated the personal use of a power wheelchair.

In an Instagram post in 2021, the actor said he was "incredibly grateful" to play Aurellio — a scientist born with a genetic defect.

He described the role as "a reminder that despite one's disabilities there is always room for possibility and ability".

Mitchell also starred as Eric Green on the post-apocalyptic TV drama Jericho, and most recently in the 2019 film Captain Marvel.

The Star Trek world paid tribute to Mitchell following the news of his death.

"The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell's family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world," StarTrek.com wrote.

'Like I was in my own movie'

The TV star was diagnosed with ALS in 2018. He revealed it to the public in a 2020 interview with People.

"The moment they told us it was ALS, it was like I was in my own movie," Mitchell said.

"That's what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is being told they have a terminal illness."

The neurodegenerative disease, which causes the loss of physical function, led Mitchell to require the use of a wheelchair from 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and their two children.

What is ALS?

ALS is the most common type of motor neurone disease (MND) that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord .

The disease attacks the body in such a way that it becomes weakened, movement is affected, and it eventually leads to muscle paralysis.

To clarify, MND is the widely used generic term in Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe. ALS is used more generically in the United States, Canada, and South America.

What is ALS caused by?

The Mayo Clinic says:

The exact cause of the disease is still not known . A small number of cases are inherited. Researchers continue to study possible causes of ALS. Most theories centre on a complex interaction between genes and factors in the environment.

What are the symptoms of ALS?

According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing, or slurred speech.

As the condition progresses, the symptoms get worse and include:

• Trouble walking or doing usual daily activities
• Tripping and falling
• Weakness in the legs, feet or ankles
• Hand weakness or clumsiness
• Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
• Weakness associated with muscle cramps and twitching in the arms, shoulders and tongue
• Untimely crying, laughing or yawning
• Thinking or behavioural changes

Eventually, ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe.

Eyesight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch are not affected. Nor are bladder and bowel function.

Is there a cure?

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no cure for this fatal disease .

Half of people with ALS die within 14 to 18 months of diagnosis. However, some people with ALS live 10 years or longer.

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Kenneth mitchell, ‘star trek: discovery’ actor, dies at 49.

The Toronto native, who appeared in shows ranging from 'Jericho' to 'The Astronaut Wives Club,' was diagnosed with ALS in 2018.

By Zoe G Phillips , Borys Kit February 25, 2024 10:20am

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Kenneth Mitchell, known for his portrayal of several characters in Star Trek : Discovery as well as roles in Captain Marvel and Jericho , has died. He was 49.

Mitchell died Saturday in Los Angeles from complications of ALS, his family told The Hollywood Reporter .

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Mitchell played four characters across three seasons of Paramount’s Star Trek: Discovery : Kol, Kol-Sha, Tenavik and Aurellio. He also portrayed a young Captain Marvel’s father in a flashback in Marvel’s Captain Marvel and World War II flyer Deke Slayton in ABC’s The Astronaut Wives Club .

Born in Toronto on Nov. 25, 1974, Mitchell booked his first studio film portraying professional ice hockey player Ralph Cox in Disney’s 2004 Miracle . He later played mayor-turned-sheriff Eric Green on CBS’ Jericho , his first series regular role, starting in 2006. Most recently, he played Joe in FX/Hulu’s The Old Man in 2022.

Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS in 2018. He spoke about the diagnosis in a 2020 interview to People , where he said that “the moment that they told us it was [ALS], it was like I was in my own movie. That’s what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is being told that they have a terminal illness. It was just a complete disbelief, a shock.”

Actor Michael Beach said in a statement later Sunday that “Kenny remained a powerhouse of positivity and humor” as he and his family “dealt with the different awful stages of ALS.”

Being able to work while suffering from the disease was important to Mitchell. Dan Shotz, a showrunner who first worked with Mitchell on  Jericho  where he developed a strong friendship with the actor, cast him for a gig on FX’s 2022 Jeff Bridges drama  The Old Man . Mitchell was in the earlier stages of using a wheelchair and the writers put the character, an FBI base commander, in a wheelchair.

Shotz added, “You meet a lot of actors and talent over the years and people come in and out of your life, but I just knew that he was going to be a person I was always going to be deeply connected to. He changed my life. He taught me how to live life, how to cherish every moment, and how to act with grace under the most difficult of circumstances.”  

