# Walter Koenig, Chekov in the original Star Trek, dies at 90 in Los Angeles

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/entertainment/walter-koenig-chekov-in-the-original-star-trek-dies-at-90-in-los-angeles)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 26 Oct 2026
Updated: 26 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 27 Oct 2026

> He played the young navigator Pavel Chekov in the 1960s series and seven Star Trek films, and the Psi Cop Bester in Babylon 5.

**Walter Koenig**, who played the navigator **Pavel Chekov** in the original *Star Trek* television series and seven *Star Trek* films, has died at the age of **90**, [Variety reported](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/walter-koenig-dead-chekov-star-trek-1236931312/). His representatives said he died of old age at his home in **North Hollywood, Los Angeles**, on Sunday night, 25 October 2026, with his daughter and niece beside him. [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-koenig-dies-age-90-chekov-star-trek/) also reported his death.

## Who Walter Koenig was

Koenig was born in **Chicago** to a family of Russian Jewish heritage originally named Koenigsberg. He studied psychology at UCLA before a professor pushed him towards acting, and trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, where his classmates included Christopher Lloyd and James Caan.

He joined *Star Trek* in its second season as Chekov, a brash young Russian officer on the bridge of the Enterprise, added partly to draw teenage viewers. The character became one of the show's best-known faces and stayed with the crew through the film series.

## The roles he is remembered for

| Year | Role |
|---|---|
| 1967 to 1969 | Pavel Chekov, *Star Trek: The Original Series* |
| 1979 to 1994 | Chekov in seven *Star Trek* films |
| 1982 | A central part in *Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan* |
| 1994 to 1998 | Psi Cop Alfred Bester in 12 episodes of *Babylon 5* |
| 2026 | Best Actor, Platinum Award, Independent Shorts Awards, for the short film *Mr. Fleischmann* |

He also wrote an episode of *Star Trek: The Animated Series*, "The Infinite Vulcan", even though Chekov was left out of that show, and returned to the character as an admiral in the fan-funded 2015 film *Star Trek: Renegades*.

## A statement from his family's representatives

"Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit," his representatives said, thanking fans he met at "countless convention appearances" over the decades.

*Star Trek* still has fans in Pakistan through its films and the newer series on streaming services. For more from the world of film and TV, see our [entertainment news](/news/entertainment).

## Frequently asked questions

**How did Walter Koenig die?**

His representatives said he died of old age at home in North Hollywood on Sunday 25 October 2026, aged 90.

## Sources

- Walter Koenig, Chekov on Original 'Star Trek,' Dies at 90 (Variety): https://variety.com/2026/film/news/walter-koenig-dead-chekov-star-trek-1236931312/
- Walter Koenig, actor who played Chekov on Star Trek, dies at 90 (CBS News): https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walter-koenig-dies-age-90-chekov-star-trek/

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