NewsMyNewsLAOctober 26, 2026Los Angeles County
‘Star Trek’ Actor Walter Koenig Dies at 90
Photo: MyNewsLA
Walter Koenig, known for playing Ensign Pavel Chekov in the "Star Trek" series, died Sunday at age 90 at his North Hollywood home. Funeral services were pending as of Monday.
Read the full story at MyNewsLAWhy It Matters
His death leaves William Shatner and George Takei as the only surviving main cast members from the original "Star Trek" television series.
Key Facts
- Actor Walter Koenig died Sunday at his North Hollywood home at age 90 of old age.
- Funeral services for Koenig were pending as of Monday.
- He was best known for portraying Ensign Pavel Chekov on the original "Star Trek" series and subsequent films.
- Born in Chicago on Sept. 14, 1936, Koenig initially studied premed at Grinnell College before earning a psychology degree at UCLA.
- His acting classmates at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse included Christopher Lloyd, James Caan, and Dabney Coleman.
- He joined the cast of "Star Trek" during the second season, chosen partly for his resemblance to Davy Jones of "The Monkees".
- Following "Star Trek's" 1969 cancellation, he appeared in 1970s television shows such as "Medical Center", "Ironside", and "Columbo".
- He played the recurring villainous role of Psi Cop Alfred Bester in "Babylon 5".
- He also wrote episodes for television shows including "Land of the Lost" and "Family".
- His death leaves William Shatner and George Takei as the only surviving core cast members of the original "Star Trek" series.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationUCLA“University where Koenig received a bachelor's degree majoring in psychology.”PersonElizabeth Ashley“Classmate of Koenig at the Neighborhood Playhouse.”PersonWalter Koenig“Actor known for portraying Ensign Pavel Chekov who died at age 90.”PersonGeorge Takei“Surviving core cast member of the original "Star Trek" series.”OrganizationNeighborhood Playhouse“New York acting school attended by Koenig.”OrganizationCBS“Network broadcasting "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour".”OrganizationThe Monkees“Musical group featuring Davy Jones.”PersonBrenda Vaccaro“Classmate of Koenig at the Neighborhood Playhouse.”locationBronx“Borough where The Fieldston School is located.”OrganizationABC“Network broadcasting "General Hospital".”PersonJames Caan“Classmate of Koenig at the Neighborhood Playhouse.”locationNorth Hollywood“Location where Walter Koenig died.”OrganizationGrinnell College“Iowa college where Koenig first attended as a premed major.”OrganizationNBC“Network that cancelled "Star Trek" in 1969.”PersonDavy Jones“"The Monkees" star whose resemblance to Koenig influenced casting.”PersonWilliam Shatner“Surviving core cast member of the original "Star Trek" series.”OrganizationThe Fieldston School“School in the Bronx where Koenig did his first on-stage work.”PersonDabney Coleman“Classmate of Koenig at the Neighborhood Playhouse.”PersonChristopher Lloyd“Classmate of Koenig at the Neighborhood Playhouse.”locationChicago“Birthplace of Walter Koenig.”PersonAlfred Bester“Villainous Psi Cop character played by Koenig in "Babylon 5".”OrganizationTMZ“Media site that reported the cause of death based on a representative's statemen”locationIowa“State where Grinnell College is located.”locationNew York City“City where Koenig was raised.”PersonGene Roddenberry“Creator of "Star Trek".”PersonPavel Chekov“Character portrayed by Walter Koenig on the original "Star Trek" series.”PersonJessica Walter“Classmate of Koenig at the Neighborhood Playhouse.”