Star Trek Actor Walter Koenig's Favorite Role Was Part Of A Different Sci-Fi Franchise
Walter Koenig is best remembered for his role in "Star Trek," but Ensign Pavel Chekov wasn't actually his favorite character from his resume.
Walter Koenig, best known for his role as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek, had a lengthy career in various sci-fi shows, with Babylon 5 being his most notable. The Chicago native portrayed the antagonistic senior Psi Corps officer Alfred Bester in this beloved space opera, which ran for five seasons and remains one of the few 90s sci-fi series that still holds up today.
In an interview with The Television Academy, Koenig explained why he loved playing a character that wasn't just reactive. Unlike Captain Kirk's typical "I don't know what's up there," Bester moved the story along and was actively involved in it. Intelligent, charismatic, and determined to enforce Psi Corps' rules, Koenig felt Bester was a more compelling character than Chekov.
During a 2011 interview, Koenig described playing Bester on Babylon 5 as a wonderful experience that allowed him to flex his acting muscles more. He considered the role a highlight of his acting career.
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