TMC
03-15-2025, 05:39 PM
7M_Jp57V5zY
Walter Koenig shares his incredible journey through Hollywood, from landing the role of Chekov in Star Trek to navigating the challenges of typecasting. He recounts his crazy audition for Chekov, and the competitive on-set relationships, particularly with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Walter discusses Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, including working with Ricardo Montalbán Hosted by John Cato, actor, voiceover artist, and moderator for over 20 years for the television and movie industry. John's background brings a unique insight and passion to the podcast.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:10 Has the role of Chekov been a blessing or a typecasting curse for Walter?
00:03:59 Did Walter ever get closure with the Chekov character?
00:09:14 Did Walter write an actor's bio of the Chekov character?
00:13:27 Walter tells how he was brought in to audition for the role of Chekov
00:13:52 Walter talks about his role on The Lieutenant with Gene Roddenberry
00:15:54 Walter talks about his part in Mr. Novak
00:16:31 Walter auditioning for Star Trek
00:19:49 Walter tells the funny story of how he found out he got the role of Chekov
00:21:31 Walter tells a hilarious story about getting trying on his wig for the Chekov character
00:23:57 The conflict of sharing a dressing room with George Takei (Sulu)
00:26:11 Walter's first impression of William Shatner
00:28:00 Walter left Star Trek for a month in the Third season
00:29:30 The one time Shatner might have complimented Walter
00:30:07 Leonard Nimoy stayed in character as Mr. Spock all the time
00:31:52 The couple of instances where William Shatner treated Walter as an equal on set
00:34:01 Star Trek 2 and Star Trek 4 fun film chat
00:36:19 The special scene with George Takei as Sulu that never got filmed
00:39:45 Walter writes a novel after Star Trek the TV series is cancelled
00:43:20 Walter talks about the ongoing on set competitiveness of Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner
00:45:31 Walter's thoughts about writing a story based on William Shatner's life
00:46:50 Walter disappointment on not being invited to the Russian premiere of Star Trek 4 The Voyage Home
00:49:23 Walter talks about his Russian immigrant parents and his mother's reaction to his role as Chekov
00:53:53 Walter talks about his lengthy chat with Anton Yelchin who played the most recent Chekov before his death
00:58:07 Working with Ricardo Montalban and Paul Winfield on the Wrath of Khan
01:02:50 Walter looks at the truth in the writing of The Wrath of Khan
01:04:25 Walter tells an awesome story on how they shot the famous Ceti Eel entering his ear
01:08:33 Walter talks about auditioning for Leonard Nimoy and Vic Morrow years before Star Trek
01:10:31 Walter talks about the residuals he has received from Star Trek
01:12:09 Did Walter have a sense of how popular Star Trek was in reruns?
01:13:52 Unbelievable story of a new Star Trek was going to be made but without Walter
01:16:42 Star Wars is released, Star Trek is back!
01:18:46 Walter talks about who he bonded with from the Star Trek cast
01:20:20 Why James Doohan 'Scotty" could be volatile
01:21:23 Spectre of the Gun - Did Chekov die?
01:24:08 Walter talks about the short film is trying to make
01:28:29 Walter tells a fun story of working with James Caan on Alfred Hitchcock Presents
01:31:56 Walter on William Shatner not talking to him while they shot Columbo with Peter Falk
01:36:45 The Questor Tapes with Gene Roddenberry and Mike Farrell
01:38:00 Gene Roddenberry wanted Leonard Nimoy to be the Robot on The Questor Tapes
01:39:00 Fun story from Walter when he worked on I Spy with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby
01:40:50 Hysterical story about Walter on a motorcycle on Ironsides
01:44:57 Really funny story of a mishap playing a fiancé' on Gidget
01:47:53 Walter recollection of working on Mannix
01:49:23 Walter tells a crazy story of writing an episode for the TV series, FAMILY
01:57:52 Walter tells a funny story around writing for The Incredible Hulk with Bill Bixby
02:05:10 Cher, Sharon Gless and Julie Christie want to do Walter's screenplay
02:11:17 Walter goes back to open the Science building at his alma mater, Grinnel College even though he was terrible in science when he was there
02:20:54 Walter gets psychology degree from UCLA but finds acting
02:24:03 Walter on being in acting class with Christopher Lloyd
02:29:58 What Walter's father wanted him to become as well as Star Trek: The Voyage Home., working with James Caan on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bill Cosby on I Spy, and Christopher Lloyd in acting class and much more!
