UPDATED 6.55am: Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin has died at the age of 27, his publicist confirmed.

Police sources told TMZ that the body of the Russian-born actor was found by a friend on his driveway in San Fernadino, California, after apparently being hit by his own car.

Yelchin, who played Mr Chekov in the Star Trek films, was discovered at around 1am on Sunday morning local time, pinned between his car and a brick mail box, which was attached to a security gate.

The car was in neutral at the time with the engine still running, with the source adding that the driveway had a steep incline.

The friend had visited the home after growing concerned with Yelchin failed to attend a planned rehearsal earlier in the evening.

Yelchin's friend actress Anna Kendrick tweeted her distress after learning of his death.

"This is unreal," the actress wrote. "Anton Yelchin is such a talent. Such a huge loss."

Kiwi actor Karl Urban wrote on Twitter early this morning: "I can't believe it. I'm f**n hurting bad!''