Star Trek actor Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov, dies aged 90

Walter Koenig, the actor best known as Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek, has died at 90. He died at home in North Hollywood on Sunday night, of old age, surrounded by his daughter and niece, according to his representatives. Born in Chicago to Soviet Jewish immigrant parents and raised in Manhattan, Koenig trained at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse before landing the role of the Enterprise’s young, earnest navigator. Chekov joined the series in its second season in 1967 and brought humor and warmth to the crew’s adventures until the show ended in 1969.

Koenig returned as Chekov in the original-cast Star Trek films from 1979 to 1991, with further appearances in Generations and Star Trek: Picard. His work in The Wrath of Khan and The Voyage Home earned science-fiction award nominations. The character’s Russian identity suited the series’ vision of international cooperation during the Cold War and Space Race; the role was also presented with a mop-top hairstyle aimed at younger viewers. Beyond Star Trek, Koenig played the ruthless telepath Alfred Bester in Babylon 5, wrote for the animated Star Trek series, and appeared in projects including Columbo and Futurama. Co-star George Takei remembered him as a thoughtful writer, teacher and loyal friend. Koenig is survived by his daughter, actress and screenwriter Danielle Koenig.