Walter Koenig
| Walter Koenig | | --- |
|  Koenig as [Pavel Chekov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Chekov "Pavel Chekov") on _[Star Trek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_The\_Original\_Series "Star Trek: The Original Series")_ | | Born | Walter Marvin Koenig September 14, 1936 [Chicago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago "Chicago"), Illinois, U.S. | | Died | October 25, 2026 (aged 90) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | [Grinnell College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinnell_College "Grinnell College") (attended) [University of California, Los Angeles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_California,_Los_Angeles "University of California, Los Angeles") ([BA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Arts "Bachelor of Arts")) [Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_Playhouse_School_of_the_Theatre "Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre") (attended) | | Occupations | * Actor * screenwriter | | Years active | 1962–2024 | | Known for | * [Pavel Chekov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Chekov "Pavel Chekov") * Alfred Bester "Alfred Bester (Babylon 5)") | | Television | * _[Star Trek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_The\_Original\_Series "Star Trek: The Original Series")_ * _[Babylon 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon\_5 "Babylon 5")_ | | Spouse | Judy Levitt (m.1965;died) | | Children | 2, including [Andrew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Koenig "Andrew Koenig") | | Relatives | [Jimmy Pardo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Pardo "Jimmy Pardo") (son-in-law) |
**Walter Marvin Koenig** (; September 14, 1936 – October 25, 2026) was an American actor and screenwriter. He began acting professionally in the mid-1960s and quickly rose to prominence for his supporting role as Ensign [Pavel Chekov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavel_Chekov "Pavel Chekov") in _[Star Trek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_The\_Original\_Series "Star Trek: The Original Series")_ (1967–1969). He went on to reprise this role in all six original-cast _Star Trek_ films and in _[Star Trek: Generations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_Generations "Star Trek: Generations")_ (1994). He also acted in several other series and films including _[Goodbye, Raggedy Ann](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodbye,\_Raggedy\_Ann "Goodbye, Raggedy Ann")_ (1971), _[The Questor Tapes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Questor\_Tapes "The Questor Tapes")_ (1974), and _[Babylon 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon\_5 "Babylon 5")_ (1993). As a screenwriter, Koenig worked on _Land of the Lost "Land of the Lost (1974 TV series)")_ (1974),_Family "Family (1976 TV series)")_ (1976), _What Really Happened to the Class of '65? "What Really Happened to the Class of '65? (TV series)")_ (1977) and _[The Powers of Matthew Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Powers\_of\_Matthew\_Star "The Powers of Matthew Star")_ (1982), and wrote several books.
Walter Marvin Koenig was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 14, 1936, the son of businessman Isadore Koenig and his wife Sarah (née Strauss).[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-NYTobit-1)[[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-2) They moved to the [Inwood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inwood,_Manhattan "Inwood, Manhattan") neighborhood of Manhattan when Walter was a child, where he went to school.[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-3)[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-4) Koenig's parents were [Russian Jewish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Jewish "Russian Jewish") immigrants from the [Soviet Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union "Soviet Union"); his family had been living in [Lithuania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania "Lithuania") when they emigrated, and they shortened their surname from Königsberg to Koenig.[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-koenigbio-5)
Koenig's father was a [communist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism "Communism") who was investigated by the [FBI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI "FBI") during the [McCarthy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism "McCarthyism") era.[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-cbc-6)
He attended [Grinnell College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinnell_College "Grinnell College") in [Grinnell, Iowa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinnell,_Iowa "Grinnell, Iowa"), with a [pre-med](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-medical "Pre-medical") major. He transferred to [UCLA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_California,_Los_Angeles "University of California, Los Angeles") and received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. After a professor encouraged Koenig to become an actor, he attended [Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_Playhouse_School_of_the_Theatre "Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre") in New York City with fellow students [Dabney Coleman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dabney_Coleman "Dabney Coleman"), [Christopher Lloyd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Lloyd "Christopher Lloyd"), and [James Caan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Caan "James Caan").[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-koenigbio-5)[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-variety-7)
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Koenig in _The Great Adventure_ (1963)
In [Gene Roddenberry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Roddenberry "Gene Roddenberry")'s first television production, the 1963–64 NBC series _[The Lieutenant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Lieutenant "The Lieutenant")_, Koenig played a significant role as United States Marine Corps Sgt. John Delwyn, who is recommended for Officer Candidates School "Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps)") by the series protagonist, Lt William T. (Tiberius) Rice, played by [Gary Lockwood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Lockwood "Gary Lockwood").[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-people-8) In 1964, Koenig portrayed a New York City juvenile gang leader in an adaptation of [Harlan Ellison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Ellison "Harlan Ellison")'s _[Memos from Purgatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memos\_from\_Purgatory "Memos from Purgatory")_ for _[The Alfred Hitchcock Hour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Alfred\_Hitchcock\_Hour "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour")_.[[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-people-8)
