Legendary Star Trek actor Walter Koenig died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 90. And while he’s now known as the iconic Russian navigator Ensign Chekov on the beloved series, Koenig didn’t join the cast until the second season.
Why did the powers that be at Star Trek bring in Koenig? According to the actor, they needed a new cast member who the younger audience would appreciate. And that’s why “Chekov” originally had a different name.
“I think his name was Jones. And I think, you know, when I think back in retrospect, why they called him Jones even though he was going to be a Russian was because the whole idea was inspired by Davy Jones of The Monkees,” explained Koenig in a 2019 interview for the Television Academy Foundation archive.
Walter Koenig in ‘Star Trek.’ Photo: CBS Photo Archive / Getty ImagesCBS Photo Archive / Getty Images
Koenig continued, “They were looking for an actor or a personality that would appeal to the same demographic that Davy Jones did. Kids eight to 14 years old. And indeed, my mail was from people who were eight to 14 years old.”
What kind of mail did the then-new Star Trek star get? Koenig revealed the overall theme of his fan letters: “You know, ‘I think you’re groovy,’ you know, ‘I love your hair.’ Which was a wig, by the way. I got hundreds and hundreds of letters.”
The actor was so popular with the tween and teen set that, as he shared, “I actually, at one point, was getting the third most mail after Bill and Leonard. What a novelty. What an interesting novelty to get these big canvas bags of mail. Initially, I read it all. After a while, I couldn’t. But for a while I read it all. There was never any antagonistic or hostile mail about the fact that I was playing a Russian.”
Even though Star Trek originally aired at the height of the Cold War, Koenig’s fans didn’t seem to connect his character’s background with the political climate. But as it turns out, there was a very good reason. He explained, “Because these were all kids. And you know, they didn’t really know too much about the Cold War. They were just interested that they found the character appealing.”
Decades later, Koenig was still entertaining fans around the world. Following his death, the actor’s talent agent Zachery McGinnis told NBC News in a statement, “Today we mourn the passing of Walter Koenig, whose talent, warmth, and unforgettable performances left a lasting mark on generations of fans around the world. Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit,” adding, “Beyond Star Trek, his long and distinguished career showcased his versatility as an actor and his genuine love for his craft.”
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