Walter Koenig, known for playing Chekov in Star Trek, also appeared in Columbo as a police officer named Morella. His brief role came in “Fade In to Murder,” an episode that also featured fellow Star Trek actor William Shatner.
Shatner played Ward Fowler, a television star whose former lover threatened to reveal that he had left the army without permission during the Korean War, putting his public image and career at risk. Fowler wore a ski mask and pretended to rob a food store, where he shot her in the back.
In his scene, Morella explained what had happened at the store. Koenig was filming with Columbo star Peter Falk at 2 a.m. when Falk requested a change. He thought Morella's written dialogue was too similar to Columbo's own description of the crime.
With no time for a full rewrite, Falk explained what he wanted instead. Koenig then improvised, creating his dialogue as the camera recorded. His account described the robber taking money, attacking a man behind the counter, and shooting the woman as she tried to escape. He completed the scene in a single take.
