About
"That camaraderie among Star Trek fans became more extensive when they started having conventions. It wasn't only what you'd traditionally call nerds. It was people who had a sense of humanity and a sense of justice. People who had imagination and people who loved monsters. It covered a much larger canvas than was initially thought."
In his three-hour interview, Walter Koenig talks about his start in acting and his short-lived career as a dancer. He describes his early years in television, including guest spots on Day in Court, The Untouchables, and The Great Adventure -- on which he worked with Lee Marvin. He chronicles acting on the pilot episode of General Hospital, as well as appearing on Ben Casey, Gidget (on which he worked with Sally Field) and I Spy. He recounts being cast in Star Trek as "Pavel Checkov," and recalls his over-twenty-year journey with the franchise. Koenig then outlines the cultural phenomenon of the Star Trek series and explains how it has affected his career. He speaks of his stint on the sci-fi series Babylon 5 as "Alfred Bester," and describes his then-current projects. Melody Chen conducted the interview on January 14, 2013 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Walter Koenig on being cast as "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek and making the character Russian
Walter Koenig on his favorite episodes of Star Trek
Walter Koenig on his Babylon 5 character "Alfred Bester"
Walter Koenig on attending Star Trek conventions
Walter Koenig on writing his autobiography
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on getting into acting
On early television he watched; on what attracted him to acting; on his first acting job
On acting in Day in Court; on acting in the made-for-television movie Goodbye Raggedy Ann and The Untouchables
On acting in the series The Great Adventure; on acting on the series Mr. Novak
Chapter 2
On acting on the series Mr. Novak; on acting on the series The Lieutenant; on acting on Alfred Hitchcock Presents
On acting on Ben Casey; on acting on Gidget and I Spy; on the types of roles he played before Star Trek
On being cast as "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek; on the development of the character of "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek; on the personality and look of his character on the show
On coming aboard to Star Trek in it's second season; on working with the different personalities on Star Trek; on Star Trek's iconic status
Chapter 3
On working with various people on Star Trek; on his favorite Star Trek episodes
On Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek; on the financial aspects of being on Star Trek and attending Star Trek conventions; on Star Trek: The Animated Series
On the legacy of Star Trek; on his post- Star Trek career and his writing career
On guest-starring on Columbo; on playing "Alfred Bester" on Babylon 5
Chapter 4
On his Babylon 5 character "Alfred Bester"; on then-current projects; on writing his autobiography; on his advice to young actors and how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Walter Koenig on acting on Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Babylon 5
Walter Koenig on playing "Alfred Bester" on Babylon 5
Walter Koenig on his Babylon 5 character "Alfred Bester"
Walter Koenig on the public reaction to his Babylon 5 character "Alfred Bester"
Ben Casey
Walter Koenig on acting on Ben Casey
Columbo
Walter Koenig on guest-starring on Columbo along with William Shatner
General Hospital
Walter Koenig on acting in the pilot of General Hospital
Gidget
Walter Koenig on acting on Gidget
I Spy
Walter Koenig on acting on I Spy
Incredible Hulk, The
Walter Koenig on his immediate post- Star Trek acting career and writing career
Lieutenant, The
Walter Koenig on acting on the series The Lieutenant
Mr. Novak
Walter Koenig on acting in the series Mr. Novak
Walter Koenig on acting on the series Mr. Novak
Star Trek
Walter Koenig on acting in Star Trek: The Motion Picture directed by Robert Wise
Walter Koenig on being cast as "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek and making the character Russian
Walter Koenig on the development of his character "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek
Walter Koenig on the personality of his character "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek and his relationship with "Captain Kirk"
Walter Koenig on the look of his Star Trek character "Pavel Chekov"
Walter Koenig on the challenge of coming into Star Trek in season 2 and dealing with special effects and props
Walter Koenig on working with the different personalities on Star Trek
Walter Koenig on the filming of Star Trek
Walter Koenig on the reasons Star Trek's iconic status
Walter Koenig on working with Star Trek producer Robert Justman
Walter Koenig on working with various people on Star Trek
Walter Koenig on his favorite episodes of Star Trek
Walter Koenig on Gene Roddenberry leaving Star Trek
Walter Koenig on playing a Russian character on Star Trek
Walter Koenig on the financial aspects of being on Star Trek
Walter Koenig on attending Star Trek conventions
Walter Koenig on the legacy of Star Trek
Star Trek: "The City on the Edge of Forever"
Walter Koenig on his favorite episodes of Star Trek
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Walter Koenig on not being asked to participate in the voiceover for Star Trek: The Animated Series, and writing a script for the series
Untouchables, The
Walter Koenig on acting in an episode of The Untouchables
Topics
Advice
Walter Koenig on his advice to a young actor
Characters & Catchphrases
Walter Koenig on his Star Trek character "Pavel Chekov"
Classic TV Series Episodes
Walter Koenig on his favorite episodes of Star Trek
Fame and Celebrity
Walter Koenig on attending Star Trek conventions
First Big Break
Walter Koenig on being cast as "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek and making the character Russian
Pivotal Career Moments
Walter Koenig on being cast as "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek and making the character Russian
Walter Koenig on his advice to a young actor
Pop Culture
Walter Koenig on his Star Trek character "Pavel Chekov"
Walter Koenig on his favorite episodes of Star Trek
Walter Koenig on attending Star Trek conventions
Professions
Actor
Walter Koenig on his advice to a young actor
Performers
Walter Koenig on his advice to a young actor
Genres
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Walter Koenig on playing "Pavel Chekov" on Star Trek
Walter Koenig on working on Star Trek
Walter Koenig on playing "Alfred Bester" on Babylon 5
Walter Koenig on playing "Alfred Bester" on Babylon 5
People
Robert Justman
Walter Koenig on working with Star Trek producer Robert Justman
DeForest Kelley
Walter Koenig on working with various people on Star Trek: DeForest Kelley
Lee Marvin
Walter Koenig on acting in the series The Great Adventure
Nichelle Nichols
Walter Koenig on working with various people on Star Trek: Nichelle Nichols
Leonard Nimoy
Walter Koenig on working with various people on Star Trek: Leonard Nimoy
Gene Roddenberry
Walter Koenig on Gene Roddenberry leaving Star Trek
William Shatner
Walter Koenig on working with the different personalities on Star Trek: William Shatner
Walter Koenig on working with various people on Star Trek: William Shatner
George Takei
Walter Koenig on working with various people on Star Trek: George Takei