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Walter Koenig, the actor who played Pavel Chekov in the original “Star Trek” series and several films, has died, his representative confirmed to CBS News. He was 90.
Koenig died Sunday night at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, talent agent Zachery McGinnis said in a statement. He died surrounded by his daughter and brother, McGinnis said.
In “Star Trek,” Ensign Chekov was the only member of the bridge crew of a spaceship from the former Communist bloc. His friendly, supportive presence showed how the rival countries (in the future the show was set in) were able to work together.
Speaking English with a heavy Russian accent, Chekov embodied the characteristics of the Russian personality, including fierce pride, love of poetry and blind loyalty.
“Star Trek” ran on NBC from 1966 to 1969 and has had an almost unique afterlife because fans, or Trekkies, kept the show alive.
“My heart is heavy,” Koenig’s partner, George Takei, said on social media. “Walter was more than Chekov. He was a writer, a teacher, a thoughtful person, and a loyal friend.”
McGinnis noted that Koenig’s legacy extended far beyond the screen.
“Through many conference appearances and fan interactions, he shared his kindness, wit and gratitude to everyone who was fortunate enough to meet him. He understood what Star Trek meant to people and embraced the community that grew around him,” McGinnis said. “Thank you, Walter, for the memories, the encouragement, and for daring to go where few have gone before.”
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Koenig played Chekov in seven “Star Trek” movies starting in 1979, as well as several other spinoffs, including writing the “Star Trek” book, “Chekov’s Enterprise,” in 1980. The TV show has also inspired two spinoff TV series with new characters, and conventions that attract thousands of fans.
He returned to the science fiction genre with occasional appearances on the 1990s syndicated television series “Babylon 5.”
