A Conversation with Walter Koenig, Star Trek's Chekov (1994) 

He’s a good actor, but even more than that he’s a very good writer. His autobiography is terrific, and i can’t recommend his narration of its audiobook version enough.

Enjoyed Mr. Koenig immensely as Chekov. He really owned the part. Such an awesome actor and writer.

He just seems like a really nice guy.

I always thought there should had been an “Enterprise-B” series during the 90s, with Sulu as Captain, Koenig as First Officer Chekov and Sulu’s daughter still at the helm. We could had seen “Star Trek” continue on in the 23rd century, where the Sulu and Chekov characters could had been more fleshed out.

I love Walter Koenig! Met him at a convention and quite pleased. Awesome actor.

His laugh is incredibly adorable. At 35:56 his giggle is so high pitched 💜

Walter Koenig is a very talented man. I'm surprised that there are only been six comments on this interview. Yes, he frequently makes what he does look easy, but that doesn't mean that it IS easy!

He is another very interesting man that I had the distinct honor of meeting personally several several times and he keeps getting better and better it seems

What an excellent interview. Like the interview with James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols, this interview is perfectly done. I have to compliment Mr. Rosa on his technique. Very much like (the late) Brian Linehan, he keeps the camera on the subject, asks only a few of the most pertinent questions, and comes prepared with facts to back up his questions. Excellent in every respect!

Thank you for being so genuine as a person and such a wonderful actor.

He's a most articulate fellow, isn't he?

to me he's not Chekov, he is Mr. Bester. He always will be. I watched star trek first and then B5, I loved little Chekov in Trek but man was he under utilized him. He didnt get enough stage to shine there. but in B5, he was an amazing villain. He's not your average villain who laughs like a thunder and twirls his mustache but that kind looking guy who has a dark side. its so beautiful.

Being a ballerina (which I was) is much like being an actor when it comes to rejection. Being an artist is quite a unique way of being. Koening has a wonderfully wry sense of humor - which shows in his writing, too.

The interviewer Paul Rosa is rather good. He is respectful and asks pertinent and fun questions.

This is a fantastic interview.

I'm glad I found this. I really enjoy the interviews with Walter Koenig. He always comes off very intelligent. he's so well spoken, a very pleasant enjoyable command of language. And then I really dig this gentleman Mr Rosa interviewing him. Very soft spoken but easily to understand. he doesn't take away from the interview but asks questions politely. I'm struggling to find the right way to describe it. I'd say very charming. fantastic interview.

I had a slight crush on "Checkov" watching Star Trek when I was a little girl.

Every member of TOS is a such a well-rounded multi-talented human, its astonishing (and wonderful). However, what’s not yo be overlooked is this whole series is a masterclass in interviewing. 👏🏼💐👏🏼

Watch the entire series - very good interviews with all the Star Trek cast. A++

When I was a youngster, when Star Trek was new, I adored Chekhov because he sort of sounded like my grandfather (who was from Russia/Ukraine - came over during the time of the Tsar). I also tend to think of Chekhov as being, like me, Jewish. Even now, the character remains a favorite and I am one of those who sees Koenig as a very talented artist.

I was (and I am) an avid Star Trek fan and I rarely missed an episode. I consider Checkov to have been a principle character and became accustomed to his style of interacting with the rest of the cast. When I discovered the Babylon 5 series I reacted with amazement at the Alfred Bester character that Walter portrayed so magnificently. I remember wondering to myself where he found the resources within himself to play that role so wonderfully. A magnificent bastard! A man you love to hate! Marvelous! I recall a scene depicting a huge shoot out with the rouge telepaths on the station. The carnage was horrible. And there was Alfred, moaning about hemlines going back down! What an S.O.B. Your interview with Walter, Paul allowed him to present a glimpse of his "dark side" upon which he ,no doubt, drew to create Alfred Bester. My thanks to both you and Walter for this insight.

As you go down the supporting cast in any film or TV, of course you'll get fewer roles or screen time. After watching this, I think Walter was already mentally set for the lean times. Nearly any actor who gets down on themselves really can't handle it, Walter pulled through admirably. I ran across this series by the sidebar, GLAD I DID. Thanks L.A.N..

Your a great actor sir I couldn’t see Star Trek with out you. On the set

Gene Roddenberry said that he intended to develop the back stories of the supporting characters much like they did for TNG.

