Walter Koenig's death certificate lists cardiac arrest and heart failure as causes

Walter Koenig, best known for portraying Pavel Chekov in the original "Star Trek" series, died at his Los Angeles home on Oct. 25, 2025, at age 90. A death certificate obtained by media outlets indicates the primary cause was cardiopulmonary arrest, with chronic diastolic congestive heart failure as an underlying condition and acute renal failure listed as a significant contributing factor.

Koenig was surrounded by his daughter and niece at the time of his passing, according to his representative. > "Today we mourn the passing of Walter Koenig, whose talent, warmth, and unforgettable performances left a lasting mark on generations of fans around the world," the representative, Zachary McGinnis, said in a statement.

Former "Star Trek" co-stars, including William Shatner and George Takei, also posted tributes, noting Koenig's frequent presence at fan conventions and his genuine connection with the Star Trek community.

Born in Chicago on Sept. 14, 1936, Koenig began acting in high school and later appeared in a range of television shows such as "Day in Court," "General Hospital," "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour," as well as later credits including "Columbo," "Futurama" and "Babylon 5." He was married to fellow actress Judy Levitt for 57 years until her death in 2022 and was predeceased by their son Andrew in 2010. In addition to acting, Koenig directed theater productions, taught acting classes and authored published works.