Mitchell met his wife, 10 Things I Hate About You actress Susan May Pratt, on the 2001 set of Showtime’s Charms for the Easy Life . They played love interests. The first scene they filmed was their characters’ kissing, and sparks flew onscreen and in real life. They married in May 2006, and had two children, Lilah and Kallum.

Mitchell is survived by Pratt, his children, as well as his parents and in-laws and several nieces and nephews. His family asked that any gifts be directed toward ALS research or his children, the latter via a GoFundMe .

“Kenneth was a giver, a listener, a sentimental and an excellent observer of his surroundings,” his family said. “One of his most endearing qualities as a friend is that Kenny loved to watch others shine. He was a conductor of connecting friends together and thoroughly enjoyed prompting a good story … and boy oh boy did he love to laugh. He absolutely loved to laugh.”

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Kenneth Mitchell: Star Trek and Marvel actor dies aged 49

Mitchell died after battling ALS - also known as motor neurone disease - for more than five years. His family described him as "an inspirational work of art to all the hearts he touched".

Sunday 25 February 2024 19:06, UK

Kenneth Mitchell, an actor who appeared in Captain Marvel and a Star Trek series, has died.

The actor, who was 49, was diagnosed with ALS - also known as motor neurone disease - five and a half years ago.

His family said in a statement on Instagram that Mitchell was "an inspirational work of art to all the hearts he touched".

Mitchell appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including Captain Marvel, in which he played the titular character's father, Joseph Danvers.

Born in Toronto, Canada , Mitchell was married to actress Susan May Pratt and the pair had two children together.

He revealed that he was suffering from ALS in an interview with People magazine in 2020, and said he had been using a powered wheelchair.

In the post on Instagram, his family paid tribute to him as "a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger... and more than anything else, a proud father".

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They added: "Like a massive star exploding with kindness, purity and a particular brand of silly, you were pulled right into his orbit.

"Once captured, Kenny could bathe you in positivity, compassion, thoughtfulness, and hilarity, and make you feel so loved."

Read more from Sky News: Oppenheimer continues awards season domination Pete Doherty says he was 'healthier on heroin'

Mitchell's family also spoke of how he faced "a series of awful challenges" from ALS for five-and-a-half years, rising above each one with grace and commitment to living a full life.

The most common form of motor neurone disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to stop working properly.

It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous New York Yankees baseball player who was forced to retire after developing the condition in 1939.

Those with the illness can have difficulty with walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing.

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Kenneth Mitchell, Known for ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Captain Marvel’ Roles, Dies at 49

Mr. Mitchell, a Canadian actor who appeared on “Star Trek: Discovery,” had A.L.S.

By Livia Albeck-Ripka

Reporting from Los Angeles

Kenneth Mitchell, a Canadian actor known for his roles on the series “Star Trek: Discovery” and the film “Captain Marvel,” died on Saturday. He was 49.

He had lived with the neurological disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S., which causes paralysis and death, for more than five years, according to a statement from Mr. Mitchell’s family posted to his social media.

In “Captain Marvel,” he played the father of the superhero, Carol Danvers. He was also known for portraying Eric Green on the series “Jericho,” Joshua Dodd in the series “Nancy Drew,” a hockey player in the film “Miracle,” and appeared in several other film and television series.

Mr. Mitchell played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on “Star Trek: Discovery,” and voiced several characters in an episode of “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”

In a 2017 interview with StarTrek.com , he said he hoped to make viewers think differently about Klingons, the humanoid warriors whose role in the Star Trek universe has shifted over decades.

“Whether someone is good or bad is all about perspective, and it’s about understanding that culture,” he told StarTrek.com in 2017. “You’ll get to know the Klingons on our show, and then people can decide if we really are the villains.”

Mr. Mitchell lived with his wife, the actress Susan May Pratt, and their children in Los Angeles. He was born on Nov. 25, 1974, in Toronto to Diane and David Mitchell.

In 2018, Mr. Mitchell was diagnosed with A.L.S., according to a statement posted to his social media in August. He revealed his diagnosis in an interview with People Magazine in 2020, saying that from the moment he found out, it was “like I was watching that scene where someone is being told that they have a terminal illness.” He added, “It was just a complete disbelief, a shock.”

Mr. Mitchell said he focused on spending more time with his family and rejected a lead role in a television series that required moving back to Canada. The makers of the series “Nancy Drew” also accommodated for his illness, he told People, using a stunt double when needed. Other roles were created for him that allowed him to be seated, he added.

