Walter Koenig, actor who played Chekov on "Star Trek," dies at 90

Key points

• Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov on the original Star Trek, died Sunday at 90.
• He died at his home in North Hollywood, surrounded by his daughter and niece.
• Koenig played Chekov in the 1966-69 NBC series and seven Star Trek movies from 1979.

Walter Koenig, the actor who played Pavel Chekov in the original "Star Trek" series and several of its films, has died, his representative confirmed to CBS News. He was 90.

Koenig died Sunday night at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, talent rep Zachery McGinnis said in a statement. His daughter and niece were with him, McGinnis said.

The Chekov role

In "Star Trek," Ensign Chekov was the only member of the Enterprise bridge staff from what was then the Communist bloc. His friendly, supportive presence showed how rival nations in the show's far-off future could work together.

Chekov spoke heavily Russian-accented English and embodied stereotypical Russian traits, including fierce pride, love of poetry and blind loyalty. "Star Trek" ran on NBC from 1966 to 1969 and drew lasting interest from fans known as Trekkies.

My heart is heavy. Walter was more than Chekov. He was a writer, a teacher, a thoughtful man, and a loyal friend.

— George Takei

Tributes and later work

Koenig's castmate George Takei said on social media that his "heart is heavy," adding that Koenig was more than Chekov and was a writer, a teacher and a loyal friend. McGinnis said Koenig's kindness and wit reached fans through countless convention appearances.

Koenig appeared in seven "Star Trek" movies starting in 1979 and wrote a "Star Trek" book, "Chekov's Enterprise," in 1980. He also made occasional appearances on the 1990s series "Babylon 5."