Walter Koenig, famed “Star Trek ”and “Babylon 5 ”alum, dies at age 90
Walter Koenig, famed “Star Trek ”and “Babylon 5 ”alum, dies at age 90
Shelby StivaleMon, October 26, 2026 at 5:06 PM UTC
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Walter Koenig as Pavel Chekov on ‘Star Trek’Credit: CBS via GettyKey Points -
Star Trek alum Walter Koenig has died at age 90.
The late actor’s rep confirmed his cause of death.
Koenig was known for playing Russian crewman Pavel Chekov in the Star Trek universe.
Star Trek alum Walter Koenig has died at age 90.
The late actor’s rep confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday, sharing that Koenig had died from natural causes. Koenig’s team remembered him as someone with “warmth and unforgettable performances” in a statement to Variety.
“Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit. Beyond Star Trek, his long and distinguished career showcased his versatility as an actor and his genuine love for his craft,” the statement continued. “His remarkable talent continued to shine in his later years, most recently with his performance in the short film Mr. Fleischmann, for which he received the Platinum Award for Best Actor at the 2026 Independent Shorts Awards — a fitting recognition of a lifetime devoted to his craft.”
Walter Koenig at the ‘Raging Midlife’ premiere in March 2025Credit: Victoria Sirakova/Getty
Koenig was known for his portrayal of Russian crewman Pavel Chekov on Star Trek, a role he played throughout several iterations of the sci-fi series. His most recent appearance in the Star Trek universe came in a 2023 episode of Star Trek: Picard, in which he voiced President Anton Chekov — the son of his original character.
“Walter’s legacy extends far beyond the screen,” the statement from his reps continued. “Through countless convention appearances and interactions with fans, he shared his kindness, wit, and appreciation with everyone fortunate enough to meet him. He understood what Star Trek meant to people and embraced the community that grew around it.”
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Prior to his death, Koenig spoke highly of his decades-long experience in the Star Trek fandom, praising the Trekkies for how they’ve continued to evolve it.
“That camaraderie among Star Trek fans became more extensive when they started having conventions. It wasn’t only what you’d traditionally call nerds,” Koenig said during an interview with the Television Academy. “It was people who had a sense of humanity and a sense of justice. People who had imagination and people who loved monsters. It covered a much larger canvas than was initially thought.”
Koenig was also known for his role in a separate sci-fi series, Babylon 5, in which he played Alfred Bester in 12 episodes from 1994 to 1998. Acting was always in the cards for Koenig, who starred in stage productions at his New York high school before heading to college. At first, Koenig was pre-med at Grinnell College in Iowa, before transferring to UCLA, where he pursued a degree in psychology. While at UCLA, he took an acting class and a letter of recommendation from his teacher allowed Koenig to get into the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York.
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The late star’s onscreen debut came in the mid-1960s. He was eventually cast in Star Trek: The Original Series in 1967. From there, he appeared in several movies and TV shows, but would always return to his Star Trek roots. Koenig’s most recent role was as Otis in the 2024 movie, Raging Midlife, which was initially released at the Austin Film Festival before its wider release in 2025.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