“This disease is absolutely horrific,” Mr. Mitchell said in the post last year, which accompanied a photo of him watching the sunset from a wheelchair on the beach. “Yet despite all the suffering, there is so much to be grateful for,” he added.

Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife, their children Lilah and Kallum, his parents and other family members, according to the family statement.

Livia Albeck-Ripka is a reporter for The Times based in California. She was previously a reporter in the Australia bureau. More about Livia Albeck-Ripka

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Kenneth Mitchell, Star Trek and Captain Marvel actor, dies aged 49

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Kenneth Mitchell, the Canadian actor known for roles in Jericho , Captain Marvel and Star Trek: Discovery , has died at the age of 49 from complications of ALS .

News of his death was shared by members of the actor’s family on social media.

“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend,” read the statement.

“For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment, to living a full and joyous life in each moment. He lived by the principals that each day is a gift and we never walk alone.”

In 2020, Mitchell revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, sometimes known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a fatal motor neuron disease, in which nerve cells across the spinal cord and brain progressively degenerate.

Mitchell played the character of Joseph Danvers, the father of Brie Larson’s Carol, in the 2019 Marvel movie Captain Marvel .

He played several characters in the sci-fi series Star Trek: Discovery , including the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha and Tenavik. He protrayed the character of Aurellio in the third season, by which time his condition meant that he required the use of a wheelchair; in the series, Aurellio is seen using a hoverchair.

Mitchell also played the Eric Green in CBS’s post-apocalyptic series Jericho.

StarTrek.com shared a tribute to Mitchell following his death , writing: “As Kol, Mitchell hoped to bring a new perspective on Klingon culture to fans through his turn on Discovery. The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world.”

Speaking about his ALS diagnosis, Mitchell recalled to People magazine: “The moment that they told us it was [ALS], it was like I was in my own movie. That’s what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is being told that they have a terminal illness. It was just a complete disbelief, a shock.”

Mitchell is survived by his parents, his wife, Susan, their children, Lilah and Kallum, as well as in-laws, nieces and nephews.

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Kenneth Mitchell, 'Star Trek: Discovery' actor, dies after battle with ALS

Kenneth Mitchell, an actor who appeared in shows like " Star Trek: Discovery " and "Jericho," has died following a battle with ALS . He was 49.

Mitchell's death was confirmed on Sunday in a statement shared to his verified Instagram page . "With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend," the post said.

Mitchell portrayed multiple characters in various episodes of " Star Trek: Discovery ," including a Klingon named Kol, and voiced characters on the animated series "Star Trek: Lower Decks." He also starred as Eric Green on CBS' " Jericho ," and in the 2019 Marvel film " Captain Marvel ," he played Joseph Danvers, father of Carol Danvers ( Brie Larson ), in a flashback scene.

In 2020, Mitchell revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS two years earlier. In an interview with People at the time, he said he had been using a wheelchair since 2019 and was diagnosed in 2018 after he began experiencing twitching in his muscles.

"The moment that they told us it was (ALS), it was like I was in my own movie," Mitchell said. "That's what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is being told that they have a terminal illness. It was just a complete disbelief, a shock."

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

What is ALS the rare disease making it 'impossible' for Roberta Flack to sing?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, is a nervous system disease that "affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord" and causes loss of muscle control, according to the Mayo Clinic .

One of the "Star Trek" characters Mitchell played was Aurellio, who used a hovercraft chair. In an Instagram post in 2021, the actor said he was "incredibly grateful for the inclusion." He described this role as "a reminder that despite one's disabilities there is always room for possibility & ability."

In 2022, he also appeared in the FX series "The Old Man" as a character created for him.

Mitchell is survived by his wife, Susan, and their two children. He previously told People that after his diagnosis, his focus became spending as much time with his family as possible, including giving up a television lead role that would require him to move.

"For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS," the statement shared on his social media said. "And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment. He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone."

The statement concluded: "His life is a shining example of how full one can be when you live with love, compassion, humour, inclusion, and community."

