George Takei pays tribute to Walter Koenig, Star Trek's Chekov and best man at his wedding, who died aged 90

Walter Koenig, the Jewish-American actor who brought Russian navigator Ensign Pavel Chekov to life across the original 'Star Trek' series and seven feature films, died of old age at his North Hollywood home on Sunday night aged 90, surrounded by his daughter Danielle and his niece. George Takei, his co-star and close friend of nearly six decades, revealed that Koenig had served as best man at his 2008 wedding to the husband.

Koenig turned 90 on 14 September — the same day Takei and the husband celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary.

Beyond Chekov, Koenig played ruthless villain Alfred Bester in 'Babylon 5', appearing in 12 episodes between 1994 and 1998.

Adam Nimoy, son of the late Leonard Nimoy, was also among those paying tribute to Koenig.