Yesterday, we heard the sad news that Walter Koenig, Star Trek‘s Pavel Chekov, has died at age 90. In addition to our own obituary, beautifully written by longtime Star Trek journalist Ian Spelling, we wanted to round up 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 him or interviewing him over the years.
Star Trek: The Original Series colleagues
George Takei made a 3-post thread for his good friend, wrapping up the third one with “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.”
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. When Brad and I married in 2008, Walter stood beside us as our best man.
— George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social) October 26, 2026 at 12:25 PM
William Shatner:
David Gerrold, writer:
Adam Nimoy, son of Leonard Nimoy:
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. 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 multiple Star Trek shows and films:
Roddenberry Entertainment
Terry Matalas (Picard season 3 showrunner) shared Roddenberry’s post, adding “One of the sweetest, kindest humans I’ve ever worked with. It was an honor. I wish we could’ve done more…”
Todd Stashwick (Picard) wrote a deeply personal post about Walter, who was his neighbor and friend. He said “The day we actually met he stopped in front of my house, and I was wearing a Star Wars T-shirt and he playful shook his fist at me,” and finished it with “A true New Yorker, scrappy and funny, and I miss him. My neighborhood and the world lost a good one today.”
Deep Space Nine‘s Cirroc Lofton got to know Walter when he started reviewing TOS episodes on The 7th Rule:
In addition, The 7th Rule did their own post.
Next Gen‘s Marina Sirtis posted a heartbreakinig viideo:
Voyager‘s Garrett Wang, who got to know Walter on the convention circuit:
Next Gen‘s Denise Crosby:
Just got the news of the passing of one of my @StarTrek family members, the iconic #WalterKoenig. The laughs, Cons, flights, great meals, beautiful locations, and the moments we shared with fans around the world will live with me forever. Restful peace, my friend.💕#StarTrek
— Denise Crosby (@TheDeniseCrosby) October 26, 2026
Deep Space Nine‘s Nana Visitor
Alex Kurtzman, Secret Hideout
Kim Cattrall, co-star in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Anthony Montgomery (Enterprise)
Robert Picardo (Voyager, Prodigy, Starfleet Academy)
Nicole de Boer (Deep Space Nine)
Jeri Ryan (Voyager, Picard)
Dominic Keating’s wife, Sarah Falk, revealed a friendship with him that significantly pre-dates her meeting Dominic for the first time. She and Walter were pen pals when she was a teen, and he became a grandfatherly figure to her later. When she took a trip 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 through the ages. I miss you already.”
Discovery‘s Doug Jones
Next Gen writer Melinda Snodgrass
Prodigy writer/EP Aaron Waltke
Wil Wheaton (TNG, Prodigy, Picard) posted on Threads.
Gary Berman and Adam Malin of Creation Entertainment (via email to convention goers list):
“Thanks, Walter. We still remember in 1979 when you became the first Star Trek guest to grace our stages. Your boundless energy, your scathing wit, your academic insight and your warm personality made all of us love you.
“Whether you were riding on stage with Marc Leonard in a Ford Model T as Tom Sawyer in The Boys In Autumn; shrieking in agony with that Ceti eel larva in your ear in Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan; brain blasting innocents as the nefarious Psi Cop Bester in Babylon 5; or getting thrown across the bar by gorilla-sized Klingons in ‘Trouble with Tribbles,’ we were always on your side rooting for you.
“Over your 47-year tenure on Creation stages, you never ceased to entertain and thrill your audiences with your biting reminiscences of Hollywood, your infectious humor, and self-effacing humility. The Alpha quadrant has grown a little darker with your passing and you will be remembered fondly, with love and reverence.”
Babylon 5
J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5
Today we lost Walter Koenig.
Some thoughts about a fine actor and genuinely nice guy….
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski.bsky.social) October 26, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Bill Mumy
Claudia Christian
Trek documentarians
Larry Nemecek (upcoming doc The Con of Wrath)
Mark A. Altman (The 60-Year Mission)
Brian Volk-Weiss (The Center Seat)
David Zappone (The Captains)
Mainstream press
Here’s just a smattering of coverage and tributes from mainstream media.
Variety: Walter Koenig, Chekov on Original ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 90
AP News: Walter Koenig, Ensign Chekov on the original ‘Star Trek’ series, dies at 90
The Hollywood Reporter: Walter Koenig, the Russian Crewman Chekov on ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 90
The New York Times: Walter Koenig, Chekov From ‘Star Trek,’ Has Died
Entertainment Tonight:
The Today Show:
H&I tribute
The Heroes & Icons Network will honor with “H&I Remembers Walter Koenig,” a five-episode Star Trek: The Original Series tribute on Sunday, November 1, from 8p – 1a ET/PT. The Sunday, November 1st tribute schedule is as follows:
8p – 9p ET/PT: “Amok Time”
9p – 10p ET/PT: “Spectre of the Gun”
10p – 11p ET/PT: “Journey to Babel”
11p – 12a ET/PT: “The Deadly Years”
12a – 1a ET/PT: “The Gamesters of Triskelion”
Viewers can find where to watch H&I at handitv.com.
Chekov (Walter Koenig) and Sylvia (Bonnie Beecher) in Star Trek‘s “Spectre of the Gun”
View the full H&I Network schedule.