Walter Koenig, Star Trek’s Pavel Chekov, dies at 90

tvOct 26, 2026341,888

Walter Koenig, the actor best known as Pavel Chekov on the original Star Trek and as Alfred Bester on Babylon 5, died at 90. Family reports and an obituary in The New York Times place his birth in 1936 and his death in 2026, with one post giving his dates as September 14, 1936 to October 25, 2026. Posts remembering Koenig highlighted longtime fan-favorite moments such as his hungover bridge duty in Star Trek VI, the Ceti eel storyline, and his menacing turn as Bester on Babylon 5. Colleagues and viewers praised his warmth and professionalism, with multiple personal anecdotes about his kindness at conventions and in everyday encounters. The report noted surviving family connections in the entertainment world, including host Jimmy Pardo identified in one post as his son-in-law. Memorial posts said he will be remembered for bringing life to Chekov and for his later dramatic work, and news outlets and family statements are the immediate sources announcing his death.

The Spaceshipper 🚀

@thespaceshipper.com

Oh no 😭 One of the last members of the USS Enterprise has left. RIP Walter Marvin Koenig (1936-2026) Star Trek, Babylon 5, Moontrap, The Starlost, The Questor Tapes, Futurama... What a career in sci-fi. I will miss Pavel Chekov. Again 😞

Walter Marvin Koenig as Chekov in Star Trek

10423h ago

The Spaceshipper 🚀156

"Koenig tells of series creator Gene Roddenberry’s insistence on ethnic diversity in Star Trek, and why he believes it is a key to the franchise’s ongoing success." Don't miss this half-hour with Walter 🖖

Rob Rainbolt9

He was so intimidating on Babylon 5, not at all what I expected when I heard that he was going to be on it.

To most he will always be Chekov... but to fans of Babylon 5, he was simply the Best. One more has gone beyond the rim. Thanks for the memories, Walter.

Zeddi - der gute alte Zeddiria6

My first thaugt as i read of his death was how good he played Bester in Babylon 5

2-4-2.bsky.social5

"Scotty, now would be a good time". 😢

kaykaylib.bsky.social5

Only George Takei and William Shatner left of the original six main cast. Leonard Nimoy, James Doohan, DeForest Kelley, and Nichelle Nichols have all left us.

Quoting this

Dave Mueller30

These always hurt. I know objectively with the show turning 60 this year that even the youngest cast members would be in their 80s (I didn't know Walter was 90), but it's still never easy. These guys have been here my entire life! RIP Walter Koenig. Thank you for being there my entire life.😢

Nuri Ezri?!28

He's best known for Chekov, but IMO some of his best acting is playing a charming, but negatively aligned telepath in Babylon 5 Check out this small compilation! <: youtu.be/s72fJb7a-s8?...

MsMeeea12

Moh Walter Koenig (que je croyais déjà décédé erm) n'est plus :( En outre de son rôle de Chekov qu'il adorait mais dont il détestait la perruque, Walter est en outre apparu rapidement dans le Columbo "Deux En Un" accessoirement celui avec Shatner mais sans scène avec Bill (qui l'avait pas reconnu)

[LVL 36]Alsvid Wotansdottir🧿10

He's gone to the great spaceship in the cosmos.

Spider-Father is gonna have a rip-roaring year!9

Always terrible when one of the TOS crew passes on, doubly sad for the scifi community due to his stand out role as Bester in Babylon 5. Glad he got one last go on Trek as Chekov's descendent.

Llama God9

Sad news. Be seeing you, Mr. Bester...

Jacob Clifton6

He said farewell to his earthly wessel

Technikfaultier5

🖖 Mach’s gut Chekov. Walter Koenig war auch ein toller Alfred Bester in Babylon 5.

Marmike914

Now Walter Koenig is gone?? Can 2026 just fucking stop with these deaths?? Its getting too much now!

Mulm 🤝 Lhannan3

RIP...he was so good in Babylon 5!