A new ALS drug extends patients' lives by months, giving hope for those facing such a 'brutal illness'

Star Trek FOMO: Discovery Actor Regrets Missing Jonathan Frakes Final Episode

Warning: This Article Contains SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5

• Elias Toufexis regrets missing out on the final Star Trek: Discovery episode directed by Jonathan Frakes.
• L'ak tragically dies in Star Trek: Discovery episode 507 but remains in the storyline through his corpse's preservation.
• Toufexis passed on the opportunity to return for episode 509, and he missed out on Frakes' last episode as director.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 actor Elias Toufexis has serious FOMO about missing out on the final episode directed by Jonathan Frakes. Toufexis played Lak, the renegade Breen in love with Moll (Eve Harlow). Hunted by both the Breen and the USS Discovery as they sought the ancient treasure of the Progenitors, L'ak tragically died in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah" - just 2 episodes before Jonathan Frakes came aboard to direct Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9 , "Lagrange Point".

Although L'ak was dead, Moll kept his corpse in a place of honor aboard the Breen dreadnought, and she transported L'ak's body into a portable pattern buffer to preserve him in the hopes that the Progenitors' power of creation can resurrect L'ak. This meant that while L'ak still appeared in Star Trek: Discovery , Elias Toufexis was no longer wearing the Breen's prosthetics - a fact Elias came to regret when Jonathan Frakes directed Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9 . Read Toufexis' X post below where he reveals his FOMO:

Star Trek: Discovery 's cast and crew didn't know season 5 would be the final season during production, which they found out after filming wrapped.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Returning Cast & New Character Guide

As Burnham seeks the universe's greatest treasure in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, she'll need help from a host of new and returning characters.

What Will Happen To L'ak In Star Trek: Discovery's Finale?

Moll has one chance to bring l'ak back to life..

L'ak's final fate will be decided in Star Trek: Discovery season 5's finale , which is also the final episode of the Paramount+ series. Moll's sole motivation is to find the Progenitors' technology and use it to bring L'ak back to life. Meanwhile, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) is hot on Moll's tail as she fears Moll with give the power of creation to the Breen after she uses it to resurrect L'ak. Both Moll and Burnham vanished through a portal leading to the Progenitors' treasure at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9, "Lagrange Point".

Captain Burnham led an undercover team to steal the portal to the Progenitors' treasure from the Breen in Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 9.

Regardless of what happens to L'ak, Star Trek: Discovery season 5, episode 7, "Erigah" was Elias Toufexis' final episode of the series, barring a surprise appearance in Discovery 's series finale. However, Toufexis admittedly made the call that saw him missing Jonathan Frakes helming Discovery 509, and Elias understandably feels that he missed out on being directed by the Star Trek legend , even if all he had to do was play L'ak's corpse. Judging from the behind-the-scenes photos of Jonathan Frakes' final episode of Star Trek: Discovery , the cast had a great time filming Burnham's action-packed heist of the Breen dreadnought.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is streaming on Paramount+

Cast Blu del Barrio, Oded Fehr, Anthony Rapp, Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Wilson Cruz, Eve Harlow, Mary Wiseman, Callum Keith Rennie

Streaming Service(s) Paramount+

Franchise(s) Star Trek

Writers Alex Kurtzman

Directors Jonathan Frakes, Olatunde Osunsanmi

Showrunner Alex Kurtzman

Where To Watch Paramount+

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Published May 31, 2024

Robin Curtis Looks Back at Star Trek III: The Search for Spock For Its 40th Anniversary

Curtis on portraying Saavik, being directed by Leonard Nimoy, and more!

StarTrek.com

Forty years ago this weekend, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock inherited the monumental task of picking up the tale of Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the U.S.S. Enterprise crew following Spock's tragic death in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan . Written by Harve Bennett and directed by Leonard Nimoy himself, the film dealt with the aftermath of the battle with Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban), the evolution of the newly-created Genesis Planet, and Kirk's unsanctioned jaunt to bring Spock's body and katra — a Vulcan’s living spirit — to be reunited on Mount Seleya.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Complete with Christopher Lloyd's portrayal of a ruthless Klingon commander named Kruge, the original Star Trek series' cast's signature camaraderie, and an adventurous spirit, the third Star Trek film welcomed Robin Curtis to the role of Lieutenant Saavik, the Vulcan officer who accompanied Kirk's son Doctor David Marcus (Merritt Butrick) during his expedition to the Genesis Planet. Curtis was kind enough to speak to StarTrek.com and help us celebrate The Search for Spock 's 40th anniversary by reflecting on her time as Saavik and the rare experience of playing a Vulcan while being directed by Leonard Nimoy.

