Julian Sands in the 1985 film A Room With A View. Photo: GOLDCREST FILMS INTERNATIONAL / AFP
A body has been found in the remote California wilderness where actor Julian Sands disappeared in January.
A body discovered by hikers about 10am Saturday local time in wilderness near Mount Baldy in Southern California has been taken to the coroner's office for identification, the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department said in a statement.
The remains have not been identified as the missing actor, but searches for Sands have been ongoing in the area, which has been covered in heavy snow from the North American winter.
Sands, 65, is known for his roles in popular films including Leaving Las Vegas, Warlock, Ocean's 13, Arachnophobia and the TV series 24 and Smallville.
He also co-starred in the 1985 historical romance A Room With A View, which was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture.
The British actor was in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains when he was reported missing 13 January on the 3000-metre peak east of Los Angeles.
Police said they had found his car near where he was reported missing.
Actor Julian Sands in 2019. Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP
Phone pings appeared to show he was on the move two days after he was reported missing, police have said.
Sands' family released a statement on Friday NZ time and said they were "deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian".
"We continue to hold Julian in our hearts, with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer."
Julian Sands in the 1991 movie 'Arachnophobia.' Photo: HOLLYWOOD PICTURES / AMBLIN ENTE
Sands has spoken previously about his love for hiking and mountain climbing, and said in 2020 he was happiest "close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning".
- RNZ w/wire services