Yesterday we learned the sad news that Walter Koenig, Star TrekPavel Chekov from Walter, died at the age of 90. In addition to our own obituary, beautifully written by longtime Star Trek journalist Ian Spelling, we wanted to collect some of the tributes from Walter’s former colleagues, other members of the Star Trek family, and others who had the pleasure of working with or interviewing him over the years.
Star Trek: The Original Series colleagues
George Takei created a three-post thread for his good friend, concluding the third with “Walter was more than Chekov. He was a writer, a teacher, a caring 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. Continue sailing on a steady course.”
My heart is heavy. Walter Koenig, our Pavel Chekov ensign, passed away early today.
Walter and I met on the deck of the Enterprise in the 1960s and remained friends for nearly six decades. When Brad and I got married in 2008, Walter was there as our best man.
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– George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social) October 26, 2026 at 12:25 p.m.
William Shatner:
David Gerrold, writer:
Adam Nimoy, son of Leonard Nimoy:
It’s really sad to hear of the loss of Walter Koenig. He was such a nice guy and when we were on the convention circuit together it was a pleasure to spend time with him. Here he is with Celeste Yarnall in “The Apple,” one of my favorite weird episodes. Farewell. https://t.co/NuUJvHgR3h
– Adam Nimoy (@adam_nimoy) October 26, 2026
Beyond The original series: Star Trek Family
Mike and Denise Okuda, scenic artists on several Star Trek shows and films:
Roddenberry Entertainment
Terry Matalas (Picard season 3 showrunner) shared Roddenberry’s message, adding “One of the sweetest, kindest humans I’ve ever worked with. It was an honor. I wish we could have done more…”
Todd Stashwick (Picard) wrote a deeply personal article about Walter, who was his neighbor and friend. He said, “The day we met, he stopped in front of my house, I was wearing a Star Wars T-shirt, and he playfully gave me a fist bump,” and ended with, “A true New Yorker, scrappy and funny, and I miss him. My neighborhood and the world lost a good one today.”
New deep spaceCirroc Lofton’s acquaintance with Walter when he began rewatching episodes of TOS on The 7th rule:
Furthermore, The 7th rule made his own post.
New generationMarina Sirtis from ‘sa posted a heartbreaking video:
TravelerThis is Garrett Wang, who met Walter on the convention circuit:
New generationDenise Crosby:
I have just learned of the death of one of my @StarTrek family members, the iconic #WalterKoenig. The laughs, the inconveniences, the flights, the great meals, the beautiful locations and the moments we shared with fans around the world will stay with me forever. Restful peace, my friend.💕#StarTrek
— Denise Crosby (@TheDeniseCrosby) October 26, 2026
New deep spaceNana’s visitor
Alex Kurtzman, secret hiding place
Kim Cattrall, co-star in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Anthony Montgomery (Business)
Robert Picardo (Voyager, Prodigy, Starfleet Academy)
Nicole de Boer (New deep space)
Jeri Ryan (Traveler, Picard)
Dominic Keating’s wife, Sarah Falk, revealed a friendship with him that long predated her first meeting with Dominic. She and Walter were pen pals when she was a teenager, and he later became a grandfather figure to her. When she went to see him at an event, he ended up introducing her to Dominic. She closed the post with, “Thank you for the generosity of taking me under your wing. Thank you for my husband. Your legacy will be remembered throughout the ages. I miss you already.”
Discoveryit’s Doug Jones
New generation writer Melinda Snodgrass
Prodigy writer/EP Aaron Waltke
Wil Wheaton (TNG, Prodigy, Picard) published on Threads.
Gary Berman and Adam Malin of Creation Entertainment (by email to the convention list):
“Thank you, Walter. We still remember 1979, when you became the first Star Trek guest to grace our stages. Your boundless energy, scathing wit, academic insight, and warm personality endeared us all.
“Whether you were on stage with Marc Leonard in a Ford Model T as Tom Sawyer in The Boys In Autumn; that you were screaming in agony with that Ceti eel larva in your ear in Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan; blow the brains out of innocent people as the infamous Psi Cop Bester in Babylon 5; or being thrown across the bar by gorilla-sized Klingons in “Trouble with Tribbles,” we were always there to support you.
“During your 47 years on the Creative stages, you never ceased to entertain and thrill audiences with your biting Hollywood reminiscences, your infectious humor and your self-effacing humility. The Alpha Quadrant has become a little darker with your passing and you will be remembered fondly, with love and respect.”
Babylon 5
J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5
Today we lost Walter Koenig.
Some thoughts on a good actor and a really nice guy….
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– J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski.bsky.social) October 26, 2026 at 7:40 p.m.
Bill Mom
Claudie Christian
Trek Documentarians
Larry Nemecek (doc coming soon) The Anger Scam)
Mark A. Altman (The 60-year mission)
Brian Volk-Weiss (The central headquarters)
David Zappone (The captains)
General public press
Here’s just a glimpse of the mainstream media coverage and tributes.
Variety: Walter Koenig, the interpreter of Chekov in “Star Trek”, dies at 90
AP News: Walter Koenig, Ensign Chekov in Original ‘Star Trek’ Series, Dies at 90
The Hollywood Reporter: Walter Koenig, Russian ‘Star Trek’ Chekov Crewmate, Dies at 90
The New York Times: Walter Koenig, Chekov from ‘Star Trek,’ dies
Entertainment this evening:
Today’s show:
H&P tribute
The Heroes & Icons Network will honor with “H&I Remembers Walter Koenig,” a five-episode series Star Trek: The Original Series tribute on Sunday, November 1 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. ET/PT. The program of tributes for Sunday, November 1 is as follows:
- 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET/PT: “Amok Time”
- 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET/PT: “Ghost of the Gun”
- 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT: “Journey to Babel”
- 11 p.m. – 12 p.m. ET/PT: “The Deadly Years”
- 12a – 1a ET/PT: “The Triskelion Players”
Viewers can find where to watch H&I at handitv.com.
Chekov (Walter Koenig) and Sylvia (Bonnie Beecher) in Star Trek“The Ghost of the Gun” by
View the full H&I network calendar.
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