Walter Koenig, the actor who played Chekov in Star Trek, has died at 90

Fans of the original "Star Trek" television series lost one of their most recognizable figures on Monday. Walter Koenig, best known for his role as the Enterprise navigator Pavel Chekov, died at age 90. His representative confirmed the news, marking the departure of another key member from the show's cast.

Koenig died at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, according to talent agent Zachery McGinnis. The actor had maintained a long connection with the franchise that defined his career. He first portrayed Chekov in 1967 and continued to appear in the role across multiple film adaptations.

With Koenig's passing, only two original cast members remain alive. William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk, is 95. George Takei, who portrayed Hikaru Sulu, is 89. The other original leads have died in the last two decades. Leonard Nimoy died in 2015, DeForest Kelley in 1999, James Doohan in 2005, and Nichelle Nichols in 2022.

Takei, who married in 2008, shared a personal bond with Koenig. Koenig served as the best man at the wedding. The two shared the same birthday, September 14. Takei described his late colleague as a thoughtful man and a loyal friend in a statement posted on Instagram. He noted that they met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s and remained friends for nearly six decades.

Koenig's career extended well beyond the original series. He appeared in seven "Star Trek" movies between 1979 and 1994. He also took on recurring roles in other projects, including the science fiction series "Babylon 5" in the 1990s. In recent years, he continued to engage with the franchise through video game voice work and a 2023 cameo on "Star Trek: Picard".

Koenig began his acting career in the early 1960s with television appearances on shows such as "General Hospital" and "I Spy." He reprised his Chekov role in numerous conventions and fan events, according to McGinnis. The agent said Koenig understood what the series meant to its community and embraced the fans who gathered around it.

The actor remained active until his final months. He won the best actor award at this year's Independent Shorts Awards for the film "Mr. Fleischmann." The original "Star Trek" series ran for 79 episodes over three seasons on NBC from 1966 to 1969.