Walter Koenig, actor who played Chekov on original ‘Star Trek’ series, dies at 90 - NBC News

Walter Koenig, the actor who played Chekov on the original “ Star Trek ” television series, died as one of the final surviving cast members of the beloved show, his representative confirmed Monday.

Koenig died at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, talent agent Zachery McGinnis said in a statement.

Original 'Star Trek' actor Walter Koenig dies at 90

“Today we mourn the passing of Walter Koenig, whose talent, warmth, and unforgettable performances left a lasting mark on generations of fans around the world,” McGinnis said.

“Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit. Beyond Star Trek, his long and distinguished career showcased his versatility as an actor and his genuine love for his craft.”

With the death of Koenig, who played trusty Enterprise navigator Pavel Chekov on the timeless science fiction show, just two surviving marquee cast members from the original series remain.

Following the deaths of Leonard Nimoy (2015), DeForest Kelley (1999), James Doohan (2005) and Nichelle Nichols (2022), they are the 95-year-old William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk, and George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu.

Koenig was the best man at Takei’s wedding, and Takei fondly remembered his colleague as a “thoughtful man, and a loyal friend” Monday.

“Walter and I met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s, and we stayed friends for nearly six decades,” he said in a statement on Instagram.

Koenig’s Sept. 14, 1936, birthday matched the anniversary of Takei’s wedding, in 2008.

“I will always treasure that he and I shared that date,” Takei, 89, added. “Walter was more than Chekov. He was a writer, a teacher, a thoughtful man, and a loyal friend. To the fans who loved him for so many years, thank you. He loved you too. Rest well, my dear friend. Keep navigating a steady course.”

The original “Star Trek” ran for 79 episodes over three seasons on NBC from 1966 to 1969. Koenig reprised his role in multiple movie versions of the venerable franchise.

Koenig’s Chekov came on board during the second season of Cold War-era “Star Trek,” which aimed to show how characters from multiple races and nationalities could peacefully coincide — albeit in the 23rd century, on a spaceship and in the fictional setting of series creator Gene Roddenberry.

Koenig went on to play Chekov in seven “Star Trek” movies: “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” in 1979, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” in 1982, “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” in 1984, “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” in 1986, “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier” in 1989, “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country” in 1991 and “Star Trek Generations” in 1994.

Koenig got his start in television in the early ’60s with appearances on shows ranging from “General Hospital” to “I Spy” before he landed the role that would define the rest of his career in 1967. He would go on to work in numerous other projects, including a recurring role in the ’90s on the cult favorite sci-fi series “Babylon 5,” but he always came back to the world of “Star Trek.”

Koenig never shied away from the Chekov character — doing voice-over work in “Star Trek” video games and even making a cameo in 2023 on “Star Trek: Picard” — and he always gladly mingled with fans wanting to engage him about the iconic TV series, McGinnis said.

“Walter’s legacy extends far beyond the screen,” McGinnis said. “Through countless convention appearances and interactions with fans, he shared his kindness, wit, and appreciation with everyone fortunate enough to meet him. He understood what Star Trek meant to people and embraced the community that grew around it.”

Koenig kept working until nearly the very end, winning best actor at this year’s Independent Shorts Awards for “Mr. Fleischmann. ”

Senior Breaking News Reporter