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Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
He played the Russian navigator in the original sci fi show and in the seven films based on it.
“Best known for his iconic role as Pavel Chekov in ‘Star Trek: The Original Series,’ Walter helped inspire audiences with his optimism, humor, and adventurous spirit. Beyond ‘Star Trek,’ his long and distinguished career showcased his versatility as an actor and his genuine love for his craft," a rep reported.
He never quite reached as high for the "Stars" again, but he's just the latest of the original cast to go. Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelly and Nichelle Nichols are among other stars of the 1966-1969 series who have passed on. Only William Shatner is still going strong at age 95.
Koeing was 90.
Walter Koenig, Chekov on Original ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 90
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Re: Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
Sad to hear this news. Koenig's "Moontrap" (1988) is campy fun, capitalizing on his sci-fi background. His book on the first movie, written while waiting around a lot (for a troubled production with multiple rewrites), "Chekov's Enterprise: A Personal Journal of the Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture", is worth a read.
One minor addition/correction on this:
RadioActive wrote:
Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelly and Nichelle Nichols are among other stars of the 1966-1969 series who have passed on. Only William Shatner is still going strong at age 95.
Shatner and George Takei (at age 89) are both still around. Everyone else in this cast photo from the original series is gone. A reminder that time marches on for all.
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Re: Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
I can clearly hear Walter's voice saying "wod-ka" in his charming accent with his distinctive diction.
R.I.P. 😞
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Re: Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
"Oh my!"
I'd completely forgotten about George Takei, who really has become unforgettable over the years. Thanks for the reminder.
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Thread Starter- newsguy1
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Re: Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
I interviewed Koenig years ago and he told me he was not allowed to do a "real" Russian accent.
He argued rightly that Russians pronounce the letter V, and do not switch it for the letter W sound.
He insisted he say the words Vodka and Vessel with a V sound, but was told by the producers that Americans "think" Russians say wodka and wessel
So he hhad to say that.
By the way it is Polish people who say "wodka."
Of course the joke here is that he himself had a New York type accent
It was amusing to hear him speak in his real voice.
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Re: Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
By the way George Takei gets really angry if you pronounce his name tah-KYE.
I once heard him yell at an interviewer, "it's tah KAY!!!!!
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Re: Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
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Thread Starter- RonaldS
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Re: Walter Koeing, Chekov In The Original Star Trek, Gone At 90
Takei and Shatner have a very acrimonious relationship, so both may just live forever in order to spite and outlive the other one.