John Bull

@garius.eurosky.social

RIP Walter Koenig. Of all his moments on Star Trek, one of his finest was accurately portraying an officer stuck doing bridge duty while massively hungover (Star Trek VI)

2863h ago

John Bull99

I'm not joking btw. It's great being able to do the big acting moments. But being able to accurately portray a raging hangover without it being over the top is hard shit. Walter Koenig nailed it.

Iain20

Even more than Trek, I’ll remember the sheer magnificent bastardry of his Bester in B5. To be that much of an arsehole without actually losing audience sympathy is an incredible piece of work.

Dave Shackson18

I liked the fact that, trapped in 1980s USA, Kirk overlooked the problem with his officer with a Russian accent going around Sanfran harbour asking where the "Nuclear Wessels" were.

Meramente Protelatório 🚂3

WHAT We lost Koenig ?!?!

Locopells1

Aw FUCK, and the day was going so well...

Dave Shackson1

But is he dead? There was a previous false alarm some years ago?

The Orion

@gettheorion.bsky.social

Today we celebrate the life of our beloved Walter Koenig. Part of the Trek family since the beginning, he brought light and life to the screen, giving us many wonderful memories. I never met him but I've never heard a bad word spoken about him. You will be remembered. 🥃🖖🏻

913h ago

Quoting this

The Orion28

This is the only Walter Koenig Chekov ive drawn, but from reading all the wonderful posts and memories from the actor's life it feels fitting. Boldly Go, good sir. 🥃🖖🏻

Tony Santos5

RIP. Of all the original Trek actors (and I just rewatched the first 6 movies this month) he always seemed like he was having the most fun with all of it, both on screen and in any interview thing I ever saw him in.

70s Sci-Fi Art

@70sscifiart.bsky.social

RIP Walter Koenig (September 14, 1936 – October 25, 2026)

Portrait of Walter Koenig as Chekov from Star Trek, with a splash of blue stars behind him. Art by Frank Kelly Freas.

651h ago

ChrisTrekkin 💜🖖

@christrekkin.bsky.social

Had to pause the episode I was watching Rest in peace, Walter Koenig And thank you for everything you brought to the Star Trek universe as Pavel Chekov 🖖

Pavel Chekov smiling at his station on the bridge of the Enterprise-A

893h ago

Trek Geeks 🖖🏻🎙️💫

@trekgeeks.com

Walter Koenig, Ensign Chekov of the original Star Trek, has passed away at 90. A genuine legend who meant so much to so many. Rest easy, Walter. 🖖 #WalterKoenig #StarTrek

In Memoriam tribute card for Walter Koenig, 1936–2026, on a black background with a black-and-white photo of him smiling in a Star Trek uniform.

622h ago

Oliver Willis

@owillis.bsky.social

RIP Condolences to @nevernotfunny.com (host Jimmy Pardo is his son-in-law) Walter Koenig Has Died at 90. He Played Chekov on ‘Star Trek.’ www.nytimes.com/2026/10/26/a...

451h ago

Galactic Journey

@galacticjourney.bsky.social

Reprinting a picture of Star Trek's Walter Koenig ('Chekov') today for no particular reason.

Walter Koenig in a silver, Nehru-collared, shirt with two fans at a science fiction convention in 1968.

141h ago

Dianna Gunn Does (Fictional) Murders 🇨🇦

@diannalgunn.bsky.social

RIP Walter Koenig, who I know best from his role as Bester in Babylon 5 Bester was a character I loved to hate, and Koenig brought him to life with incredible skill

143h ago

dairishgoat.bsky.social

@dairishgoat.bsky.social

R.I.P. Walter Koenig. Iconic as Chekov, but brilliant as Bester.

113h ago

Dave Bulmer

@demontomatodave.bsky.social

God, I didn't realise Walter Koenig had still been alive. You shouldn't have to see your young reboot go first

163h ago

Joe Siegler

@joesiegler.blog

.. and then there were just two left. Walter Koenig has died, according to reports from family. While most Star Trek fans remember him as Chekov, he SHINED as Bester on Babylon 5 - showing he could act if you gave him a chance to do so. #StarTrek