Star Trek's iconic Pavel Chekov actor passed away on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Star Trek's iconic Pavel Chekov actor Walter Koenig has passed away at the age of 90. This is according to a report published by TMZ, in which a rep for Mr. Koenig said, "Walter's daughter, Danielle, and his niece were by his side when he died of old age at his home in North Hollywood on Sunday [Oct 25)."
Unlike some of his Star Trek contemporaries, Koenig didn’t board the USS Enterprise until The Original Series season 2 episode “Catspaw.”
However, in broadcast order, television viewers caught their first glimpse of Pavel Chekov in the season premiere “Amok Time.” Gene Roddenberry was anxious to draw in younger fans, so he created the role of Mr. Chekov in the likeness of the popular singer and TV star of The Monkees, Davy Jones.
Also, Koenig’s Chekov did not appear in The Animated Series. No, Chekov wouldn’t return to the mix until the crew of the Enterprise reunited on the big screen in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979).
Koenig’s standout performance as the character came three years later in The Wrath of Khan (1982), in which Chekov was promoted to the First Office of the USS Reliant. And even though he didn’t actually appear in the TOS episode “Space Seed,” Koenig’s Chekov would be immediately recognized by Ricardo Montalban’s Khan at the beginning of the film.
Koenig would portray the beloved character in all six of the TOS feature films, and he returned briefly as Chekov during the opening sequence of Star Trek Generations, along with William Shatner and James Doohan.
Outside of Star Trek, Koenig’s most prolific work came in another sci-fi series, Babylon 5, and he also provided his voice talents for the animated action-comedy Stretch Armstrong & the Flex Fighters. Koenig received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012.
The Redshirts Always Die and FanSided teams are saddened to hear of Mr. Koenig's passing, and we would like to pass on our condolences to those closest to him, including his family and friends.
For more Star Trek content, and to remember Walter Koenig, please visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Rest in peace, Walter Koenig.
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