Actor Julian Sands Goes Missing On Inland Empire's Mt. Baldy

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — Authorities confirmed Wednesday that a search-by-air for British actor Julian Sands was continuing in the Inland Empire's Mt. Baldy community but crews were waiting for dangerous, wintry conditions to improve before another ground search is conducted.

The 65-year-old North Hollywood resident was reported missing by family at about 7:30 p.m. Friday after he did not return from hiking in the Baldy Bowl area, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez.

Search and rescue personnel responded and began a search but, due to trail conditions and the risk of avalanche, ground crews were pulled off the mountain Saturday evening, Rodriguez said.

"However, we continue to search by helicopter and drones when weather permits. We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews," she confirmed by email.

Rodriguez said conditions are treacherous.

"It is our recommendation that people stay away from that area," she explained. "It is extremely dangerous and even experienced hikers are getting in trouble."

It's unclear how much hiking experience Sands has. Mt. Baldy is a 10,064-foot summit in the San Gabriel Mountains, on the border of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Snowfall from recent storms has been heavy in the area, prompting warnings from authorities. Overnight low temperatures were forecast below freezing for the rest of the week.

Sands has appeared has appeared in dozens of films since the 1980s, including critically acclaimed projects such as the "The Killing Fields," "A Room with a View," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," and "Leaving Las Vegas." On television, he is known for playing Vladimir Bierko in "24," Jor-El in "Smallville," and as Yulish Rabitov in "Banshee."

Sands was born in the United Kingdom. He is married and has three children.

Over the last four weeks, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue teams have responded to 14 rescue missions on Mt Baldy and in the surrounding area. The operations were for lost, stranded and/or injured hikers. Two hikers did not survive after falling and injuring themselves, according to an advisory released Wednesday by the sheriff's department.

"Please know the current conditions on Mt. Baldy are adverse and extremely dangerous," the advisory stated. "Due to the high winds, the snow has turned to ice making hiking extremely dangerous. Sheriff’s Search and Rescue efforts are often hampered by poor weather along with dangerous avalanche conditions. The recent storms that brought the snow and ice conditions are not favorable for hikers, even those that feel they have a high level of experience."