William Shatner

William Shatner: biography

William Shatner is a Canadian actor, producer, director, author, and singer, who is best known for his iconic portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek television series and films. He has had a long and varied career in the entertainment industry, spanning more than six decades.

Childhood and youth

William Shatner was born on March 22, 1931, in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Quebec, Canada, to parents Ann and Joseph Shatner. His father ran a clothing manufacturing company and his mother was a homemaker. Shatner grew up in a Jewish family with two sisters.

During his childhood, Shatner was a shy and introverted child, often feeling isolated and out of place. He struggled with a stutter and was teased by his peers, which led him to develop a love of storytelling and acting as a means of escape.

Shatner attended McGill University in Montreal, where he studied economics and drama. He was actively involved in the school's drama society and performed in several productions.

After graduating from college, Shatner moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. He struggled to find work at first, but eventually landed his first professional acting role in a Broadway production of The World of Suzie Wong. This experience launched his career in the entertainment industry and led to his eventual role as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek franchise.

Movie and acting career

William Shatner's acting career spans more than six decades and has included a wide variety of roles in television, film, and on stage.

Shatner's breakthrough role came in 1966 when he was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek television series. The show was an instant success and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, making Shatner a household name. He reprised his role as Kirk in several Star Trek films and became synonymous with the character and the franchise.

After Star Trek, Shatner continued to act in both television and film, taking on a variety of roles that showcased his versatility as an actor. He starred in the popular police drama T.J. Hooker from 1982 to 1986, playing the role of Sergeant T.J. Hooker. He also had recurring roles in several other television shows, including 3rd Rock from the Sun, Boston Legal, and the sitcom $#*! My Dad Says.

In addition to his work on screen, Shatner has also had a successful stage career, appearing in a number of Broadway productions, including A Shot in the Dark and The World of Suzie Wong. He has also performed in several one-man shows, including Shatner's World: We Just Live In It, which was based on his autobiography.

Shatner has also lent his voice to a number of animated shows and movies, including Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, where he voiced the character of Two-Face.

Throughout his career, Shatner has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry with numerous awards and accolades. He has won several Emmy Awards, including one for his role on Boston Legal, and has been inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was awarded the Icon Award at the San Diego International Film Festival.

Overall, William Shatner's long and varied acting career has made him a beloved and iconic figure in popular culture. He continues to act and perform to this day, and his influence can be seen in the countless actors and creators who have been inspired by his work.

Music career

William Shatner's music career is perhaps one of the most unique and unconventional among Hollywood celebrities. Known for his distinct spoken-word style, Shatner has released several albums throughout his career, often exploring themes of science fiction and the mysteries of the universe. His first album, "The Transformed Man," was released in 1968 and has since gained a cult following. Shatner has also performed his spoken-word pieces live on tour, including a 1977 tour that resulted in the album "William Shatner Live." In recent years, Shatner has continued to release music, including the concept albums "Seeking Major Tom" and "Ponder the Mystery," as well as the Christmas album "Shatner Claus." Despite initial skepticism from some in the music industry, Shatner has continued to push boundaries and explore new artistic avenues with his music.

Personal life

William Shatner has been married four times and has three children. He was first married to Gloria Rand from 1956 to 1969, with whom he has three daughters.

In 1973, Shatner married Marcy Lafferty, an actress and model, but the couple divorced in 1996. He then married Nerine Kidd, a former model and horse trainer, in 1997, but she tragically passed away in 1999.

Shatner married his fourth wife, Elizabeth Martin, in 2001, and the couple remained together until 2020 when Martin filed for divorce.

Aside from his personal life, Shatner has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts. He is a supporter of several charities, including the American Red Cross and the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which he founded in 1990 to raise money for children's charities.

In addition, Shatner is an avid horse rider and has competed in several equestrian events over the years. He has also written several books, including a series of science fiction novels and several autobiographies.

Filmography

William Shatner has had a prolific career in film and television spanning over six decades. Here is a list of some of his most notable film and television roles:

Film:

• The Brothers Karamazov (1958)
• Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
• The Intruder (1962)
• The Explosive Generation (1961)
• White Comanche (1968)
• Big Bad Mama (1974)
• Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
• Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
• Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
• Miss Congeniality (2000)
• Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
• Over the Hedge (2006)
• Aliens Ate My Homework (2018)
• Creators: The Past (2019)
• To Your Last Death (2019)
• Devil's Revenge (2019)
• Senior Moment (2021)
• Fireheart (2022)

Television:

• Studio One (1957)
• The Twilight Zone (1960)
• Route 66 (1963)
• The Outer Limits (1964)
• The F.B.I. (1970)
• The Sixth Sense (1972)
• Columbo (1976)
• T.J. Hooker (1982-1986)
• The Practice (2004-2005)
• Boston Legal (2004-2008)
• $#*! My Dad Says (2010-2011)
• Psych (2011-2012)
• Better Late Than Never (2016-2018)
• My Life is Murder (2021)
• The Masked Singer (2022)

Animated:

• Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
• Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)
• Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020)

William Shatner's filmography is extensive and this list only represents a selection of his most notable works.

Discography

William Shatner has released several musical albums in collaboration with other musicians throughout his career. Here is a list of his discography:

• The Transformed Man (1968)
• William Shatner Live (1977)
• Seeking Major Tom (2011)
• Ponder the Mystery (2013)
• Shatner Claus (2018)
• The Blues (2020)
• Bill (2021)

Awards and honors

William Shatner has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry. Here is a list of some of his most notable awards and honors:

• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama for his role as James T. Kirk in "Star Trek" (1968)
• Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for "The Transformed Man" (1969)
• Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Captain Kirk in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1980)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame star recipient (1983)
• Canada's Walk of Fame inductee (2000)
• Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Denny Crane in "Boston Legal" (2004, 2005)
• TV Land Legend Award (2006)
• Order of Canada recipient (2017)