Walter Koenig facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Walter Koenig
Koenig at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2024
Born	Walter Marvin Koenig (1936-09-14) September 14, 1936 (age 88) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Grinnell College University of California, Los Angeles (BA) Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre
Occupation	Actor screenwriter
Years active	1962–present
Known for	Pavel Chekov Alfred Bester
Television	Star Trek Babylon 5
Spouse(s)	Judy Levitt ​ ​ (m. 1965; died 2022)​
Children	2, including Andrew
Relatives	Jimmy Pardo (son-in-law)

Walter Marvin Koenig (born September 14, 1936) is an American actor and writer. He started acting in the mid-1960s. He became famous for playing Ensign Pavel Chekov in the TV show Star Trek: The Original Series (1967–1969).

Walter Koenig played Chekov in all six Star Trek movies with the original cast. He also voiced President Anton Chekov in Star Trek: Picard (2023). Besides Star Trek, he acted in other shows like Babylon 5 (1993). Koenig is also a writer. He worked on shows like Land of the Lost (1974) and Family (1976).

Walter Koenig's Early Life

Walter Koenig was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Isadore and Sarah Koenig. When he was a child, his family moved to Manhattan, New York. His parents were immigrants from the Soviet Union. They were from Lithuania and shortened their last name to "Koenig."

Walter's father was a communist. The FBI investigated him during the McCarthy era. This was a time when the U.S. government was worried about communism. Walter first went to Grinnell College to study medicine. He then moved to UCLA and earned a degree in psychology. A professor encouraged him to become an actor. He then studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.

Walter Koenig's Acting Career

Starting His Acting Journey

Walter Koenig had an important role in the TV show The Lieutenant in 1964. He played Sgt. John Delwyn. His character's mother was a known Communist Party member. This created interesting situations in the show.

In 1964, he also played a teenage gang leader. This was for an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Becoming a Star in Star Trek

Koenig joined the original Star Trek TV series in its second season. He played Ensign Pavel Chekov. Chekov was the navigator on the USS Enterprise. Koenig continued this role in all the Star Trek movies with the original cast.

Koenig was not a science fiction fan before Star Trek. He was chosen because he looked like the British singer Davy Jones. The show's creator, Gene Roddenberry, hoped this would make the show popular with young people.

Koenig was 30 years old and losing his hair. So, costume designers made him a special wig to look like Davy Jones. Later, his own hair grew enough to create the look. Roddenberry asked him to exaggerate his Russian accent for humor. Koenig said his accent was inspired by his father's way of speaking.

Most of Koenig's fan mail came from children. His popularity helped him get a regular contract on Star Trek. This surprised him, as he thought Chekov would only be a small role.

Koenig as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek

When Star Trek filmed its second season, George Takei (who played Sulu) was away. So, Chekov worked with different characters. When Takei returned, he and Koenig had to share a dressing room. They also shared one script per episode. This made Takei upset at first. But Koenig said they later became good friends. Koenig was even the best man at Takei's wedding in 2008.

Chekov did not appear in the animated Star Trek series. The show could not afford to hire Koenig. He found out he was not included from a fan. However, Gene Roddenberry hired Koenig as a writer. Koenig wrote an episode called "The Infinite Vulcan." This made him the first cast member to write a Star Trek story for TV.

Koenig was nominated for awards for his roles in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. He played Chekov again in fan web series and films. In 2023, Koenig voiced President Anton Chekov in Star Trek: Picard. This character was implied to be Pavel's son.

Later Acting and Writing Projects

After Star Trek, Koenig was often chosen for similar roles. This is called being "typecast." He found that fans were interested in Chekov, not him. Before the Star Trek movies, Koenig worked as a writer. He wrote scripts for several TV shows. He was the main writer for What Really Happened to the Class of '65?.

Koenig in 1980

Koenig had a recurring role as Psi Cop Alfred Bester on the TV series Babylon 5. He was a "Special Guest Star" in twelve episodes. The character's name was a tribute to a science fiction writer.

Koenig's acting career has lasted over fifty years. He has played many different roles. These include a teenage gang leader and a futuristic dictator. In the early 1990s, he toured in a play called The Boys in Autumn. He played an older Tom Sawyer. His Trek co-star Mark Lenard played Huckleberry Finn.

Koenig at ComicCon in Dallas, 2007

Besides acting, Koenig has written several films and plays. He also wrote episodes for TV shows like Star Trek: The Animated Series and Land of the Lost.

He has written several books. These include his autobiography, Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe. He also wrote a science fiction novel called Buck Alice and the Actor-Robot. He created his own comic book series called Raver.

Koenig has taught acting and directing at universities. In 2002, he directed stage versions of Twilight Zone episodes. In 1987, he directed his own play, The Secret Life of Lily Langtree. In 1989, he starred in the science fiction film Moontrap.

In 1997, Koenig starred in Drawing Down the Moon. He played Joe Merchant, a local crime lord. In 2004, he was in Mad Cowgirl, playing Pastor Dylan. In 2007, he worked with his Babylon 5 co-star Bruce Boxleitner in the movie Bone Eater.

Walter Koenig received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 10, 2012. This is a big honor for actors. In 2013, he starred in the short film Cowboys & Engines. He also appeared in the film Blue Dream and Neil Stryker and the Tyrant of Time. In 2018, he was in Diminuendo.

Helping Others: Humanitarian Work

In 2007, a human rights group asked Koenig for help. This group was the U.S. Campaign for Burma. They wanted to raise awareness about the problems in Burma (now Myanmar). Koenig visited refugee camps along the Burma–Thailand border in July 2007.

Walter Koenig's Personal Life

Walter Koenig married actress Judy Levitt in 1965. She passed away in 2022. They had a son, Andrew, who was also an actor. Andrew died in 2010. They also have a daughter, Danielle, who is a comedian and writer. She is married to comedian Jimmy Pardo.

In September 2008, Koenig was the best man at his Star Trek co-star George Takei's wedding.

Koenig received the Inkpot Award in 1982. This award honors people who contribute to the world of comics and science fiction.

Filmography

Television

Video games

See also

In Spanish: Walter Koenig para niños