Walter Koenig shares his incredible journey through Hollywood, from landing the role of Chekov in Star Trek to navigating the challenges of typecasting. He recounts his crazy audition for Chekov, and the competitive on-set relationships, particularly with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Walter discusses Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, including working with Ricardo Montalbán Hosted by John Cato, actor, voiceover artist, and moderator for over 20 years for the television and movie industry. John's background brings a unique insight and passion to the podcast.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:10 Has the role of Chekov been a blessing or a typecasting curse for Walter?
00:03:59 Did Walter ever get closure with the Chekov character?
00:09:14 Did Walter write an actor's bio of the Chekov character?
00:13:27 Walter tells how he was brought in to audition for the role of Chekov
00:13:52 Walter talks about his role on The Lieutenant with Gene Roddenberry
00:15:54 Walter talks about his part in Mr. Novak
00:16:31 Walter auditioning for Star Trek
00:19:49 Walter tells the funny story of how he found out he got the role of Chekov
00:21:31 Walter tells a hilarious story about getting trying on his wig for the Chekov character
00:23:57 The conflict of sharing a dressing room with George Takei (Sulu)
00:26:11 Walter's first impression of William Shatner
00:28:00 Walter left Star Trek for a month in the Third season
00:29:30 The one time Shatner might have complimented Walter
00:30:07 Leonard Nimoy stayed in character as Mr. Spock all the time
00:31:52 The couple of instances where William Shatner treated Walter as an equal on set
00:34:01 Star Trek 2 and Star Trek 4 fun film chat
00:36:19 The special scene with George Takei as Sulu that never got filmed
00:39:45 Walter writes a novel after Star Trek the TV series is cancelled
00:43:20 Walter talks about the ongoing on set competitiveness of Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner
00:45:31 Walter's thoughts about writing a story based on William Shatner's life
00:46:50 Walter disappointment on not being invited to the Russian premiere of Star Trek 4 The Voyage Home
00:49:23 Walter talks about his Russian immigrant parents and his mother's reaction to his role as Chekov
00:53:53 Walter talks about his lengthy chat with Anton Yelchin who played the most recent Chekov before his death
00:58:07 Working with Ricardo Montalban and Paul Winfield on the Wrath of Khan
01:02:50 Walter looks at the truth in the writing of The Wrath of Khan
01:04:25 Walter tells an awesome story on how they shot the famous Ceti Eel entering his ear
01:08:33 Walter talks about auditioning for Leonard Nimoy and Vic Morrow years before Star Trek
01:10:31 Walter talks about the residuals he has received from Star Trek
01:12:09 Did Walter have a sense of how popular Star Trek was in reruns?
01:13:52 Unbelievable story of a new Star Trek was going to be made but without Walter
01:16:42 Star Wars is released, Star Trek is back!
01:18:46 Walter talks about who he bonded with from the Star Trek cast
01:20:20 Why James Doohan 'Scotty" could be volatile
01:21:23 Spectre of the Gun - Did Chekov die?
01:24:08 Walter talks about the short film is trying to make
01:28:29 Walter tells a fun story of working with James Caan on Alfred Hitchcock Presents
01:31:56 Walter on William Shatner not talking to him while they shot Columbo with Peter Falk
01:36:45 The Questor Tapes with Gene Roddenberry and Mike Farrell
01:38:00 Gene Roddenberry wanted Leonard Nimoy to be the Robot on The Questor Tapes
01:39:00 Fun story from Walter when he worked on I Spy with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby
01:40:50 Hysterical story about Walter on a motorcycle on Ironsides
01:44:57 Really funny story of a mishap playing a fiancé' on Gidget
01:47:53 Walter recollection of working on Mannix
01:49:23 Walter tells a crazy story of writing an episode for the TV series, FAMILY
01:57:52 Walter tells a funny story around writing for The Incredible Hulk with Bill Bixby
02:05:10 Cher, Sharon Gless and Julie Christie want to do Walter's screenplay
02:11:17 Walter goes back to open the Science building at his alma mater, Grinnel College even though he was terrible in science when he was there
02:20:54 Walter gets psychology degree from UCLA but finds acting
02:24:03 Walter on being in acting class with Christopher Lloyd
02:29:58 What Walter's father wanted him to become as well as Star Trek: The Voyage Home., working with James Caan on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bill Cosby on I Spy, and Christopher Lloyd in acting class and much more!