British actor Julian Sands identified as one of two hikers reported missing in California mountains

A British actor has been reported missing in the California mountains.

Julian Sands, best known for his roles in the 1989 film Warlock, Naked Lunch (1991) and Ocean's 13 (2007), has been identified as one of two hikers who disappeared in the San Gabriel Mountains over the past week.

Police confirmed that they had been looking for the 65-year-old since he was reported missing in the Mt. Baldy area last Friday (13 January).

Search and rescue crews had to be pulled back from the mountain range over the weekend following concerns over the risk of an avalanche.

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However, drones and helicopters were able to continue to search in their place.

A spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department said: "On Friday, January 13, at about 7:30 pm, a hiker, identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area.

“Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue crews responded and began a search. Because of avalanche risks and trail conditions, the ground crews were pulled off the mountain on Saturday evening.

“However, we continue to search by helicopter and drones when the weather permits.”

Speaking previously about his passion for mountain climbing, Sands told the Yorkshire Post: "And, you know what? Mountain climbing and film making are very connected.

"There’s always another mountain. And ultimately the point of climbing a mountain is that the mountain is within. And I think that’s true, too, of the acting experience."

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Sands shares a son with Sarah Sands, who he was married to between 1984 and 1987.

He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.

Fellow hiker Bob Gregory was also reported missing by his family on Monday (16 January).

Mt Baldy is considered to be one of the most dangerous landscapes in the US.

Over the past few years, a number of people have died while hiking the trails there.

Back in 2019, experienced climber Sreenivas Mokkapati, 52, of Irvine, died on the mountain after losing his group.

The search even had to be halted after volunteer searcher, Tim Staples, 32, fell and died on the mountain.

Two years earlier, 78-year-old Seuk Doo Kim, who had climbed the mountain over 700 times, also fell and died.