Actor Walter Koenig, Star Trek's Chekov, dies at age 90

Walter Koenig, the actor best known for playing Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek series, died on Sunday at his home in North Hollywood. He was 90. His representative confirmed that he died of natural causes, with his daughter and niece beside him.

Koenig joined Star Trek in its second season in 1967. He appeared in 36 episodes before the show ended in 1969, and later returned for seven Star Trek films. His character was a Russian navigator on the starship Enterprise. This was unusual at the time, because the United States and the Soviet Union were rivals during the Cold War.

Co-star George Takei was among those who confirmed the news. Koenig had cancelled several public appearances earlier this year due to poor health.