04 February 2023 , 09:27
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The search for missing British actor Julian Sands is now continuing “intermittently” three weeks after he disappeared while hiking in California.
Julian, best known for his roles in 24 and Smallville, was reported missing on January 13 when he failed to return from the Mount Baldy region of the San Gabriel mountains.
Numerous searches for the 65-year-old, who also starred in films A Room With A View, Arachnophobia and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, have since been taken on foot and air by local and state-level agencies.
Bad weather in the area hampered the search, which would usually be downgraded to a ‘passive search’ within 10 days of someone going missing.
But aerial divisions in California say they are continuing to patrol the skies as rescue efforts to find Julian reach the third week mark.
Julian Sands search continues five weeks after actor's disappearance
Julian is best known for his roles in 24 and Smallville (AFP via Getty Images)Get all the biggest showbiz news straight to your inbox.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department told the Press Association: “Julian Sands has now been missing for three weeks.
“Our Aviation Division continues to patrol that area, intermittently, in search of Mr Sands.
“Typically, we search for 10 days before downgrading to a passive search. In this case, with the weather precluding a continuous search, we extended those plans.
“While weather and mountain conditions continue to be an issue, we will resume ground searches once weather conditions permit and as the snow melts.”
The actor is an experienced hiker who friends say 'liked a challenge' (AFP via Getty Images)Rescue teams have also used a Recco device, which is able to detect electronics and credit cards, in the hope of finding Julian.
Police were able to confirm the actor was still on the move two days after he was reported missing from pings on his phone.
But there has been no contact since then, suggesting the worst could have happened to the dad-of-three.
The extremely dangerous mountain range has claimed the lives of two other people in recent weeks.
The mountain range where Julian has gone missing (Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)Last weekend, Julian’s good friend and hiking partner, actor Kevin Ryan said he feared “something has gone wrong”.
Julian Sands missing in US mountain range as fears grow for British actor
The 38-year-old, who worked on US drama series Crossbones with Julian, called him “the most advanced hiker I know”.
He said: “For me, each day that does go by puts more pressure and I guess brings a lot of doubt in.
"But Julian is such an advanced hiker. It’s what he did. His whole life he was climbing mountains. It was a true passion of his.”
Kevin explained Julian would have seen it as a "challenge" if there were poor weather conditions on the trail as "he likes to push himself."
“He is beyond experienced and I’m hoping that he’s tucked away somewhere and can pull through,” he added.