STAR Trek actor Jon Paul Steuer has died at the age of 33.
The former child star played Alexander Rozhenko in The Next Generation saga of the sci-fi favourite as well as landing the role of Quentin Kelly in 90s sitcom Grace Under Fire.
Mr Steuer, also known as Jonny P Jewels when he moved from acting to a career in music and restaurants, died on New Years Day.
His bandmates in the group P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S confirmed his passing in a heartbreaking tribute.
They wrote: "It is with heavy hearts and saddened minds that we announce the passing of our dear friend and singer Jonny Jewels, AKA Jon Paul Steuer.
"The addition of Jonny to our dysfunctional band family was one of the best choices that we have ever made, and he brought a much needed sense of fun and lightheartedness to everything we did.
"He was only with us for a little more than a year, but we managed to cram a lifetime of great experiences into his tenure as our singer: dozens shows at home in Portland and across several states, an amazing European tour, and our best full-length release yet.
"We've lost our singer, but far, far more than that we've lost a friend. Rest in peace, Jonny...we love you. Jon Paul Steuer March 27, 1984 - January 1, 2018."
A cause of death is yet to be determined according to the Willamette Week, which broke the tragic news.
Jon was born in California in March 1984 and began his acting career at just three years old.
He played Klingon Alexander - son of Worf and Ambassador K'Ehleyr - in 1990.
Following his Star Trek appearances he went on to other TV roles before starring in Grace Under Fire.
But the series was shortlived amid an alleged substance abuse scandal involving the show's star, actress Brett Butler, and Jon quit acting at 12.
He said in a 2015 interview about his acting days: "I wanted to forge on with acting after quitting the show, and I went out on a few interviews.
"But even then they'd turn into question-and-answer sessions with casting agents about Grace Under Fire.
"I was kind of blown away by how unprofessional people inside the industry were. It really soured me. I didn't want that kind of attention."
Jon then moved into music under his alter ego Jonny P Jewels and later opened a successful vegan restaurant in Portland, Oregon.
The official Star Trek Online Twitter paid tribute, writing: "Rest in Peace, Jon Paul Steuer, the first actor to play Alexander in TNG. You will be deeply missed."
This story was originally published in The Sun and is reprinted with permission.