Koenig began playing Ensign Pavel Chekov, navigator on the USS _Enterprise_ "USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)"), in the original _Star Trek_ television series in the second season, and continued in the role in all of the films featuring the original cast, including _[Star Trek Generations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek\_Generations "Star Trek Generations")._ Koenig was unfamiliar with science fiction before being cast on _Star Trek._[[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-tomorrow19760204-9)
One of only two actors to audition, he was cast as Chekov almost immediately, primarily because he resembled British actor and singer Davy Jones "Davy Jones (musician)") of [the Monkees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkees "The Monkees").[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-THRobit-10) Show creator Gene Roddenberry hoped that Koenig would increase the show's appeal to young people. The studio's publicity department, however, falsely attributed Chekov's inclusion to an article in _[Pravda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pravda "Pravda")_ that complained about the lack of Russians in _Star Trek._[[11]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-bbckoenig-11)[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-THRobit-10)
As the 30-year-old's hair was already receding, costume designers fashioned a Davy Jones-style "moptop" hairpiece for him. In later episodes, his own hair grew out enough to accomplish the look with a comb-over.[[12]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-12)
Roddenberry asked him to "ham up" a Russian accent to add a note of comic relief to the series. Koenig said the accent was inspired by his father, who had the same difficulty with the "v" sound.[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-cbc-6)
> I was one of only two people who auditioned for the part, which is quite extraordinary. Considering that this has so materially affected the last 35 years of my life... a couple of hours after I auditioned, I heard that I had gotten the role.[[11]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-bbckoenig-11)
Most of Koenig's [fan mail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_mail "Fan mail") came from children, and his popularity with fans contributed to him soon receiving a contract as a regular _Star Trek_ cast member. This surprised Koenig, who had initially been told that Chekov would only be a recurring role.[[11]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-bbckoenig-11)[[13]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-davis20130907-13)
When the early episodes for season two of _Star Trek_ were filmed, [George Takei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Takei "George Takei") was initially jealous of Koenig's more prominent role in the series, but later on they became friends. [[14]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-14) Koenig served as best man at Takei's wedding in 2008.[[15]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-15)
The character of Chekov did not appear in the animated _Star Trek_ series. The show's producers had declined to hire Koenig for budgetary reasons and the actor wasn't even aware that he would not be included in the cast until a fan informed him at a [_Star Trek_ convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction_convention "Science fiction convention").[[16]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-16) Nevertheless, Roddenberry hired Koenig as a writer and purchased his script for an episode of the show titled "[The Infinite Vulcan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Infinite_Vulcan "The Infinite Vulcan")". Koenig later confessed that he was upset at being left out of the cast of the animated series.[[17]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-17) "The Infinite Vulcan" made him the first cast member to write a _Star Trek_ story for television.[[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-Variety-18)
He received [Saturn Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Award "Saturn Award") nominations for [Best Supporting Actor in a Film](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Supporting_Actor "Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor") for both _[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek\_II:\_The\_Wrath\_of\_Khan "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan")_ and _[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek\_IV:\_The\_Voyage\_Home "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home")_.[[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-19) Koenig reprised the role of Chekov for the fan webseries _[Star Trek: New Voyages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_New\_Voyages "Star Trek: New Voyages")_, "To Serve All My Days," and the independent Sky Conway/[Tim Russ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Russ "Tim Russ") film, _[Star Trek: Of Gods and Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_Of\_Gods\_and\_Men "Star Trek: Of Gods and Men")_, both in 2006, and _[Star Trek: Renegades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_Renegades "Star Trek: Renegades")_ in 2015.[[20]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-20)[[21]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-21)
Koenig in 1980
In the last episode of the third season of _[Star Trek: Picard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_Picard "Star Trek: Picard")_, aired in 2023, Koenig voiced an audio transmission from Federation President Anton Chekov, implied to be Pavel's son; the name references [Anton Yelchin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Yelchin "Anton Yelchin"), who played Chekov in director [J. J. Abrams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Abrams "J. J. Abrams")_Star Trek_ films.[[22]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-22)
Koenig said that his favorite _Star Trek_ episode was "[Spectre of the Gun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_of_the_Gun "Spectre of the Gun")".[[23]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-23)
