Walter Koenig Boldly Goes Where He’s Never Gone Before in an Interview!

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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!