William Shatner has paid tribute to his late Star Trek co star, Walter Koenig, who passed away earlier this week aged 90.
The actor's death was confirmed by his representatives, who said that he died on Sunday of natural causes at his North Hollywood home, according to reports in The Hollywood Reporter.
"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", Galactic Productions' founder, Zachary McGinnis said in a statement.
Mr McGinniss also hailed Koenig for understanding "what Star Trek meant to people and embraced the community that grew around it".
Koenig played Ensign Pavel Andreievich Checkov in 36 of the 50 Star Trek episodes, which first aired between 1967 and 1969, and in several spin off films, and video games in decades which followed. He was also renowned for starring as Alfred Bester in another popular sci fi series, Babylon Five.
Taking to social media, William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the franchise, shared the following message.
"I am deeply saddened to learn of Walter Koenig's passing", he wrote.
Shatner continued: "Although we did not know each other well away from the set, we shared the later seasons of the original Star Trek series and the six films that followed".
"What I observed, and what so many fans have expressed over the years, was a man who genuinely loved the Star Trek community.
"At conventions, Walter was rarely content to remain behind a signing table. He preferred to be among the people who had kept Star Trek alive for so many decades", he added. "That kind of genuine connection is rare, and it will be remembered by everyone who came into contact with him".
"My condolences to his family, his friends, and the countless fans whose lives he touched".
Other household names who paid tribute, also include former Sex and the City star, Kim Cattrall, who played Lieutenant Valeris in the 1991 movie, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
"Rest well dear Walter", she said. "It was a pleasure sharing the bridge with you".
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Elsewhere, George Takei, who starred alongside Koenig as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek also paid homage to Koenig.
"My heart is heavy. Walter Koenig, our Ensign Pavel Chekov, passed away early today", Takei wrote on Instagram. "Walter and I met on the bridge of the Enterprise in the 1960s, and we stayed friends for nearly six decades".
"When Brad (Altman) and I married in 2008, Walter stood beside us as our best man", he added. "Just last month, on Sept. 14, he turned 90, on the same day Brad and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary".
"I will always treasure that he and I shared that date".
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The official Instagram account for Star Trek also paid tribute to Walter Koenig.
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Walter Koenig, also worked as a director, writer and acting teacher, and published his memoir, 'Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe' in 1998.
His late wife, Judy Levitt, an actress, passed away in 2022. Their son Andrew, died in 2010, and Koenig is survived by his daughter, Danielle.
