PAVEL CHEKOV
Name: Pavel Andreievich Chekov
Pavel Andreievich Chekov played by Walter
Koenig, is a Russian Starfleet officer in the fictional Star Trek universe. In
the 2009 Star Trek film, Chekov will be portrayed by Anton Yelchin.
Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry stated for the series' 25th anniversary
special that he created Chekov's character in response to a Pravda article that
noted that although the Soviet Union was a leader in space exploration, the
international crew of the Enterprise lacked a Russian character. Including
someone from Russia, the United States' long-time Cold War adversary, matched
well with Roddenberry's vision of an ideal future in which the people of the
Earth were united. (This story had actually been published in TV Guide after the
character was introduced.)
Evidence suggests that Pravda never published such an article, and the story
that it did and that this inspired the character is believed to be a publicity
stunt and a fabrication by either Roddenberry or an overzealous publicity agent.
However, Roddenberry did write a letter to Mikhail Zinyanin, editor of Pravda,
on 1967-10-10 (reproduced on pages 343-344 of Inside Star Trek) informing him of
the introduction of the character, and an NBC press release announcing the
character at the time did state that it was in response to a Pravda article.
Koenig always denied the "Russian origin" story and said the character was added
in response to the popularity of The Monkees' Davy Jones, and the character's
hairstyle and appearance are a direct reference to this.
Chekov first appeared in Catspaw, the first episode of the second season, making
him the last of the original core Star Trek characters to appear.
Name: Pavel Andreievich Chekov
Pavel Andreievich Chekov played by Walter
Koenig, is a Russian Starfleet officer in the fictional Star Trek universe. In
the 2009 Star Trek film, Chekov will be portrayed by Anton Yelchin.
Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry stated for the series' 25th anniversary
special that he created Chekov's character in response to a Pravda article that
noted that although the Soviet Union was a leader in space exploration, the
international crew of the Enterprise lacked a Russian character. Including
someone from Russia, the United States' long-time Cold War adversary, matched
well with Roddenberry's vision of an ideal future in which the people of the
Earth were united. (This story had actually been published in TV Guide after the
character was introduced.)
Evidence suggests that Pravda never published such an article, and the story
that it did and that this inspired the character is believed to be a publicity
stunt and a fabrication by either Roddenberry or an overzealous publicity agent.
However, Roddenberry did write a letter to Mikhail Zinyanin, editor of Pravda,
on 1967-10-10 (reproduced on pages 343-344 of Inside Star Trek) informing him of
the introduction of the character, and an NBC press release announcing the
character at the time did state that it was in response to a Pravda article.
Koenig always denied the "Russian origin" story and said the character was added
in response to the popularity of The Monkees' Davy Jones, and the character's
hairstyle and appearance are a direct reference to this.
Chekov first appeared in Catspaw, the first episode of the second season, making
him the last of the original core Star Trek characters to appear.