Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek series, the first seven Star Trek movies, and beyond, has died at age 90.
Koenig joined Star Trek in its second season, playing the Russian navigator aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. His character served alongside James T. Kirk (William Shatner), Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley).
Chekov became a regular member of the bridge crew, contributing to missions involving Klingons, Romulans, and encounters with unknown civilizations. Koenig also brought humor to the series, particularly through Chekov’s insistence that many of humanity’s greatest inventions originated in Russia.
Fans can revisit Koenig’s performances in the original Star Trek series, streaming on Paramount+. Here are five episodes worth watching in his memory.
Walter Koenig: Key facts
- Full name: Walter Koenig
- Born: Sept. 14, 1936
- Died: Reported Oct. 26, 2026, at age 90
- Role best known for: Pavel Chekov
- Show: Star Trek (1966)
- Character: Navigator, originally, aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise
- First episode: “Amok Time,” Season 2, Episode 1
- Where to stream: Paramount+
Episodes to watch
1. “Amok Time” (Season 2, Episode 1)
“Amok Time” marks Koenig’s first appearance as Chekov in the original series’ broadcast order.
In the episode, Spock experiences a biological condition known as pon farr, forcing him to return to Vulcan. Kirk diverts the U.S.S. Enterprise to help his first officer, eventually becoming involved in a Vulcan ritual that puts his life at risk.
Chekov takes his place at the navigation station as the crew navigates conflicting orders and Spock’s medical emergency.
WATCH NOW: “Amok Time” (Star Trek Season 1 Episode 1)
2. “The Trouble With Tribbles” (Season 2, Episode 15)
In “The Trouble With Tribbles,” the Enterprise visits space station where a shipment of grain intended for Sherman’s Planet becomes the target of a Klingon plot. Meanwhile, small creatures called tribbles reproduce at an alarming rate.
Chekov accompanies Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) to the station, where she acquires the first tribble brought aboard the Enterprise. Later, Chekov becomes involved in a bar fight after a Klingon insults the ship and its captain.
His exchanges with Scotty (James Doohan) and his enthusiasm for defending the Enterprise make this one of Chekov’s most entertaining appearances.
WATCH NOW: “The Trouble With Tribbles” (Star Trek Season 2, Episode 15)
3. “The Deadly Years” (Season 2, Episode 12)
In “The Deadly Years,” Chekov is part of a landing party investigating a Federation outpost on Gamma Hydra IV.
The crew discovers that the planet’s inhabitants have experienced accelerated aging. Soon, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and Scotty begin showing the same symptoms. Chekov, however, remains unaffected.
McCoy eventually discovers that Chekov’s reaction to a frightening experience on the planet may hold the key to treating the condition.
WATCH NOW: “The Deadly Years” (Star Trek Season 2, Episode 12)
4. “The Tholian Web” (Season 3, Episode 9)
“The Tholian Web” finds the Enterprise investigating the disappearance of the U.S.S. Defiant, a Federation starship trapped in an unstable region of space.
When Kirk becomes stranded aboard the missing ship, Spock assumes command of the Enterprise. The crew must contend with hostile Tholian vessels while searching for a way to recover their captain.
Chekov is among the crew members affected by the region’s unusual properties. His condition deteriorates, and he becomes violent, requiring medical attention and restraint.
WATCH NOW: “The Tholian Web” (Star Trek Season 3, Episode 9)
5. “The Way to Eden” (Season 3, Episode 20)
“The Way to Eden” places Chekov’s personal history at the center of the story.
The Enterprise intercepts a stolen spacecraft carrying a group of young people searching for a mythical planet called Eden. Among the passengers is Irina Galliulin (Mary Linda Rapelye), a former romantic interest of Chekov’s. Their reunion reveals that the two have taken different paths, with Chekov committed to Starfleet and Irina following a movement that rejects conventional society.
WATCH NOW: “The Way to Eden” (Star Trek Season 3, Episode 26)
Walter Koenig’s legacy in Star Trek
Walter Koenig joined the original Star Trek series in 1967, during a period when the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in the Cold War.
Chekov’s presence on the U.S.S. Enterprise reflected creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a future in which people from different nations worked together in space.
After the original series ended in 1969, Koenig returned to the role in six films featuring the original cast, beginning with Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979.
In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Chekov serves aboard the U.S.S. Reliant and encounters Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban), whose return sets the film’s events in motion.
Koenig later appeared as Chekov in Star Trek: Generations (1994), alongside Shatner and Doohan. Over the years, he would continue to pop up in various iterations of the franchise – his voice is heard, for instance, in the Star Trek: Picard series finale, “The Last Generation” (Season 3, Episode 10).
His work also extended beyond Star Trek: He played Alfred Bester in the science-fiction series Babylon 5.
For generations of viewers, Koenig’s portrayal of Chekov remains part of the original Enterprise crew’s history.
Where to watch Walter Koenig’s Star Trek (1966) episodes
All five episodes featured in this tribute are from the original Star Trek series, which streams on Paramount+.
Fans can watch the series beginning with Season 1, or start with Koenig’s first appearance in Season 2.
FAQ
When did Walter Koenig die?
Walter Koenig’s death was announced on Oct. 26, 2026. His representative confirmed the news to CBS News.
How old was Walter Koenig when he died?
Walter Koenig was 90. He was born on Sept. 14, 1936.
Who did Walter Koenig play in the original Star Trek series?
Walter Koenig played Ensign Pavel Chekov, the Russian navigator aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise in Star Trek (1966), beginning in Season 2.
What was Walter Koenig’s first Star Trek (1966) episode?
Koenig’s first broadcast appearance was “Amok Time,” the Season 2 premiere. “Catspaw” was his first episode filmed.
How many Star Trek episodes featured Walter Koenig?
Walter Koenig appeared in 36 episodes of Star Trek (the original series) during Seasons 2 and 3.
Where can you watch Walter Koenig’s Star Trek (1966) episodes?
You can watch Walter Koenig’s episodes of Star Trek (1966) on Paramount+.