[Typecast](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typecast "Typecast") as Chekov, Koenig found a great disparity between the adulation from [Trekkies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trekkie "Trekkie") at [_Star Trek_ conventions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction_convention "Science fiction convention") and his obscurity in [Hollywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_the_United_States "Cinema of the United States"),[[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-tomorrow19760204-9) stating, "People are interested in Chekov, not me."[[24]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-michaels19781210-24) Before the _Trek_ movies started, Koenig found some work as a writer. He submitted freelance scripts to a number of shows, including _What Really Happened to the Class of '65? "What Really Happened to the Class of '65? (TV Series)")_[[25]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-25)
He was awarded the [Inkpot Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkpot_Award "Inkpot Award") in 1982.[[26]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-26)
After Chekov, Koenig had a recurring role as [Psi Cop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psi_Corps "Psi Corps")Alfred Bester "Alfred Bester (Babylon 5)") on the television series _[Babylon 5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon\_5 "Babylon 5")_.[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-THRobit-10) He was a "Special Guest Star" in twelve episodes and, at the end of the third season, the production company applied for an [Emmy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmy_Award "Emmy Award") nomination on his behalf. He was slated to play Bester on the spin-off series _Crusade "Crusade (TV series)")_, but the series was cancelled before his episode was filmed. The character name of "Alfred Bester" was an homage to [the science fiction writer of the same name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Bester "Alfred Bester").[[27]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-27)
Koenig played "Oro" in two episodes of the Canadian science fiction television series _[The Starlost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Starlost "The Starlost")_, which aired in 1973 on Canada's [CTV television network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CTV_Television_Network "CTV Television Network").[[28]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-28)
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Koenig at [ComicCon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Comic_Con "Dallas Comic Con")[Dallas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas "Dallas") in 2007
Koenig's film, stage, and television roles spanned 50 years. He played roles ranging from a teenage gang leader (_[Alfred Hitchcock Presents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred\_Hitchcock\_Presents "Alfred Hitchcock Presents")_) to Scandinavian fiancé Gunnar in the _Gidget "Gidget (TV series)")_ episode entitled "Gidget's Foreign Policy", to a Las Vegas entertainer (_I Spy "I Spy (1965 TV series)")_). He returned to space with a starring role in _[Moontrap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moontrap "Moontrap")_ and played a futuristic dictator in the video game _[Maximum Surge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum\_Surge "Maximum Surge")_.[[29]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-29)
During the early 1990s, he starred in a touring production of the play _The Boys in Autumn_, playing a middle-aged [Tom Sawyer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sawyer "Tom Sawyer"), who reunites with childhood friend [Huckleberry Finn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huckleberry_Finn "Huckleberry Finn"). Fellow _Trek_ actor [Mark Lenard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Lenard "Mark Lenard") played Finn.[[30]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-30)
In addition to acting, he wrote several films (_I Wish I May_, _You're Never Alone When You're a Schizophrenic_), one-act plays, and a handful of episodes for TV shows: _[Star Trek: The Animated Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_The\_Animated\_Series "Star Trek: The Animated Series")_, _Land of the Lost "Land of the Lost (1974 TV series)")_, _Family "Family (1976 TV series)")_ and _[The Powers of Matthew Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Powers\_of\_Matthew\_Star "The Powers of Matthew Star")_.[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-THRobit-10)[[31]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-31)
He wrote several books, including _Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe_ (an autobiography), _Chekov's Enterprise_ (a journal kept during the filming of _[Star Trek: The Motion Picture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star\_Trek:\_The\_Motion\_Picture "Star Trek: The Motion Picture")_) and _Buck Alice and the Actor-Robot_ (a science fiction novel), which was re-released in 2006. He created his own comic book series called _Raver_, which was published by [Malibu Comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malibu_Comics "Malibu Comics") in the early 1990s, and appeared as a "special guest star" in an issue of the comic book _Eternity Smith_, which features him prominently on its cover.[[32]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-32)
In 2013, Koenig released the graphic novel _Walter Koenig's Things To Come_ with artist J.C. Baez, published by Bluewater Comics, which compiled the four issues of the miniseries of the same name.[[33]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-33)
Koenig taught classes in acting and directing at [UCLA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_California,_Los_Angeles "University of California, Los Angeles"), the Actor's Alley Repertory Company in Los Angeles,[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-variety-7) the Sherwood Oaks Experimental Film College, and the [California School of Professional Psychology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_School_of_Professional_Psychology "California School of Professional Psychology") at [Alliant International University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliant_International_University "Alliant International University").[[34]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-34)[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-NYTobit-1)
In 1987, Koenig directed his original [one-act play](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-act_play "One-act play")_The Secret Life of Lily Langtree_ at the [Theatre of NOTE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_NOTE "Theatre of NOTE") in Los Angeles. In 1989, Koenig starred in the science fiction film _[Moontrap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moontrap "Moontrap")_ as mission commander Colonel Jason Grant.[[35]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-eric-35)
