Walter Marvin Koenig is an actor, writer, director and teacher born on 14th September 1936 in Chicago, Illinois USA, and is possibly best known for his roles as Alfred Bester in the “Babylon5” series (1993) and Pavel Chekov in “Star Trek”(1966-1969). He is also the script writer for the sci-fi legal thriller “InAlienable” (2008).
Have you ever wondered how rich Walter Koenig is? According to sources it has been estimated that Walter Koenig’s overall net worth is $8 million, as of May 2017, acquired mainly thanks to his recurring role in the hit TV series “Star Trek”, which brought him popularity and significantly increased his net worth. His later work and roles in various productions have also added to his net worth.
Walter Koenig Net Worth $8 Million
Although born in Chicago, Walter grew up in Manhattan, where his parents moved to when he was a child. Koenig’s parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants from the Soviet Union, who first lived in Lithuania and changed their surname from “Konigsberg” to “Koenig”. Walter went to Grinnel College in Iowa, but soon transferred to UCLA where he graduated with a BA in psychology. However, as one of his professors encouraged him to pursue an acting career, Koenig decided to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse along with actors Christopher Lloyd, James Caan and Dabney Coleman.
Although initially interested in stage acting, Walter moved to television in the early ‘60s with a role in the TV series “A Day in Court”. He was supposed to star in the “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”sries, but didn’t get the role, instead landing the role of Pavel Chekov in the sci-fi series “Star Trek” as the show’s creator Gene Roddenberry, was criticized for not including a Russian character. Although the show was canceled after its third season, its enormous popularity didn’t decrease, and secured Koenig some of the future roles, s well as adding to his net worth.
His next project was working on the animated show “Land of the Lost” as a writer, however, along with most of his colleagues from “Star Trek” he appeared in the show’s film adaptations which enjoyed a longer run than the original show, starting from “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” ( 1979) all the way to “Star Trek: Generations”(1994). Walter had a regular role in the sci-fi series “Babylon 5” (1994-1998) too, this time portraying a villain.
Apart from his accomplished acting career during which he has appeared in more than 40 different TV movies and shows, Koenig is also a writer. He published his memoir – “Warped Factors: A Neurotic’s Guide to the Universe” – in 1988, and thetheatre play “You’re Never Alone When You’re a Schizophrenic” in 1996, which entered the finals at the New York Film Festival Awards.
Privately, Koenig has suffered a great tragedy when his son, Andrew Koenig, committed suicide in 2010, after fighting with severe depression. Walter has been married to Judy Levitt since 1965, and the couple has a daughter, actress Danielle Koenig, in addition to their late son.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek: Renegades, Moontrap, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, Star Trek Generations, Mad Cowgirl,...
TV Shows
Babylon 5, Star Trek: The Original Series
#
Trademark
1
Ensign Pavel Chekov on Star Trek (1966) and seven of the Star Trek films
2
Unique Chekov accent in which he pronounces V as W, e.g. "nuclear vessels" becomes "nuclear wessels"
#
Quote
1
[on being cast as Pavel Chekov] I was only one of two people who auditioned for the part, which is quite extraordinary. Considering that this has so materially effected the last 35 years of my life... a couple of hours after I auditioned, I heard that I had gotten the role.
2
Star Trek (1966) has given me a considerable amount of satisfaction and a certain amount of respect in the industry community and among people who watch television and movies. I enjoy that. I enjoy feeling good about myself. God knows it's easy enough for me to feel bad about myself -- I need all the support I can get. Star Trek deserves the respect it has received. If I'm going to be aligned with something, it might as well be something that makes a worthwhile statement most of the time. No, I don't have any regrets about my involvement with Star Trek.
3
I didn't watch Star Trek (1966) the first year it was on, before I was on the show. I took one look at the Styrofoam rocks and said: "There's no way I'm going to watch this!".
#
Fact
1
His Star Trek character's full name was Pavel Andreievich Chekov, which leads to some interesting coincidences regarding the character's namesake and both actors who have played him. Pavel Chekov was the name of playwright Anton Chekov's father, and the Star Trek character was later played by Anton Yelchin. His middle name, Andreievich, means "Son of Andrew". Andrew was the name of Walter's son.
2
Best known by the public (and by many sci-fi fans) for his role as Ensign Pavel Chekov on the original Star Trek (1966) series.
3
His father, Isadore Koenig, was a communist who was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the McCarthy era.
4
On July 16-25, 2007, he was actively involved in the issue facing the humanitarian crisis in Burma. He visited refugee camps along the Burma-Thailand border.
5
His son, Andrew Koenig, committed suicide on February 14, 2010.
6
Was the only Enterprise crew member to interact face-to-face with Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982). Ironically, Khan recognizes him even though he did not appear on the original series episode "Space Seed".
7
Before becoming Chekov on the original Star Trek (1966) series, Walter Koenig auditioned for the role of hip surfer Stu Casey (later Riley) a character introduced for the 1965 (year two) season of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964). Koenig lost the role to actor Allan Hunt, who only played the role for one year since he was drafted into service in Vietnam. But the two actors stayed in touch over the years and are the best of friends. Allan Hunt even directed a play that starred Walter Koenig and Hunt's fellow former Voyage co-star Del Monroe (Kowalski).
8
His Russian accent is faked on the series, albeit his parents really were from Russia.
9
Is an avid collector: His collections include Star Trek Memorabilia (with a shelf completely devoted to the character Chekov) Buttons, Comic Cards, Pins and "Little Big Books". He gives us a brief tour of his collections in the segment "Life Beyond Star Trek" in the Season Two release of "Star Trek: The Original Series".
Often complained about the character, Pavel Andreievich Chekov, he portrayed over the years as having no levity on Star Trek (1966). As well as getting hurt through the motion pictures and television series.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6679 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 10, 2012 (four days before his 76th birthday).
15
Was cast as Pavel Andreievich Chekov on Star Trek (1966) because of his resemblance to Davy Jones. The producers were hoping to attract a younger audience, including girls.
16
Because his hair was too short, had to wear a wig in his first appearance on Star Trek (1966).
17
Was scheduled to reprise his role as the nefarious Bester in an episode of the Babylon 5 (1994) spin-off series Crusade (1999) entitled "Value Judgements". Unfortunately, the series was canceled weeks before the episode was to be filmed. Walter Koenig was terribly disappointed by this, as he has stated publicly that he considers it his favorite "Bester" script.
18
Is the only original Star Trek (1966) series actor not to provide voices for the animated version of the series, although he did write an episode for it.
19
Last name is pronounced "Kaynig"
20
Attended and graduated from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa with a major in pre-med. Transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he received his Bachelor's degree in psychology.
21
Walter Koenig is of Russian Jewish ancestry, which made him a good candidate for Chekov on Star Trek (1966). His family had emigrated from Lithuania, USSR and changed their original surname (Koenigsberg).
$8 Million
