He was mainly known for playing a supporting part on the TV show Growing Pains, but I really liked him as the Joker in the fan-produced teaser BATMAN: DEAD END. To me, that is what the Joker should have been in all the Batman movies. I never realized it was the same guy, or that he was the son of Star Trek's Walter Koenig (Chekov). What a shame that his depression took such an awful toll on him and his family.
(http://www.foxnews.com/static/managed/img/Entertainment/2010/koenig640_doomsday_604x341.jpg)
(http://www.beyondhollywood.com/stillsx/2007/07/the-joker-darkn-knight.jpg)
I am sure our hearts go out to his family in such a terrible time.
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/article/tv.tvguide.com/tv.tvguide.com-andrew-koenigs-body-found-vancouver (http://tv.yahoo.com/news/article/tv.tvguide.com/tv.tvguide.com-andrew-koenigs-body-found-vancouver)
Such a terrible tragedy. My deepest condolences to his family.
Depression, anxiety and their various manifestations are so easily misunderstood and undertreated. It's really a shame, and sometimes tragic.
Sorry to hear about it any time it happens...
The debilitating effects of chronic depression and anxiety can't be measured. This is certainly a sad loss. My heart goes out to his family. Rest in peace finally now, Andrew.
Quote from: typhooforme on February 26, 2010, 10:17:21 AM
The debilitating effects of chronic depression and anxiety can't be measured.
My thoughts exactly.
I had no idea he was the Joker in Dead End...I absolutely
loved his performance!
Prayers and thoughts to his family and friends.
My heartfelt prayers and condolences, a terrible tragedy indeed.
Watching Walter Koenig's responses to the press, one gets a good (if incomplete) measure of the effect of such torment on the families and other loved ones of those afflicted... so moving, heartbreaking, and ultimately so needless.
Andrew, for all his suffering in this life, is doing better now, I'd imagine... my prayers for strength and peace go to his poor parents and friends.
It's just so sad. Hopefully some parent, spouse, or best friend somewhere, who has been dealing with a loved one's depression and now sees the news, can finally find the will and desire to ask the right questions, pay the right kind of attention, get the right kind of help. So often we think 'it's just them, they'll be okay, it'll get better,' and miss the chance to have made the difference. I've been in that position myself, and can say in all sincerity that events like these stir the bitterness in my own cup, as Denethor said to Gandalf.
I hope people take Walter Koenig's grief-stricken words to heart, and be more proactive. Maybe in that way some ultimate good can come of this kinds of tragedy.
Sorry to get all personal about it. I just have some experience with my own, and others', depression and anxiety. I know many of us have. These reminders can hurt, is all.
Sure glad we UMA family are such a fine, loving group.
Here's the YouTube video of BATMAN: DEAD END with Andrew as the Joker:
batman dead end (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjp0I_okX0w#)
Growing up a Trek fan, this feels like a loss in the family. I had no idea he was the Joker in "Batman: Dead End". Up until the "Dark Knight" came out, that short film had both the best Batman and the best Joker ever put on film. He was awesome!
Speaking as a parent, i can't imagine anything more horrific or traumatic than having your child pass before you do...it would be bad enough if it were due to a fatal physical illness, but something like this is simply beyond tragic. There are no words... My heartfelt condolences and healing wishes to the Koenig family.
I really felt for Walter. THe last time he was at CHiller I spoke to him about Josh and he felt his son was getting better. Oh, so sad.