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Koenig in March 2023
In 1997, Koenig starred in _Drawing Down the Moon_, an independent film about a [Wiccan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca "Wicca") woman who attempts to open a [homeless shelter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeless_shelter "Homeless shelter") in a small Pennsylvania town. Koenig played Joe Merchant, a local crime lord obsessed with [chaos theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory "Chaos theory") who sends his thugs to intimidate her into shutting down the shelter.[[35]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-eric-35)
In 2002, he directed stage versions of two of the original _[The Twilight Zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Twilight\_Zone "The Twilight Zone")_ episodes for Letter Entertainment.[[36]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-36) In 2004, Koenig co-starred in _[Mad Cowgirl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad\_Cowgirl "Mad Cowgirl")_, an independent movie about a meat-packing health inspector dying from a brain disorder, in which he played [televangelist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Televangelist "Televangelist") Pastor Dylan.[[35]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-eric-35)
He received the 2,479th star of the [Hollywood Walk of Fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Walk_of_Fame "Hollywood Walk of Fame") on September 10, 2012.[[37]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-37)
In 2013, Koenig ventured into the [steampunk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk "Steampunk") genre, starring in the short film _Cowboys & Engines_ alongside [Malcolm McDowell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_McDowell "Malcolm McDowell") and Richard Hatch "Richard Hatch (actor)").[[38]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-38) In 2017, Koenig appeared in the 1980s throwback _Neil Stryker and the Tyrant of Time_ from director Rob Taylor, battling puppet goblins as science officer Ray Nabroski.[[39]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-39) In 2018, he again appeared opposite Richard Hatch in the science-fiction drama _Diminuendo_ "Diminuendo (film)"), which was Hatch's last performance before his death.[[40]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-40)
Koenig's final role was in the 2024 film _[Raging Midlife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raging\_Midlife "Raging Midlife")_, where he played Otis.[[41]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-EW-41)
In 2007, Koenig was asked by the human rights group [U.S. Campaign for Burma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Campaign_for_Burma "U.S. Campaign for Burma") to help in their grassroots campaign about the humanitarian crisis in Burma. He visited refugee camps along the [Burma–Thailand border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar%E2%80%93Thailand_border "Myanmar–Thailand border").[[42]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-42)
Personal life and death
[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_Koenig&action=edit§ion=7 "Edit section: Personal life and death")]
Koenig married actress Judy Levitt in 1965; she died in 2022.[[43]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-43) In 1968, they had a son, actor [Andrew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Koenig "Andrew Koenig"), who died by suicide in 2010.[[44]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-44)[[45]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-45) They also have a daughter, Danielle, a comedienne and writer, who is married to comedian [Jimmy Pardo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Pardo "Jimmy Pardo").[[35]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-eric-35)
In September 2008, Koenig served as best man at the wedding of his _Star Trek_ co-star [George Takei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Takei "George Takei") to Brad Altman.[[46]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-46)
Koenig died from natural causes at his home in [North Hollywood, Los Angeles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Hollywood,_Los_Angeles "North Hollywood, Los Angeles"), on October 25, 2026, at the age of 90.[[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-Variety-18)[[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-THRobit-10)[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-NYTobit-1)
- _Chekov's Enterprise_ (1980)[[62]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-62)
- _Buck Alice and the Actor-Robot_ (1988)[[63]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-63)
- _Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe_ (1998)[[64]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-64)
- _Walter Koenig's Things to Come_ (2012)[[65]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-65)
- _Walter Koenig's Raver_ (2015)[[66]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Koenig#cite_note-66)
1. 1234Gates, Anita (October 26, 2026). "Walter Koenig, Chekov from 'Star Trek,' Has Died". _[The New York Times](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_New\_York\_Times "The New York Times")_. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
2. ↑"Walter Koenig Biography". Yahoo! Movies. April 20, 2011. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
3. ↑"INTERVIEW: Walter Koenig on his life before and beyond 'Star Trek'". _Hollywood Soapbox_. July 23, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2021. 4. ↑Thompson, Cole (April 15, 2016). "Famous Inwood Residents". _My Inwood_. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
5. 12"Walter Koenig's Authorized Biography". _walterkoenig.com_. Star Traveler Publications. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
6. 12Jesse Wente interview with Walter KoenigArchived July 6, 2011, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), _Q_, CBC Radio, August 28, 2009
7. 12"Walter Koenig, Chekov on Original 'Star Trek,' Dies at 90". _Variety_. Penske Media Corporation. October 26, 2026. Retrieved October 26, 2026. The family of Russian Jewish heritage was originally named Koenigsberg, and he attended Fieldston High School in Fieldston, N.Y., where he did some stage work, before starting at Grinnell College in Iowa, where he was initially pre-med; he transferred to and graduated from UCLA with a degree in psychology. After a professor urged him to pursue a career in acting, he began studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York; there his classmates included Christopher Lloyd, ~ as well as James Caan and Dabney Coleman.
