Walter Koenig, Chekov on ‘Star Trek,’ Remembered by George Takei: ‘Keep Navigating a Steady Course’

Walter Koenig‘s “Star Trek” colleagues are remembering the actor who played Chekov in the original “Star Trek” series, calling him “a loyal friend.” Koenig died Sunday in Los Angeles. His “Star Trek” co-star George Takei reminisced over Koenig serving as best man at his wedding.

Takei, who played Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu, wrote on Instagram, “My heart is heavy. Walter Koenig, our Ensign Pavel Chekov, passed away early today.

“Walter and I met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s, and we stayed friends for nearly six decades,” the post continued. “When Brad and I married in 2008, Walter stood beside us as our best man. Just last month, on Sept. 14, he turned 90, on the same day Brad and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. I will always treasure that he and I shared that date. Walter was more than Chekov. He was a writer, a teacher, a thoughtful man, and a loyal friend. To the fans who loved him for so many years, thank you. He loved you too. Rest well, my dear friend. Keep navigating a steady course.”

Adam Nimoy, Leonard Nimoy’s son, wrote, “So sad to hear about the loss of Walter Koenig. Such a nice guy and when we were on the convention circuit together a pleasure to hang out with. Here he is with Celeste Yarnall in ‘The Apple,’ one of my favorites of the oddball episodes. Farewell.”

Michael Okuda, a scenic artist and technical consultant on several “Star Trek” installments, recalled his interview for the Roddenberry archive, writing, “Mourning the passing of Star Trek legend Walter Koenig. He was 90. A couple of years ago, Walter gave us a nice interview for the Roddenberry Archive.”

Koenig’s reps said in a statement, “Today we mourn the passing of Walter Koenig, whose talent, warmth, and unforgettable performances left a lasting mark on generations of fans around the world. He passed of old age at home in North Hollywood last night surrounded by his daughter and niece.

“Best known for his iconic role as Pavel Chekov in ‘Star Trek: The Original Series,’ 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. 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…

“Thank you, Walter, for the memories, the inspiration, and for boldly going where few have gone before.”