Walter Koenig, original Star Trek's Chekov, dies at age 90

Walter Koenig, the actor who created the role of Ensign Pavel Chekov on the original "Star Trek" series, has died at 90, Variety confirms.

According to a statement from his representatives, the actor passed away on Sunday from old age at his home in North Hollywood. He was surrounded by family.

The statement highlighted a recent accolade, noting he won a top acting prize at a 2026 film festival for a short film called "Mr. Fleischmann." Per Variety, his character Chekov was introduced in the show's second season to attract younger viewers, with a hairstyle inspired by The Monkees' Davy Jones.

George Takei, his co-star from the series, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media. Takei revealed Koenig served as the best man at his 2008 wedding and noted they shared a birthday and anniversary date. "Walter was more than Chekov," Takei wrote, per /Film.

Beyond the USS Enterprise, Koenig was known to sci-fi fans for playing the villainous Psi Cop Alfred Bester across 12 episodes of "Babylon 5." He also wrote for television, including an episode of "Star Trek: The Animated Series."