'Star Trek' actor Walter Koenig's cause of death released
KiMi Robinson and Liza Esquibias, USA TODAYTue, November 3, 2026 at 11:44 PM UTC
Original "Star Trek" cast member Walter Koenig's cause of death has been released.
The primary cause of the 90-year-old's death on Oct. 25 was cardiopulmonary arrest – or cardiac arrest, when a person's heart stops beating – according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ and People. Chronic diastolic congestive heart failure was an underlying cause, and acute renal failure was listed as a significant contributing condition.
TMZ was first to report the news.
Diastolic heart failure happens when a person's "heart muscle is stiff and does not fill up with blood easily, even though pumping power is normal," according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus.
Acute kidney failure occurs when the kidneys rapidly lose their ability to filter waste and regulate fluids and electrolytes in the body, per MedlinePlus.
The actor, best known for playing Russian navigator Pavel Chekov in the original "Star Trek" television series and subsequent films, was surrounded by his daughter and niece at his home in Los Angeles when he died, his representative told USA TODAY on Oct. 26.
What to know about Walter Koenig's death — What his rep said and inside actor's long career
"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," his representative, Zachary McGinnis, said in a statement.
"Walter's legacy extends far beyond the screen," McGinnis continued. "Through countless convention appearances and interactions with fans, he shared his kindness, wit, and appreciation with everyone fortunate enough to meet him. He understood what 'Star Trek' meant to people and embraced the community that grew around it."
How Walter Koenig's 'Star Trek' costars remembered him
His "Star Trek" colleagues, including William Shatner and George Takei, also spoke out about Koenig's special connection with fans in tributes they posted after his death.
"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," Shatner wrote in an X post.
He added, "That kind of genuine connection is rare, and it will be remembered by everyone who came into contact with him."
Koenig was born in Chicago on Sept. 14, 1936, and was raised primarily in New York City. He began his acting career in high school and landed his first onscreen gigs in the 1960s, with small parts on shows like "Day in Court," "General Hospital" and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour."
Among his many other credits are "Columbo," "Futurama" and "Babylon 5," which also featured his "Star Trek" costar and wife Judy Levitt.
The pair was married for 57 years, until her death in December 2022. Koenig is also predeceased by their son Andrew, who died by suicide in 2010 at the age of 41.
In addition to acting, Koenig directed several theater productions, taught acting classes and was a published author.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Star Trek' actor Walter Koenig's cause of death released
Source: Entertainment
