Dragon Con welcomed Star Trek legend Walter Koenig to the Hilton Salon Friday at 5:30PM for an hour of conversation and reminiscence. Koenig’s friend and Trek Track director, Garett Wang, offered a master class on moderating a panel.
The session began unlike any this reporter has ever experienced. Just after his introduction and arrival on stage, Koenig, 88 years old and recipient of a quadruple bypass, decided to pull a prank on Wang. He dropped the microphone, bent over, and grabbed his chest. For a few seconds no one, including Wang, was exactly sure what was going on. After a short pause, Koenig straightened up, grabbed the microphone, and shrugged at his friend. With that, the panel was off and running.
Koenig’s career has long been defined by his work in the Star Trek franchise. A member of the original cast, he expressed deep appreciation for having been a part of it. But when asked which of the two franchise roles he found most fulfilling (Babylon 5 or Star Trek), Koenig went with the former. Alfred Bester, his character on Babylon 5, was challenging in ways Anton Chekov never was.
Koenig played Bester in just 12 episodes of Babylon 5, but the role and the series came up time and again during the hour. The actor took a winding road to the series. His relationship began when he read an episode for another program written by J. Michael Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5. In the wake of that performance, Straczynski wanted Koenig to be a part of his new series. Koenig was in line to play a part when, a month before shooting was to begin, he suffered had a massive heart attack and surgery. Koenig called Straczynski to inform that he was not going to be available to do the part. Straczynski wanted Koenig and delayed shooting as long as he could, but when he finally ran out of scripts, went forward without him. Nevertheless, Straczynski remained committed to bringing Koenig into the series, doing so through Alfred Bester. Koenig’s experience landing and playing the role of Bester points to the power of being open to opportunities and passionate about the work.
Koenig’s resume includes teaching stints at UCLA and the Sherwood Oaks Experimental Film College, and you could sense the teacher in him coming out as he spoke about Bester. Koenig pointed out that when someone mentions their aspirations to be an actor, he always replies with an appeal to their passion. The key to acting is a desperate desire to do it. The aspiring actor must be driven to the point that when they read a part they must simply declare, “I have to do this!” He admitted that over the course of his professional life he may have come across to others as mean or coarse. That was due not to dislike, but rather because of his drive and passion as an actor.
Along with that passion an actor must also be as true as possible to the character they are playing. Bester is one of Babylon 5’s great antagonists. To play the role Koenig had to commit to him completely. He “had to believe in him” and could not editorialize. Characters will always justify their actions, and the villain will always see himself as the good guy. When playing those roles, Koenig insists, the actor must embrace their character fully.
While Walter Koenig’s voice may have grown softer over the years, his insights into his art and craft remain keen and strong. Everyone in attendance benefitted from it. Walter Koenig will be answering questions again Sunday and Monday. You can also find him at the Walk of Fame.