I really don't see what he sees. I remember many episodes of Star Trek where Chekov's personality comes through and you can see who he is. Unfortunately, in those days, they didn't really do ensemble shows, but instead had specific stars and everyone else was, as Mr. Koenig says, was furniture. However, Gene Roddenberry did try to bring out something from each character even though they didn't have a lot of camera time or a lot of lines, and I felt like I knew the characters more than just what they did on the Enterprise.

Great interesting interview 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Mister Bester

"Box and Cox" was written by J Madison Morton. Later, Arthur Sullivan composed a musical setting to an adaptation by F C Burnand. Koenig was mistaken to attribute the play to Sullivan.

THANKS ! WALTER KOEING (CHEKOV) FROM U.K.(2022).

Oddly enough I've had this vague childhood memory of watching a TV program where God is a Puerto Rican janitor. When Walter mentioned the play "Steambath" I suddenly realized THAT was what I was trying to follow on the local PBS station when I was about 11 years old. I couldn't understand it but I was intrigued that God was a Puerto Rican janitor. (The play was apparently rewritten for TV and aired by a limited number of PBS channels.)

Sounds like he made the most of his Star Trek fame.

Walter aka Chekov I think 💬 you are a great person and when you did Chekov accent was great.❤❤(⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠)(⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

Kahn: I don't know you, sir..........but YOU. I never forget a face.....Mr..........Chekoooov.

A real shame what happened to his son.

Love this interview! When and where did it originally aired?

Koenig did a fan-made film that was horrible with the exception of his scenes. I've used that film to show the difference between amateurs and professionals.

First time I've heard him speak without the Russian accent!

Like the others. I bet that you inspired others to boldly go. And keep the dream of star trek. You would of made a great federations captain. Or on deep space nine. .

Did not realiz that Walter Koenig did a character on Babylon V - rarely watched the show. Nothing against it - just never watched it. I thought he was great on Stgar Trek., A scene in Trouble with Tribbles stands out when he's having a drink with Scottie at the bar just before the barroom brawl breaks out. He has an argument with Scottie over whether Scotch was better or Vodka. He insists, of course, that Scotch was actually Russian invention. SCottie counters with , |"Laddie, back where I come from, that's soda pop. Now Scotch, that's the drink for a man!" Stupid censors removed the line from some TV versions. TRibbles was a fan favorite both for the light commedic tone as well as the bvrilliant character development.

Bester the psy cop was a great character

You guys wanna see Koenig being very evil? Check out the episode of "The Starlost" called "The Alien Oro". And also "The Return of Oro".

Jiminy Cricket, that intro was excruciatingly long!

Good writer. Good actor. Bad wig.

is THAT how u say it, i always thought it was like it was spelt

I gather he never finished that book "The Man Who wasn't there"....

Did I hear shots at Shatner when he's talking about Montalban having no ego

The interview looks like shatner with the curly toupee! lol!

i must say: as much as i´m convinced that he is not an outstanding (movie) actor i am convinced that he would have been better off as a scientist or philosopher as i get the feeling that this guy is a great and humble human being. "The fact that we are so disproportionally lauded for it doesn´t seem right" hits it right on the head. It must be so disappointing when people applaude you for just that one thing. Star trek (any one) is a cultural phenomenon but in it´s gravitas is WAY overrated. I certainly did not change MY live. I just liked Picard and the rest of the crew, growing up in a time where I as a ten year old found TOS cringeinducingly cheesy while certainly not being able to catch the hidden layers of morale and conduct...

As good as Walter Koenig played Chekov, the character was really generic. Not his fault. The character was written that way. I think Koenig really shines as Psi-Corp agent Alfred Bester on Babylon 5. A so much more nuanced and meaty role. Bester is a truly evil man but he does show his humanity sometimes. Even when he could have destroyed Mr. Garibaldi he chose to be “magnanimous”. Lol.

I love him (saying a lot as mostly I'm a man hater!) He is actually intelligent. Scotty...hes OK. Uhura.... Never liked her. Sulu... I HATE THE GUY AND THE CHARACTER. As somewhat bit part characters go, Chekov is perfect. As for Babylon, he's excellent. I wish Walter peace, prosperity and long life.

Sorta weird to see him with the toupee now.

An adrenaline junky🙂

Nice wig

Σο, he experienced for years great financial difficulties. It seems, despite their lovable persona, Shatner and Nimoy did not really care about their collaborators..

So his accent was just a act 😭

Hey, hey, its Davy Jones..😅😅😅😅😅