Sad news for the pop culture fans out there. Actor Andrew Koenig, who had missing since February 14, 2010, was found dead in Vancouver, British Columbia. Koenig had been diagnosed with depression, and had stopped taking his medication, according to CNN. The family stated that the actor took his own life. He was 41 years old.
Koening is best known as Boner from the 1980s television series Growing Pains, but had also appeared in several episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, following in his father’s footsteps as a Star Trek actor. For those who have seen the fan film, Batman: Dead End, Andrew Koenig made an appearance as the twisted Joker, who was offed by one of the Aliens.
Walter Koenig, Andrew’s father, and Star Trek’s Pavel Chekov, asked that anyone who is contemplating suicide talk with someone before committing the final act.
“If you’re one of those people who can’t handle it anymore, you know, if you can learn anything from this, there are people out there who really care,” he said. “You may not think so and ultimately it may not be enough, but there are people who really care.”
Sad news indeed, and I would echo the elder Koenig in regards to contacting a help line or a friend if you are going through a dark time.
7 Comments
Very sad, my heart goes out to whole Koenig family.
Damn.
Very, very sad to hear. My deepest sympathies to the Koenig family.
Wow… I’ve been following this story for the past couple of days, and I hate to see it end up like this. My thoughts are with the Koenigs for sure.
That’s truly a very sad end for a family that’s left a legacy of entertainment in TV and movies. Having also dealt with the death of a close family member due to their actions while in depression, I sympathize with the family and our prayers are with them.
That is truly sad news. I grew up watching Growing Pains & thought he was brilliant in Batman: Dead End. My thoughts are with his fmaily.
At the risk of sounding insensitive…I can’t help but wonder if being a semi-child start with a…in lack of better words…”suspect” character name had anything to do with his apparent depression. I remember Scott Baio becoming livid at the idea that people still referred to him as Chachi and CHaaaaaarles when he was out in public. Being called Boner your whole life by prefect strangers can probably get under your skin.