‘Star Trek’ actor Walter Koenig dead at 90

See more of our coverage in your search results. Original “Star Trek” cast member Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov, died at age 90 over the weekend. The actor passed away at his North Hollywood, California, home on Sunday, his agency shared via a Facebook post Monday. The agency confirmed that the actor died of old age and was with his daughter, Danielle, and niece when he passed. “Walter’s legacy extends far beyond the screen,” the statement read. “Through countless convention appearances and interactions with fans, he shared his kindness, wit, and appreciation with everyone fortunate enough to meet him.” “Star Trek” actor Walter Koenig (seen here in 2018) has died. Getty Images The actor, known for his role in “Star Trek,” passed away at his North Hollywood, California, home. (Seen here: The actor in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”) ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection “He understood what ‘Star Trek’ meant to people and embraced the community that grew around it,” the agency continued. “Thank you, Walter, for the memories, the inspiration, and for boldly going where few have gone before.” Koenig was mourned by his “Star Trek” co-star George Takei, who played the role of Sulu. “My heart is heavy,” the fellow actor wrote in a heartfelt Facebook statement, explaining he and Koenig first crossed paths in 1960 and stayed friends ever since. Koenig (seen here in 2023) was with his daughter at the time of his death, according to his agency. Getty Images Koenig (seen here in “Star Trek”) died of old age, per his agency. ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection “Walter was more than Chekov,” Takei added. “He was a writer, a teacher, a thoughtful man, and a loyal friend. To the fans who loved him for so many years, thank you. He loved you too.” Koenig was born on Sept. 14, 1936, in Chicago, and was raised in New York City by his parents, who were Russian Jewish immigrants. He enrolled as a pre-med major at Grinnell College in Iowa before later transferring and graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, according to his Hollywood Walk of Fame bio. While studying at UCLA, he was encouraged by a professor to kickstart his career in acting, which ultimately led him to New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse. “Walter’s legacy extends far beyond the screen,” his agency wrote in a statement. (Seen here: Koenig in 2016.) Getty Images “Through countless convention appearances and interactions with fans, he shared his kindness, wit, and appreciation with everyone fortunate enough to meet him,” the statement continued. (Seen here: Koenig in 2016.) Getty Images One of Koenig’s first roles was an appearance in the TV series “Combat!” in 1962, followed by an episode of “The Untouchables” in 1963. He also appeared on two episodes of “General Hospital” as Charlie Turner in 1963 before ultimately landing his iconic role as Chekov in the “Star Trek” TV series in 1967. During a 2013 interview with the TV Academy Foundation, Koenig candidly admitted that he had never seen “Star Trek” until he joined the cast for Season 2. Koenig learned he landed the role shortly after his audition when he spent a few hours alone in a room until a wardrobe assistant came to get him. His agency wrote, “He understood what ‘Star Trek’ meant to people and embraced the community that grew around it.” (Seen here: Koenig in 2016.) Getty Images Koenig was best known for his role in “Star Trek.” (Seen here: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Majel Barrett, DeForest Kelley and James Doohan in the series.) ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection Want more celebrity and pop culture news? Start your day with Page Six Daily. Thanks for signing up! “He drops on his knees in front of me,” Koenig recalled. “[He] takes my crotch in his hand, and I’m saying, ‘What are you doing?!’ I didn’t see the tape-measuring ruler in his other hand, and he was measuring from my crotch to my cuff to decide how long my pants should be. He says, ‘You do have to have a costume, don’t you?'” “And that’s the auspicious way I learned I was on “Star Trek” and it was going to change my life,” Koenig continued. Koenig starred in the show through Season 3 in 1968. He shared the screen alongside William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. He landed the role of Chekov in 1967. (Seen here: Koenig in 2006.) Getty Images Koenig (seen here in 2006) played the role in several movies throughout the years. Getty Images Koenig reprised his role in “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” in 1979, followed by “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” in 1982 and “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” in 1984. He also appeared in the following movies from 1986 to 1994, and in other sequels for the franchise. Koenig’s last movie credit was the 2025 film “Raging Midlife.” He also starred as himself in the 2025 30-minute short “Lost Voyages: Phase II and the Rebirth of Star Trek.” He married Judy Levitt, who also starred in the “Star Trek” movies, in 1965. They shared Danielle and their late son, Andrew, who died by suicide in 2010, and were together until Levitt passed away in 2022 at the age of 83. Community Guidelines Welcome to the Page Six Community! Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. 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