8. 12"Walter Koenig, Chekov on the Original Star Trek Series, Dies at 90". People. October 26, 2026. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
9. 12_Star Trek cast on Tom Snyder's Tomorrow, 1976_ (Television production). Tomorrow. Retrieved March 15, 2024– via YouTube.
10. 12345Barnes, Mike (October 26, 2026). "Walter Koenig, the Russian Crewman Chekov on 'Star Trek,' Dies at 90". _[The Hollywood Reporter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Hollywood\_Reporter "The Hollywood Reporter")_.
11. 123"Walter Koenig – Chekov in the Original Star Trek". BBC. Archived from the original on November 15, 2001. Retrieved May 7, 2011. 12. ↑Vejvoda, Jim and Phil Pirrello. "Star Trek: The Original Series – Season 2 Review." IGN.com, September 18, 2009.
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18. 1234Dagan, Carmel (October 26, 2026). "Walter Koenig, Chekov on Original 'Star Trek,' Dies at 90". _Variety "Variety (magazine)")_.
19. ↑"Sulu sends off Chekov: George Takei's touching tribute to 'Star Trek' mate Walter Koenig". GoldDerby. October 26, 2026. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
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29. ↑"Maximum Surge Packs Plenty of Star Power". _[Electronic Gaming Monthly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic\_Gaming\_Monthly "Electronic Gaming Monthly")_. No.75. [Ziff Davis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziff_Davis "Ziff Davis"). October 1995. p.27. 30. ↑Loynd, Ray (August 4, 1990). "The Twain Meet Again in 'Boys in Autumn'". _Los Angeles Times_.
31. ↑"Star Trek's Walter Koenig wrote one of the best episodes of this classic '70s kids show". MSN. Retrieved October 26, 2026. 32. ↑"Conflict on Campus". _Eternity Smith_. No.9. [Hero Comics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_Comics "Hero Comics"). August 1988.
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35. 1234["Walter Koenig, Sci-Fi Actor Who Played Chekov in 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan' and Bester on Babylon 5, Dies at 90"](https://www.thatericalper.com/2026/10/26/walter-koenig-sci-fi-actor-who-played-chekov-in-star-trek-ii-the-wrath-of-khan-and-bester-on-babylon-5-dies-at-90/). ThatEricAlper. October 26, 2026. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
36. ↑"4 Letter Entertainment". 4 Letter Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
37. ↑"Walter Koenig To Become The Last Star Trek Original To Land Star". express.co.uk. August 29, 2012.
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40. ↑_Richard Hatch's Last Director on His Unflinching Commitment and Seeing Their Film in His Final Days_, February 10, 2017, retrieved May 16, 2018
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44. ↑Duke, Alan (February 25, 2010). "Missing actor's body found in Vancouver park, source says". CNN. Archived from the original on February 27, 2010.
45. ↑Fisher, Luchina (February 26, 2010). "Andrew Koenig's Long, Losing Battle With Depression". ABC News "ABC News (United States)"). Retrieved January 7, 2015.
46. ↑Michael Weinfeld (June 5, 2008). "George Takei and partner plan to wed in September". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016.
47. 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253"Koenig, Walter 1936–". _[Encyclopedia.com](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia.com "Encyclopedia.com")_. Archived from the original on January 1, 2026. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
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56. 12Gross, Ed (October 28, 2023). "The Original 'Star Trek' Cast: Where They've Boldly Gone, Then and Now". _[Woman's World](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman's\_World "Woman's World")_. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
57. ↑"Parents' Guide to Woman in Motion". _[Common Sense Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common\_Sense\_Media "Common Sense Media")_. February 25, 2021. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
58. ↑"The Cast". _Woman in Motion_. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
59. 1234Grebey, James (September 3, 2026). "5 Sci-Fi Shows Walter Koenig Appeared In (That Aren't Star Trek)". _[TVLine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVLine "TVLine")_. [Static Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_Media "Static Media"). Archived from the original on September 4, 2026. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
60. 1234"Walter Koenig (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 28, 2025. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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