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 very well known for playing Ensign Pavel Chekov in the TV show Star Trek: The Original Series from 1967 to 1969.

He played Chekov in all six Star Trek movies with the original cast. Later, he voiced President Anton Chekov in Star Trek: Picard in 2023. Walter Koenig has also acted in other TV shows and movies, like Babylon 5. Besides acting, he has written for TV shows such as Land of the Lost and Family.

Early Life and Education

Walter Koenig was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1936. His parents were Isadore and Sarah Koenig. When he was a child, his family moved to Manhattan, New York, where he went to school. His parents were immigrants from Lithuania. They shortened their family name from "Königsberg" to "Koenig."

Koenig first went to Grinnell College to study medicine. He then moved to UCLA and earned a degree in psychology. A professor encouraged him to try acting. So, he went to the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Famous actors like Christopher Lloyd also studied there.

Acting Career Highlights

Early Roles

Before Star Trek, Walter Koenig had several acting jobs. In 1964, he played a teenage gang leader in an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. He also appeared in the TV series The Lieutenant in 1964.

Star Trek Adventures

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

Koenig was not familiar with science fiction before joining Star Trek. He was chosen for the role partly because he looked like Davy Jones from the music group the Monkees. The show's creator, Gene Roddenberry, hoped this would make the show more popular with young viewers.

For his role as Chekov, Koenig wore a special hairpiece to look like Davy Jones. He also used a strong Russian accent. He said his father, who had trouble with the "v" sound, inspired the accent.

Koenig as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek

Many fans, especially children, loved his character. This popularity helped him become a regular cast member on Star Trek. When George Takei (who played Sulu) was away filming a movie, Koenig and other actors had to share a dressing room. Over time, Koenig and Takei 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. Walter Koenig was not hired for it due to budget reasons. However, he became the first cast member to write a Star Trek story for television. He wrote an episode called "The Infinite Vulcan".

Koenig was nominated for awards for his acting in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. He also played Chekov in fan-made web series and films, including Star Trek: Renegades in 2015. In 2023, he voiced President Anton Chekov in Star Trek: Picard. This character was suggested to be Pavel Chekov's son.

Later Work and Writing

After Star Trek, Walter Koenig continued his career. He had a recurring role as Psi Cop Alfred Bester in the TV series Babylon 5. He appeared as a "Special Guest Star" in twelve episodes.

Koenig in 1980

Koenig has acted in many films, stage plays, and TV shows over fifty years. He played different kinds of characters, from a teenage gang leader to a futuristic dictator. He also starred in the science fiction film Moontrap.

Besides acting, Walter Koenig is also a writer. He has written several films and one-act plays. He also wrote episodes for TV shows like Land of the Lost and The Powers of Matthew Star.

He has written several books, including his autobiography Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe. He also created his own comic book series called Raver. In 2013, he released a graphic novel called Walter Koenig's Things To Come.

Koenig has taught acting and directing at universities like UCLA. In 1987, he directed his own play, The Secret Life of Lily Langtree.

In 2004, he co-starred in Mad Cowgirl, an independent movie. In 2007, he worked with his Babylon 5 co-star Bruce Boxleitner in the movie Bone Eater.

Koenig at ComicCon in Dallas, 2007

Walter Koenig received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 10, 2012. In recent years, he has appeared in films like Cowboys & Engines (2013) and Neil Stryker and the Tyrant of Time (2017). In 2018, he appeared in Diminuendo.

Helping Others

In 2007, Walter Koenig was asked by a human rights group to help with the humanitarian crisis in Burma. He visited refugee camps along the border between Burma and Thailand in July 2007 to support their efforts.

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 and passed away in 2010. They also have a daughter, Danielle, who is a comedian and writer. Danielle is married to comedian Jimmy Pardo.

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

Filmography

Television

Video Games

See also

In Spanish: Walter Koenig para niños