Shatner and Takei: Last Two Original Star Trek Leads Alive
The performer who played Pavel Chekov died at his home in North Hollywood, leaving only two original series cast members alive.
By Owen Fitzgerald ·
Walter Koenig, the actor who portrayed Pavel Chekov on the original "Star Trek" series, died Monday at his home in North Hollywood. He was 90. His death reduces the number of surviving marquee cast members from the 1966 to 1969 NBC show to two.
Talent agent Zachery McGinnis confirmed the news in a statement. McGinnis noted that Koenig's career spanned several decades and included work beyond the science fiction franchise. "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.
Only William Shatner and George Takei remain alive from the original principal cast. Shatner, 95, played Capt. James T. Kirk, while Takei, 89, played Hikaru Sulu. Other key cast members have died in recent years, including Nichelle Nichols in 2022, James Doohan in 2005, DeForest Kelley in 1999, and Leonard Nimoy in 2015.
Takei honored Koenig on Instagram, calling him a "thoughtful man, and a loyal friend." The two actors served as best men to each other on separate occasions and shared a birthday date. Takei noted that Koenig's birthday, September 14, 1936, matched the anniversary of Takei's 2008 wedding. "Walter and I met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s, and we stayed friends for nearly six decades," Takei wrote.
Koenig joined the "Star Trek" crew in 1967 for the second season. His character, Chekov, was introduced to represent a new nationality on the ship. He reprised the role in seven feature films between 1979 and 1994. The original series ran for 79 episodes over three seasons.
After his initial run on the show, Koenig continued to work in television and film. He appeared in the cult favorite series "Babylon 5" in the 1990s and made a cameo in "Star Trek: Picard" in 2023. He also performed voice-over work for various "Star Trek" video games.
Koenig won the best actor award at this year's Independent Shorts Awards for his role in the film "Mr. Fleischmann." McGinnis said Koenig remained active in the fan community until shortly before his death. "Walter's legacy extends far beyond the screen," McGinnis said.
Source: NBC News
