Walter Koenig, who played exuberant Russian navigator Pavel Chekov on the original “Star Trek” series and many of the franchise’s ensuing films, has died at the age of 90.
The actor died “of old age at home in North Hollywood” on Sunday, his agent Zachery McGinnis said in an email.
Although Koenig’s Chekov – with his modified mop-top haircut and thick accent – is remembered as a critical crew member aboard the USS Enterprise, he was actually added to the program in its second season as creator Gene Roddenberry was looking to add a youthful sex symbol to the show.