Four decades later, and Robin Curtis recollects that her respect for Nimoy as a director and collaborator was established the instant they met. "Right out of the gate, I could express nothing but praise for working with him, and it's only gotten better over time. Like good wine, my experience with him has aged well," remarks Curtis. "I look back with such fondness at his sensitivity, his respect for other actors, his ability to orchestrate the existing cast — his fellow coworkers for so many years — and newcomers like myself and Christopher Lloyd."

During her audition for the role of Saavik, Curtis had the unique distinction of hearing Nimoy's insight into what an actor can do to truly become a Vulcan. "Mr. Nimoy took such a lovely, intuitive approach to directing. He said, 'Vulcans have 1,000 years of wisdom behind the eyes,'" says Curtis of Nimoy's early advice regarding the Vulcan nature. "When I was given the role, he told me I should look in the mirror [and practice] talking without using my face to express what I was saying. Being so still and so contained near about did me in, and I thought I was failing so miserably at it that I was going to be fired. I didn't feel the innate knack or confidence that I was nailing it."

The challenge of assuming a Vulcan disposition weighed even more heavily on Curtis' shoulders when placed in context with her desire to deliver an excellent performance. "I was as serious as a heart attack on the set! I didn't speak until I was spoken to, which is totally unlike my normally sociable self. I was very earnest, wanting to show and demonstrate that I was grateful for this part. I wanted to do a good job and hit it out of the park," adds Curtis, who sensed that Nimoy appreciated her devotion to the film and her role as Saavik, as well as her overall work ethic and approach to acting.

In spite of her doubts, Curtis had her morale boosted by a pact she made with the director. "I shook his hand on my very first day of filming, and I said, 'Mr. Nimoy, you seem to think I know what I'm doing. And I need to tell you I do not.' And he said, 'Robin, I will take you every step of the way. I will never take you out on the end of a limb and leave you there.' I said, 'Deal.' And we shook hands on it, and he fulfilled that promise in each and every scene," declares Curtis.

Curtis also attests that there were certain scenes which were easier to approach and more straightforward than others. Those involving Saavik and weighty emotions demanded more scrutiny and attention. For example, while holding Saavik, Kirk's son David Marcus, and a reborn Spock hostage on the Genesis Planet, Kruge ordered one of his soldiers to kill a prisoner in order to demonstrate his conviction toward acquiring the Genesis Device. The sentence was inflicted upon David, and Saavik was forced to report the death to the man's father. "That [moment] filled me with anxiety and dread. How could I possibly say that with the Vulcan demeanor?"

Those complexities also rang true on the other end of the emotional spectrum. With a rapidly aging Spock overwhelmed by the urges of the pon farr , or the Vulcan time of mating, Saavik guided him through the intimate process. This scene, with its close contact and affectionate hand gesture, represented another significant Vulcan hurdle to overcome. "The reverence and enormity and profundity of pon farr , and going into this cave with Spock," begins Curtis. "We came to the set with no sense of what that would look like. [Young Spock actor] Stephen Manley and I were both a little trepidatious about what Lenoard was going to have us do. What would a Vulcan love scene or Vulcan foreplay look like? In fact, I've only just learned recently that the simple gesture that Leonard introduced us to that day, the notion of [the characters] joining their fingers, was originally introduced by Spock's mother and Sarek in the television series."

Behind-the-scenes of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Of course, having pioneered the Vulcan temperament for nearly 20 years by the time The Search for Spock entered production, Nimoy was singularly suited to answer questions about such delicate matters. Whether dealing with Saavik's reaction to David's death, the intimacy of pon farr , or any of Curtis' other scenes, Curtis recalls Nimoy's valuable input. "He would take me aside before every scene, and we'd sit down at the edge of the set on the platform, and I'd say the lines. He would moderate me no differently than we do with our cars with the radio volume. I was so grateful for that," shares Curtis.

Shifting her focus to her overall impression of their professional association, Curtis conveys her appreciation for Nimoy's leadership on the film before admitting she does have one slight regret. "I absolutely love the man. Loved him as a person, loved him as a director, and I'm sorry that I was too shy to even hint or suggest that we would have a friendship outside the realm of the shoots themselves."

