Many actors in the sci-fi genre long for just one iconic character to call their own. Walter Koenig has two — Babylon 5 aficionados know and love him for his work as bad guy Alfred Bester, while Trek fans remember him best for his portrayal of the genial Pavel Chekov. Both roles spotlighted Koenig's considerable talents as an actor.

Koenig shined as the sometimes impetuous Chekov during the original Star Trek's run, bringing warmth and vitality to the young character. He was also an integral part of the movies featuring the original cast — his performance in "The Wrath of Khan," which has Chekov being controlled by Khan via Ceti eel, is particularly memorable. There is, however, one aspect of the Khan/Chekov meeting that continues to plague fans: how did Khan recognize Chekov, as the young ensign wasn't even in the episode "Space Seed"? Koenig has a standard explanation for this, which he related at a "Wrath of Khan" DVD screening on the Paramount lot: "Actually I was in 'Space Seed' ... I was at the time suffering from [an ailment] called Malapropsky's Malady, which is a kind of 23rd-century version of Montezuma's Revenge, and I was ensconced in the bathroom and there for hours and hours, while poor Mr. Khan, genetically engineered kidneys about to explode, pounded pitifully on the bathroom door, banging, banging, and when the doors swung open, I stepped out, and he said..." [Koenig goes into an impression of Ricardo Montalban] "Yoooou! Yoou, I will never forget!!"

Koenig, it should be noted, has many other talents — he's a director, screenwriter, novelist, comic book creator and acting professor. His first book, "Chekov's Enterprise," recalled the making of the first Trek film. "Warped Factors - A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe" is the name of his autobiography, the name itself giving you a hint as to Walter's humorous take on life. His many other works include a satiric fantasy novel, "Buck Alice and the Actor-Robot" and a one-character piece entitled "You're Never Alone When You're a Schizophrenic," which was a finalist at the 1996 New York Film Festival Awards. And, as many Trek fans know, Koenig also wrote for Star Trek: The Animated Adventures, penning the episode "The Infinite Vulcan."

Even though he always has some sort of project in the works, Koenig still finds time to appear at Trek conventions and make guest appearances on shows like Diagnosis Murder. He can also find time to appear on stage, as he did in the David Mamet play "Duck Variations" with fellow Trek actor Richard Herd ("Admiral Paris, among others). Koenig was also on hand for the James Doohan tribute convention and Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2004. (We say this every year, but Walter's star has yet to appear on the Walk of Fame! This should be rectified, Hollywood!)

Last year, Koenig celebrated the 40th anniversary year of Star Trek by attending several conventions, notably Creation's Las Vegas convention where he teamed up on stage with George Takei and Nichelle Nichols. Walter also sat down with STARTREK.COM to do an interview, plus he worked on two "webisodes" — "To Serve All My Days" for the New Voyages series and "Of Gods and Men," a stand-alone three-part installment that should appear towards the end of 2007.

In 2007, Walter made a special trip to Burma to help draw attention to the plight of the citizens in this repressed nation. You can learn more about his trip here, and at his website. We encourage you to read up on this timely subject and help pass on the news.

STARTREK.COM would like to wish Walter a very Happy Birthday and many thanks for all of his work over the years.

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