Star Actor Dead At 51 After Tragic Plane Crash

Just a week into 2024 the world has tragically lost another star, this time in a horrific plane crash.

Christian Oliver, star of “Speed Racer,” was killed along with his two young daughters when their aircraft went down while taking off from a Caribbean island on Thursday. He was 51.

Just days before his death, Oliver was extolling his island getaway as “paradise” in an Instagram post where he captioned a picture of a majestic sunset.

“Let love rule,” he posted. “Wishing all of you the best for 2024!

“Greetings from somewhere in paradise! To community and love … 2024 her[e] we come!”

Page Six told officials that the actor, whose real name is Christian Klepser, was on the flight with his daughters Annik, 12, and Madita, 10, when they “plummeted into the ocean.” The plane’s pilot Robert Sachs also perished in the incident.”

Oliver and his kids were flying from the island of Bequia to nearby St. Lucia when their single-engine plane “experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean,” the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police said.

Local outlet Searchlight added that the pilot made a last-minute emergency transmission radioing for help to the control tower at Bequia just minutes before the crash.

First responders raced to the scene, recovering all four bodies.

Fans of the actor quickly amassed a flurry of tributes on his Instagram posts.

“I hope your heaven is now your paradise 🤍🖤,” one person commented.

“My sincere condolences to his family and to all who are affected by this tragedy,” another wrote. “A big hug for the children’s mom. I wouldn’t dare to imagine your pain.”

“This post is particularly heartbreaking 💔,” a third added.

Other notable roles held by Oliver over the years included as actor or producer in “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” “Valkyrie” and “Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny.” He had previously teased his latest production, “Forever Hold Your Peace,” which wrapped production in December.

Oliver’s death came on the heels of the passing of “Starsky and Hutch” actor and singer David Soul, 80, who died last week after a battle with an undisclosed illness. “Parasite” director Lee Sun-kyun was found dead late last month, another blow to Hollywood during the holiday season.