While their friendship was largely limited to the production itself, the director did leave an indelible impact on Curtis' personal life. "Leonard Nimoy was aware that my father was battling cancer at the time, and it wasn't looking good," notes Curtis. "The best thing I remember about Star Trek is that it was a colossally beautiful distraction from the agony we were feeling as a family. Leonard Nimoy reminds me of my dad, and they were the same age. And [Nimoy] was so sensitive and kind about the idea that Star Trek was such a gift and a bright light for my family in a time of suffering. Ultimately, my dad lived long enough to see the movie. I went home to be at the Riverside Mall in Utica, New York, with my neighbors and family, and my dad made it to the movie theatre. I will always be grateful for that."

Curtis' thankfulness extends to the many fans who regularly compliment her for her tenure as Saavik in The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home . "I'm flabbergasted at the multitude of ways that [Star Trek] has enriched my life. My heart explodes over the tenacity of the fans and how the franchise only gets better and richer. People are very generous and sentimental about [ The Search for Spock ]. They understood it was part of a triumvirate [of films]," observes Curtis. Referring to her final on-screen moments in The Voyage Home , in which Saavik and Amanda Grayson remain behind on Vulcan, Curtis jokes, "What did she and [Amanda Grayson actor] Jane Wyatt get up to? [ laughs ] What happened with the pon farr ? Did she end up being pregnant? I think the fans were just as curious as I was."

Perceiving her connection with the fans as a gift, Curtis contemplates an unexpected phone call she received from a medical facility in Cleveland, Ohio. A young man who she had once met at a convention had been taken off of dialysis and given only two weeks to live. The staff member contacting Curtis informed her that the man's last wish was to share a meal with her. "I had shown him some kindness at a convention in Ohio in the '90s, and he remembered," reveals Curtis, who didn't hesitate to make the five-hour drive to Cleveland that very same day. Before leaving, Curtis advised the caller, "You tell him I'll be there for dinner, and I wouldn't miss it for the world." Arriving Friday evening, Curtis spent every waking hour of that weekend with the fan. After departing on Sunday, they talked each day until he passed the following week. "That was a gift to me, and I like to think maybe a small gift to him," explains Curtis, noting that their connection has endured via her ongoing friendship with the fan's aunt.

The Search for Spock clearly meant a lot to those who watched it repeatedly, but Curtis' own perception of the movie has evolved since its release. "I saw the film at the time and then never saw it again for so many years. My memory of it was that it was depressing [ laughs ]," confesses Curtis. "The fact of the matter is, everything dies. Genesis dies, the ship dies, Kirk's son dies. Spock comes back to life, but he starts out dead [ laughs ]." As was the case for many of us, the pandemic changed everything for Curtis. "We were all in our houses and seeking connection. I felt like I needed to go back, so I rewatched [ The Next Generation two-parter] 'Gambit,' and I rewatched the movie. And I thought, 'This is funny!' There's a lot of good parts in this film that aren't depressing. I don't know why I had that impression stuck in my brain, but maybe it's because my involvement was very serious. Everything I had to do dealt with great disappointment and loss and tragedy."

Looking back, Curtis cites Sarek's mind meld with Admiral Kirk as her favorite scene, describing the sentiment behind the characters' interaction, the cinematography, and the close up of the actors' faces as "gorgeous." Though she felt the mood on the set of The Voyage Home was more joyful and playful — after all, she still has Polaroids of herself making funny faces with Walter Koenig, George Takei, Kirk Thatcher, and other cast and crew, Curtis maintains fond memories of working on The Search for Spock . "The cast were so generous and classy with me, and they understood the weight upon my shoulders as the newcomer. They were reassuring. I remember Walter Koenig told me to keep a journal. And of course, like a jackass, I didn't listen. [ laughs ]," jests Curtis. "Now, I wish I had kept one."

The Search for Spock 's conclusion exuded hope and wonder, as Spock's body and katra were reunited in a ceremony on Mount Seleya. Following his resurrection, Spock passes by each crew member in attendance, eventually finding himself embraced by the group. Although a glance between Spock and Saavik was fleeting, much preparation went into that moment. "[Nimoy] approached me before the scene and asked, 'How would you feel if you were to suddenly come upon somebody that you loved or were intimate with on a New York City street? How would you imagine that?' In the matter of a split second, so many thoughts went through my mind," says Curtis. "First, what a personal question to ask. Then I felt tenderness, embarrassment, sentimentality, nostalgia, and vulnerability all at once. I looked up at him, then looked down. He said, 'That’s it!' And I thought, ' Oh, okay, I love you! ' It is so lovely and simple when a director does that. No arm wrestling had to happen, he just asked me a simple question and I got [the scene]."

