William Shatner

Biography

William Shatner, OC, born on March 22, 1931, is a celebrated Canadian actor whose career has spanned over seven decades. He is primarily recognized for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, first appearing in 1966 during the second pilot of the original Star Trek series and concluding his portrayal in the film Star Trek Generations in 1994.

Shatner's acting journey began in Canadian cinema and television before he transitioned to guest roles in various American shows. He starred as Kirk in all episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, participated in 21 of the 22 episodes of Star Trek: The Animated Series, and featured in the first seven Star Trek films. Beyond acting, he has penned a series of books detailing his life and experiences within the Starfleet world, as well as several novels set in the Star Trek universe and the TekWar series, which was adapted for television.

His post-Kirk career has included diverse roles in both comedy and drama, such as the veteran police sergeant in T.J. Hooker (1982–1986) and the memorable "Big Giant Head" in 3rd Rock from the Sun. His portrayal of attorney Denny Crane in Boston Legal earned him two Emmy Awards. In 2021, at age 90, Shatner made history by becoming the oldest person to travel to space aboard Blue Origin's NS-18, where he experienced the profound "overview effect."