Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inTom MurrayMonday 26 October 2026 17:59 GMTGeorge Takei sends message to former I'm a Celebrity campmate Esther RantzenStar Trek actor Walter Koenig, best known for playing Russian navigator Pavel Chekov in the original television series and films, has died aged 90 at his home in Los Angeles.Koenig joined Star Trek in its second season, his character embodying the show’s optimistic vision of international cooperation during the Cold War.Co-star George Takei paid tribute to Koenig on social media, writing: “Walter was more than Chekov. He was a writer, a teacher, a thoughtful man, and a loyal friend.”Koenig was Takei’s best man at the Hikaru Sulu actor’s wedding to Brad Altman in 2008.Born in Chicago in 1936 to Soviet Jewish immigrants, Koenig also appeared in Babylon 5 and is survived by his daughter, Danielle.In fullStar Trek’s original Chekov, Walter Koenig, dies aged 90More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in