Julian Sands: British actor identified as hiker missing in southern California

A hiker reported as missing in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California has been named as British actor Julian Sands.

The 65-year-old actor was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area on Friday evening, with searches by local authorities continuing over the weekend.

He is known for his roles in films A Room With A View, Leaving Las Vegas and Warlock, as well as TV appearances on 24, Smallville and Banshee.

It comes as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department urged hikers to “think twice and heed warnings” following treacherous weather in the region.

“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,” a spokesperson for the department said in a statement.

“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.”

The spokesperson said additional ground searches would be scheduled when the weather improved and conditions were safer for rescue crews.

Sands, who most recently played the chief medical officer in the 2021 Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi-led drama Benediction, has lived in Los Angeles since 2020.

From 1984 to 1987 he was married to future Evening Standard and Today editor Sarah Sands, with whom he shares a son. He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.