Walter Koenig's death reduces original Star Trek leads to two
The actor, who played Chekov in 79 episodes and seven films, died at 90, leaving only William Shatner and George Takei alive from the 1960s series.
By Sergio Morris ·
Walter Koenig died Monday at 90, reducing the number of surviving principal cast members from the original “Star Trek” television series to just two. His passing leaves only William Shatner, 95, and George Takei, 89, alive from the show's main ensemble.
Koenig played Pavel Chekov, the navigator on the USS Enterprise, in the series that aired on NBC from 1966 to 1969. The character first appeared in the second season of the show, which featured a multinational crew. Koenig reprised the role in seven films released between 1979 and 1994. He continued to work in the franchise until 2023, appearing in “Star Trek: Picard.”
Talent agent Zachery McGinnis confirmed the death in a statement, noting that Koenig died at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. McGinnis described the actor as a versatile performer whose career extended well beyond the science fiction genre. Koenig had appeared in television shows such as “General Hospital” and “I Spy” in the early 1960s before landing his defining role in 1967. He also held a recurring role on “Babylon 5” in the 1990s.
George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu, remembered Koenig as a loyal friend and thoughtful man. Takei noted that the two men met on the set of “Star Trek” in the 1960s and maintained a friendship for nearly six decades. Koenig served as the best man at Takei's wedding in 2008. The two men also shared the same birthday, September 14. Takei posted a tribute on Instagram, thanking fans for their years of support and telling Koenig to keep navigating a steady course.
Koenig remained active in the entertainment industry until late in his life. He performed voice-over work for “Star Trek” video games and attended fan conventions, where he engaged with audiences about the series. According to McGinnis, Koenig embraced the community that grew around the show and understood its personal significance to fans. He did not distance himself from his most famous character, often mingling with people who wanted to discuss the iconic TV series.
The actor received professional recognition for his work in film in 2026. He won the best actor award at the Independent Shorts Awards for the short film “Mr. Fleischmann.” This role demonstrated his continued range as a performer, even after decades in front of the camera. The original “Star Trek” series ran for 79 episodes over three seasons. The show was created by Gene Roddenberry and aired during the Cold War era, depicting a peaceful, multicultural crew in the 23rd century.
Source: NBC News
