Hard-Driven Facts About Anton Yelchin, The Actor Taken Too Soon
Hollywood actor Anton Yelchin had a drive to succeed like few others. Sadly, a freak accident at his own home cut his life—and career—tragically short.
1. He Knew It Would Be Short
Anton Yelchin arrived in America from Russia and, against the odds, became a movie star. He seamlessly moved between mega-blockbusters and arthouse indies. He seemed both comfortable as a leading man and in supporting roles.
And above all else, he worked at an manic, unsustainable pace. It turns out, Yelchin had a reason to fear his career might be cut short...
2. They Held Them Back
Anton Yelchin was born in Leningrad, Russia on March 11, 1989. His parents were both high-profile figure skaters—but that didn't mean their life was easy. Before Yelchin was born, the Russian government had forbidden Yelchin’s parents from participating in the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo Japan—and Yelchin believes he knows the disturbing reason why.
3. They Suffered
Yelchin's Jewish grandparents had suffered horrific persecution under Stalin, and he always believed religious oppression was the same reason they kept his parents out of the Olympics.
In typical fashion, the government never revealed the real reason.
But Yelchin’s parents had a plan to take their son and escape Russia for America. At that time, they had no idea that a career in Hollywood would be his future.
4. He Made A Big Move
In September 1998, when Yelchin was just six months old, his parents packed him up—along with two of his grandparents—and moved to the US. Because of the family’s hardships in Russia, the US government offered them refugee status.
Mom and Dad quickly got jobs in the figure skating world and Anton…well, he got a strange premonition at a young age.