As for The Search for Spock 's ending, when Spock's friends crowd around him on Vulcan, Curtis recollects that she and the other cast members were given a general direction to "be encouraged by that moment and confident that his katra had been restored. Sometimes we don't work those moments out, and it's all on the fly. It was very much off-the-cuff." Whether meticulously planned or inspired by the moment, these scenes combined to create a film that has stood the test of time and established itself as a crucial installment in the pantheon of Star Trek stories.

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Jay Stobie (he/him) is a freelance writer, author, and consultant who has contributed articles to StarTrek.com, Star Trek Explorer, and Star Trek Magazine, as well as to Star Wars Insider and StarWars.com. Learn more about Jay by visiting JayStobie.com or finding him on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms at @StobiesGalaxy.

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'Star Trek' actor George Takei is determined to keep telling his Japanese American story

The incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans, including children, who were labeled enemies during World War II, has traumatized and galvanized the Japanese American community over the decades

TOKYO — The incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans , including children, labeled enemies during World War II is an historical experience that has traumatized, and galvanized, the Japanese American community over the decades.

For George Takei, who portrayed Hikaru Sulu aboard the USS Enterprise in the “Star Trek” franchise, it’s a story he is determined to keep telling every opportunity he has.

“I consider it my mission in life to educate Americans on this chapter of American history,” he said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

He fears the lesson about the failure of U.S. democracy hasn’t really been learned, even today, including among Japanese Americans.

“The shame of internment is the government’s. They’re the ones that did something unjust, cruel and inhuman. But so often the victims of the government actions take on the shame themselves,” he said.

Takei, 87, has a new picture book out for children ages 6 to 9 and their parents, called “My Lost Freedom.” It’s illustrated in soft watercolors by Michelle Lee.

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Takei was 4 years old when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on Feb. 19, 1942, two months after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor , declaring anyone of Japanese descent an enemy of the United States and forcibly removing them from their West Coast homes.

Takei spent the next three years behind barbed wires, guarded by soldiers with guns, in three camps: the Santa Anita racetrack, which stunk of manure; Camp Rohwer in a marshland; and, from 1943, Tule Lake, a high-security segregation center for the “disloyal.”

“We were seen as different from other Americans. This was unfair. We were Americans, who had nothing to do with Pearl Harbor. Yet we were imprisoned behind barbed wires,” Takei writes in the book.

Throughout it all, his parents are portrayed as enduring the hardships with a quiet dignity. His mother sewed clothes for the children. They made chairs out of scrap lumber. They played baseball. They danced to Benny Goodman. For Christmas, they got a Santa who looked Japanese.

Takei’s is a remarkable story of resilience and a pursuit of justice, repeated throughout the Japanese American experience.

It’s a story that’s been told and retold, in books like the 1973 “Farewell to Manzanar” by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston; “Only What We Could Carry,” edited by Lawson Fusao Inada more than 20 years ago; and “The Literature of Japanese American Incarceration,” which just came out, compiled by Frank Abe and Floyd Cheung.

David Inoue, executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League, headquartered in Washington, D.C., believes the message of Takei’s book remains relevant.

He said discrimination persists today, as seen in the anti-Asian attacks that flared with the COVID-19 pandemic . Inoue said his son has been taunted in school in the same way he was growing up.

“One of the important things about having books like this is that it humanizes us. It tells stories about us that show we’re just like any other family. We like to play baseball. We have pets,” Inoue said.

Takei and his family were sent to Tule Lake in northern California because his parents answered “No” to key questions in a so-called loyalty questionnaire.

Question No. 27 asked if they were willing to serve in the U.S. armed forces. Question No. 28 asked whether they swore allegiance to the U.S. and would forswear allegiance to the Japanese emperor. Both were controversial questions for people who had been stripped of their basic civil rights and labeled enemies.

“Daddy and Mama both thought that the two questions were stupid,” Takei writes in “My Lost Freedom.”

“The only honest answers were No and No.”

Takei said the questions did not explain what would become of families with young children. The second question was also a no-win, he said, because his parents felt there was no loyalty to Japan to denounce.

Tule Lake was the largest of the 10 camps, holding 18,000 people.

Young men who answered “Yes” became part of the all-Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which fought in Europe while their families remained incarcerated. The 442, with their famous “Go for Broke” motto, is the most decorated unit of its size and length of service in U.S. military history.

“They were determined to prove themselves and get their families out of barbed wires,” Takei said. “They are our heroes. I know I owe so much to them.”

