Walter Koenig

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Beaming Up and Getting Off: Life Before and Beyond Star Trek by Walter Koenig is a memoir by the celebrated actor and author. Mr. Koenig is mostly remembered for play Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek TV series and as as Alfred Bester, a senior officer of Psi-Corps in Babylon 5.

I thought it would be interesting to read Walter Koenig‘s biography because he’s career trajectory wasn’t as meteoric as other actors we all heard about. He is a success in his chosen profession, but has struggled even after finding success, yet remained a working actor.
The fact that most of us cannot imagine Mr. Koenig talking with a Russian accent just shows of his talent to take even a minor character, with barley any lines, and make him his own.

The author tells about his upbringing in New York, his childhood and the difficulties which plagued him through college. He does not dwell much, and only brings forth anecdotes which he felt have left an impression on the rest of his life.

For Star Trek fans there will be very little new in the Beaming Up and Getting Off: Life Before and Beyond Star Trek, Mr. Koenig goes through pains to say that many of the Trekkie anecdotes have been told before in books an conventions, yet I found them charming and informative. The author discusses the project he is proud of, including those that were abandoned. It really goes to show that a tough industry the entertainment business is when so many people (agents, executives, producers, distributors, and of course Lady Luck) have a say in your product. This is especially brutal when a promise is not a promise until the project has taken off.

The book is filled with wonderful, self-deprecating humor (as is expected from any person of Jewish origin), wit and charm. The author writes about his errors in judgement, the regrets he has for the few times (that he wrote about) acting like a “star”, he writes about the business he loves with a wink, but sadness of someone who has been through the wringer.

While this book is Star Trek heavy, it is not Star Trek centric. There are other books which relish with tales of behind the scenes anecdotes, and while Mr. Koenig does deliver, he does not immerse the reader in material that could be found elsewhere – and every anecdote does have a purpose in the overall narrative.

This book should be the standard of how memories should be written, fascinating, informative, witty, self-deprecating, but also sensitive, candid and, most importantly, reflective on the self. I felt that this memoir represents the experience of the majority of actors, a huge resume of supporting roles, combined with a life of uncertainty. Mr. Koenig has written a book worthy of attention, a fascinating and entertaining read.… (meer)

Walter Koenig’s Beaming Up and Getting Off: Life Before and Beyond Star Trek updates his 1998 memoir, Warped Factors: A Neurotic’s Guide to the Universe to examine the subsequent 20 years as well as adding more context to his early years. Koenig begins by detailing his family’s history, in particular that of his parents Isadore and Sarah, who were Russian Jewish immigrants, having shortened their name from “Königsberg” to “Koenig.” His father was a communist and faced FBI investigation during the McCarthy era, which shaped young Walter’s sense of right and wrong. In this section, much of Koenig’s narrative expands on mid-twentieth-century immigrant narratives, especially in his focus on ethnic neighborhoods and the feeling of alienation. His parents’ background and political affiliation sets his narrative apart, however, and will be of particular insight to those looking at the early Cold War.

Similarly, Koenig’s discussion of his college years and early theatrical experience reflects trends going on nationwide. Struggling aspiring actors may find it particularly helpful to read about his struggles to find his way, knowing that he made things work in the end. Naturally, most of Koenig’s readers will be Trekkers and he gives them insight into his casting for Star Trek’s second season as well as a breakdown of the expanded Chekov roles in season three that buoyed his sense of success even as the show’s overall quality began to decline. After these years of success, Koenig chronicles the lean years that followed, though he does give attention to Star Trek: The Animated Series, a venture that featured the original actors in voice roles and for which Koenig wrote the episode, “The Infinite Vulcan.” The series has only recently been by-and-large incorporated into the Star Trek canon by fans and producers. Koenig previously wrote about the making of the first Star Trek film in his book, Chekov’s Enterprise, so here he only briefly adds to it anecdotes about resolving some plot issues and seeing stars from television’s Taxi visit the set, which allowed him to catch up with his old friend Christopher Lloyd. From there, he details the subsequent films in which he tried to make sure Chekov had a good role while also managing egos in the two-tiered star system. In addition to this, Koenig began attending conventions and event openings, giving several fun anecdotes about the more memorable events. On a personal note, it was nice to see a shout-out to my hometown and the year I was born on page 222. Even though much of this occurred during the time covered in Warped Factors, he expands upon it with up-to-date commentary, such as a discussion of the lasting box-office success of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home as compared to subsequent films through the 2009 reboot.

Part II brings the narrative up-to-date from his work on Babylon 5, detailing further film work, conventions, talk show appearances, and more. In his appendices, Koenig includes his notes for Star Trek II, his story outline for Star Trek VI, and a list of his filmography. The entire work is full of a certain charming, self-deprecating humor and is sure to delight Koenig’s fans, though it will hold a special relevance for Trekkers.… (meer)