'Star Trek' star Walter Koenig, who portrayed Pavel Chekov, dies at 90

Veteran American actor Walter Koenig, widely recognised for his portrayal of Pavel Andreievich Chekov in the original 'Star Trek' television series and its subsequent films, has died at the age of 90. The actor died of natural causes at his home on Sunday, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which cited a statement from his representative. 

Koenig became a familiar face to science fiction audiences after joining Gene Roddenberry's 'Star Trek' during its second season. He went on to play the Russian navigator in seven feature films, remaining associated with the franchise for more than two decades.

His work in the 'Star Trek' films also earned him nominations from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, including recognition for his performances in 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan' and 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'.

Walter Koenig's early life and acting career

Born and raised in Manhattan, New York, Koenig was the son of Lithuanian immigrants. Before becoming known for 'Star Trek', he appeared in several American television dramas during the 1960s.

One of his early roles came in 1963, when he played a student who had defected to the United States in an episode of NBC's 'Mr. Novak'. The appearance marked his first time portraying a Russian character on screen.

A year later, he appeared in 'The Lieutenant', a television drama created by Gene Roddenberry. Koenig played a young sergeant hoping to become an officer, although his aspirations faced difficulties because of his mother's communist background.

His appearance in the series preceded his casting in Roddenberry's science fiction drama 'Star Trek', the production that would become his best-known work.

How Walter Koenig became Chekov in 'Star Trek'

Koenig joined the original 'Star Trek' series at the beginning of its second season, taking on the role of Pavel Andreievich Chekov, a Russian navigator serving aboard the starship Enterprise.

He appeared in 36 of the 50 episodes broadcast across the show's 1967–68 and 1968–69 seasons.

Interestingly, Koenig had not been a fan of the series before joining its cast. In a 2013 interview with the TV Academy Foundation, he admitted that he had dismissed the programme after briefly seeing it on television.

“I’d flip through the channels and I’d see Styrofoam rocks — they were so obviously Styrofoam — and I said, ‘This has got to be phony.’ I didn’t give it a chance,” he recalled.

Despite his initial impression, the role became a defining part of his acting career.

Following the television series, Koenig returned as Chekov in the first seven 'Star Trek' feature films released by Paramount between 1979 and 1991.

His performances in 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan' (1982) and 'Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home' (1986) earned him nominations from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.

Walter Koenig's wife and family

Away from his professional career, Koenig was married to actress Judy Levitt, whom he wed in July 1965.

Levitt also worked in the entertainment industry, appearing alongside her husband in three 'Star Trek' films. She was additionally part of the science fiction television series 'Babylon 5'.

The couple remained married for more than five decades until Levitt's death in December 2022 at the age of 83.

Koenig and Levitt's son, Andrew Koenig, was also an actor. He was best known for portraying Richard 'Boner' Stabone in the ABC sitcom 'Growing Pains'.

Andrew died by suicide in 2010 at the age of 41.

Koenig's portrayal of Chekov across the original 'Star Trek' series and seven films remains his most recognisable contribution to television and cinema, securing his place in the history of the science fiction franchise.