After Japan surrendered, Takei and his family, like all Japanese Americans freed from the camps , were each given $25 and a one-way ticket to anywhere in the U.S. Takei’s family chose to start all over again in Los Angeles.

In 1988, the Civil Liberties Act — after years of effort and testimonies by Japanese Americans, including Takei — granted redress of $20,000 and a formal presidential apology to every surviving U.S. citizen or legal resident immigrant of Japanese ancestry incarcerated during World War II.

Takei’s voice became choked when he recalled how his father did not live to see it.

He noted with pride the diversity depicted in “Star Trek,” a TV series that started in the mid-1960s and developed a devout following. There, the crew that flew together through the galaxies was of various backgrounds.

“Star Trek” writer, creator and producer Gene Roddenberry wanted to portray the turbulent times and the civil rights movement on a TV show but had to do it metaphorically to make it acceptable, Takei said.

“Different people, different ideas, different taste, different food. He wanted to make that statement. Each of the characters was supposed to represent a part of this planet,” Takei said.

Takei recalled how his father taught him how the government “of the people, by the people and for the people,” as Abraham Lincoln put it in his Gettysburg Address, could also prove a weakness.

“All people are fallible, even a great president like Roosevelt. He got stampeded by the hysteria of the time, the racism of the time. And he signed Executive Order 9066,” Takei said.

Yuri Kageyama is on X: https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

Martin Starger, ‘Sophie’s Choice’ and ‘Nashville’ Producer, Dies at 92

By Selena Kuznikov

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Martin Starger , the first president of ABC Entertainment who went on to produce such films as “Sophie’s Choice” and Robert Altman’s “ Nashville ,” has died. He was 92.

Starger died of natural causes Saturday in his Los Angeles home, his niece, casting director Ilene Starger, announced. 

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Later, Starger expanded his career into films and theater. While at ABC, he championed Altman’s 1975 film “Nashville,” which he executive produced alongside Jerry Weintraub. This started his producing career and he later founded his own production company, Marstar Productions. He produced or executive produced the TV movies “Friendly Fire,” “Escape From Sobibor,” “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “The Merchant of Venice” and “The Elephant Man.”

Starger’s film credits, as producer or executive producer, include “Movie Movie,” “Mask,” “On Golden Pond,” “The Muppet Movie,” “The Great Muppet Caper,” “Autumn Sonata” and “Sophie’s Choice.” His Broadway credits include “Sly Fox,” “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Starlight Express” and the original production of “Merrily We Roll Along.”

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Wordle vs worldle: new york times files lawsuit over similarity between hit games, scott wampler dies: co-host of ‘kingcast’ podcast on stephen king.

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Scott Wampler , the co-host of the popular podcast Kingcast about the works of Stephen King, was found dead today at his home in Austin. No details were immediately available, including his age or cause of death.

Co-host Eric Vespe posted online about the news.

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“Scott Wampler passed away today,” he wrote. “He was my friend, co-host, and partner in crime. I’m still in shock. I don’t know many details, but I know it was sudden and he was with friends.”

The Kingcast podcast invites famous artists to discuss their choice of works by horrormeister King. Guests have included Elijah Wood, directors David Lowery and Guillermo del Toro and even King himself — after a few years and 108 episodes.

Wampler proudly recounted the moment with King.

“King told me to get a life after I asked him a deeply nerdy question about the biological relationship between three monsters from various novels he’d written,” Wampler said in an interview with the Dallas Observer. “[It was] a direct quote from the old  SNL  sketch where William Shatner loses his patience with a bunch of nerdy  Star Trek  fans. Spoken entirely in jest, of course, but a moment so good we singled it out and used it to promote the episode.”

Wampler and Vespe worked together as film journalists before embarking on the podcast.

“It was like one of the only things that Eric felt qualified to do a podcast about because he was so well-read, and I had read all the books,” Wampler said. “Stephen King books were something we were already talking about anyway.”

We lost Scott Wampler ( @ScottWamplerRIP ) today. He was one of the brightest lights in my film community. Always engaging, highly intelligent and disarmingly funny. This is a very sad day for all of us who knew him. He will be greatly missed. — N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) May 31, 2024

Scott Wampler passed away today. He was my friend, co-host, and partner in crime. I’m still in shock. I don’t know many details, but I know it was sudden and he was with friends. — Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) May 31, 2024

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