Walter Koenig Says He Had Quadruple Bypass Surgery Before Landing Alfred Bester Role On Babylon 5

Walter Koenig is a world renown actor for his roles as Chekov on Star Trek, Alfred Bester on “Babylon 5”, and Futurama in a voice-over role as himself. With the passing of the original Star Trek member Harlan Ellison at the age of 84. The cast is making headlines again as there are not many of them left.

Most of the millennials today only know Captain Kirk, who was played by William Shatner from Priceline commercials. Other members include George Takei (Sulu), Nichelle Nichols (Uhura)and Walter Koenig (Chekov).

Speaking of Walter Koenig recently made an appearance on the Scoop B Radio Podcast with Brandon ‘ScoopB’ Robinson to discuss his time on Babylon 5. Here is what Koenig had to say. ”

” I love Babylon 5! It was one of those extraordinary circumstances both my Star Trek have weird stories that I can tell very briefly. Babylon 5 I was scheduled to an episode in the first season and about three or four weeks before I was supposed to shoot I had a heart attack. I was in Chicago, and I ended up with a quadruple bypass and had to call the producer and tell him I could not do the show. I said I won’t be available I will be in rehab and he says, I will we what I can do about getting you on something else. Lo and behold he finds this character, Bester and instead of a one-shot type of deal it turned into a recurring role throughout all five seasons. A part I absolutely enjoyed playing, which got a great response from the audience and I consider it the highlight of my acting career.”

He would continue by stating that he was only one of two people who read for the role of Chekov on the original Star Trek. Nowadays we know that numerous people are auditioning for roles. The Full interview with Brandon ‘ScoopB’ Robinson can be found here.

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Tags: Alfred Bester, Babylon 5, Capt, Chekov, Futurama, George Takei, Harlan Ellison, Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek, The Hype Magazine, Walter Koenig, William Shatner

About the Author

Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.