Another original Enterprise crew member off to the final frontier, RIP Walter Koenig

[Mendalla]

Walter Koenig joined Star Trek in its second season as Ensign Pavel Chekhov, the new helmsman. Of course, the symbolism of having a Russian officer on the Enterprise was obvious. The Cold War, then an ever-present part of global affairs, was over by the time of Star Trek. One of many hopeful notes in the series.

Beside two seasons of the original series, Koenig appeared in 7 of the Star Trek feature films, including a fairly prominent role for Chekhov in The Wrath of Khan. Later, he appeared on another major s-f series, Babylon 5, in a villainous role as Psi-corps agent Alfred Bester (named for a famous s-f writer).

His son, now deceased, followed him into acting and was on the TV series Growing Pains. He is survived by a daughter who is a comedian.

Star Trek’s original Chekov, Walter Koenig, dies aged 90

Koenig reprised his role as Chekov in all six original-cast Star Trek films

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Mendalla]

That, by the way, leaves just William Shatner (James Kirk) and George Takei (Hikaru Sulu). Takei and Koenig were good friends and Koenig was a best man when Takei married his partner.

 

[Jaebius]

Walter Koenig joined Star Trek in its second season as Ensign Pavel Chekhov, the new helmsman. Of course, the symbolism of having a Russian officer on the Enterprise was obvious. The Cold War, then an ever-present part of global affairs, was over by the time of Star Trek. One of many hopeful notes in the series.

Beside two seasons of the original series, Koenig appeared in 7 of the Star Trek feature films, including a fairly prominent role for Chekhov in The Wrath of Khan. Later, he appeared on another major s-f series, Babylon 5, in a villainous role as Psi-corps agent Alfred Bester (named for a famous s-f writer).

His son, now deceased, followed him into acting and was on the TV series Growing Pains. He is survived by a daughter who is a comedian.

Star Trek’s original Chekov, Walter Koenig, dies aged 90

Koenig reprised his role as Chekov in all six original-cast Star Trek films

www.independent.co.uk

This one hits hard. My first thought this morning seeing the news on FB was, "Oh no, not Walter "

As a kid in the '70s, Chekhov was one of those characters who made the Enterprise a real family. There was something warm and genuine about Walter Koenig's performance that always stood out to me. His presence on the bridge was hopeful, like Roddenberry's vision of a future where people move past old divisions and work together.

I especially loved seeing him in Star Treks II and IV.

RIP Walter. Fair winds and following seas

 

[Jaebius]

That, by the way, leaves just William Shatner (James Kirk) and George Takei (Hikaru Sulu). Takei and Koenig were good friends and Koenig was a best man when Takei married his partner.

How ironic that the two left are the ones who've long had a feud. I always thought Walter was a great gentleman to not directly involved himself in that. In interviews I've seen, he really does his best to see both sides of the story

 

[Jaebius]