50 Facts About William Shatner

Early Life and Education

William Shatner's journey to stardom began in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His early years were filled with experiences that shaped his future career.

1. Early Life and Education: Shatner was born to Joseph Shatner, a tailor, and Ann Shatner, an elocution teacher. His family is of Ukrainian-Jewish descent. He attended McGill University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1952, before deciding to pursue acting instead.

2. Childhood Performances: Shatner began performing at a young age. At eight, he attended acting classes held in a basement and later performed on CBC Radio (Canadian Broadcasting Company).

3. First TV Appearance: Shatner made his first TV appearance in 1954 on the Canadian version of The Howdy Doody Show as Ranger Bob, playing opposite Clarabelle, a clown who honked a horn.

4. Early Career: Shatner’s first credited film role was in 1951’s The Butler’s Night Off, where he was billed as “A Cook”.

5. Financial Investment: In the early 1950s, Shatner invested $500 in uranium stocks, which lost value when the Canadian government stopped purchasing uranium. This financial loss delayed his move to New York to pursue his acting career.

Rise to Fame

Shatner's move to New York marked the beginning of his rise to fame. His early roles laid the foundation for his iconic status.

6. Move to New York: In 1954, Shatner decided to leave Stratford and move to New York City to build a career on the Broadway stage. He was soon offered the chance to make his first appearance on American television in a children’s program.

7. Broadway Debut: Shatner made his Broadway play debut in 1956 in Tamburlaine the Great. His performance in this production introduced him to television viewers across Canada when he briefly appeared in the opening scene of a high-profile production of Sophocles's Oedipus Rex by Tyrone Guthrie.

8. Early TV Roles: Shatner appeared in various anthology shows during TV’s Golden Age. One notable role was in the 1957 episode of Studio One titled “The Defender,” where he co-starred with Steve McQueen in one of McQueen’s earliest major roles.

9. The Twilight Zone: Shatner starred in two episodes of The Twilight Zone: “Nick Of Time” and “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” The latter is one of the show’s best-loved episodes, where he played an airplane passenger who sees a monster on the wing.

Star Trek and Beyond

Shatner's role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek catapulted him to international fame and cemented his place in pop culture history.

10. Star Trek: Shatner is most recognizable for his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. He first appeared as Kirk in the second pilot of the first Star Trek television series and continued to play the role in all episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, as well as in the animated series and the first seven feature films.

11. Impact and Appeal: Shatner initially did not fully understand the enduring appeal of Star Trek. It wasn’t until 1975, when the series was in syndication, that he began to grasp its impact. He attended his first Trek convention soon after and realized the show’s significance.

12. Awards and Nominations: Shatner has been nominated for seven Emmy Awards and has won two. He was also inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

13. Grammy Nomination: Shatner was nominated for one Grammy Award for a spoken-word recording but did not win.

14. Family and Marriages: Shatner has been married twice: first to Gloria Rand, with whom he had three children (Melanie Ann, Lisabeth Mary, and Leslie Carol), and then to Elizabeth (Anderson Martin) Shatner, whom he married in 2001 and divorced in 2020.

Diverse Career

Beyond Star Trek, Shatner's career has spanned various genres and roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

15. Career in Television: Shatner has appeared in numerous television shows beyond Star Trek. Some notable roles include his stint as an assistant D.A. in The Brothers Karamazov (1958) and his recurring role as Denny Crane in The Practice and Boston Legal.

16. Police Series: Shatner starred in the police series T.J. Hooker from 1982 to 1986. He also directed Star Trek V: The Final Frontier in 1989.

17. Legal Drama: Shatner’s role as Denny Crane in The Practice earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama series in 2004. He continued to play the same character in Boston Legal, winning another Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2005.

18. One-Man Show: In 2011, Shatner began performing a one-man show titled “Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It,” which showcased his unique acting style and storytelling abilities.

19. Reality TV: Shatner starred in the NBC reality TV series Better Late than Never in 2016, traveling across Asia with Terry Bradshaw, George Foreman, and Henry Winkler.

20. Libel Suit: In 2016, Shatner was sued by Peter Sloan for libel and slander. Sloan claimed that Shatner was his biological father, a claim that Shatner denied. The case was dismissed in June 2018.

Space Travel and Recent Years

Even in his later years, Shatner continues to break new ground, including becoming the oldest person to travel to space.

21. Space Travel: On October 13, 2021, Shatner became the oldest person to travel to space when he blasted off onboard a New Shepard suborbital spacecraft developed by Blue Origin. He parachuted to a landing after the flight.

22. Biography Publication: Shatner’s biography, “Boldly Go,” was published on October 4, 2022.

23. Stage 4 Melanoma Diagnosis: In March 2024, Shatner publicly discussed his stage 4 melanoma diagnosis and treatment at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting. He did not disclose when the diagnosis occurred.

24. Documentary Release: A documentary about Shatner titled “William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill” was released in the US on March 22, 2024.

Financial Struggles and Successes

Shatner's career has seen its share of financial ups and downs, from early struggles to lucrative advertising deals.

25. Early Financial Struggles: Despite his later success, Shatner faced financial struggles early in his career. He had to work multiple jobs to make ends meet, including performing as a celebrity guest on various television game shows.

26. Celebrity Game Shows: Shatner appeared on numerous celebrity game shows, including Celebrity Bowling in 1974 and The $20,000 Pyramid, where he once flubbed an appearance and grew enraged, throwing a chair across the stage.

27. Advertising Work: Shatner’s most recognizable advertising work was for Priceline in the 1990s. He was offered shares of the company instead of a fee but sold them too early, missing out on significant profits.

28. Priceline Character: In 2012, Priceline killed off Shatner’s Negotiator character by placing him on a runaway bus that goes over a cliff.

Iconic Roles and Performances

Shatner's roles have left a lasting impact on television and film, making him a beloved figure in popular culture.

29. Star Trek Franchise Films: Shatner’s character, Captain James T. Kirk, appears in 10 of the 13 Star Trek franchise films. He portrayed Kirk in the first seven films.

30. Martial Arts Expertise: Shatner was trained in American Kenpo karate by black belt Tom Bleecker, who had been trained by the founder of American Kenpo, Ed Parker. This skill was one of the special talents that Shatner could offer to casting directors.

31. Early Television Profile: Shatner’s US television profile was heightened when he had a leading role in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents titled “The Glass Eye” during the third season (1957–58).

32. Broadway Success: In 1959, Shatner received good reviews for his role as Lomax in The World of Suzie Wong on Broadway. While still performing in this production, he also played detective Archie Goodwin in what would have been television’s first Nero Wolfe series, had it not been aborted by CBS after shooting a pilot and a few episodes.

33. The Intruder: Shatner took the lead role in Roger Corman’s movie The Intruder (1962), which Stanley Kauffmann of The New Republic described as Shatner’s first interesting performance.

34. Judgment at Nuremberg: Shatner had a supporting role in Stanley Kramer’s film Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), a highly acclaimed drama about the Nuremberg trials.

35. Family Theater Production: In 1963, Shatner starred in the Family Theater production called “The Soldier” and received credits in other programs of The Psalms series.

Legacy and Impact

Shatner's influence extends beyond his acting career, leaving a lasting legacy in popular culture and beyond.

36. Star Trek: The Original Series: During its original run on NBC, Star Trek: The Original Series achieved only modest ratings and was cancelled after three seasons and seventy-nine episodes. However, it remains a beloved classic and a significant part of television history.

37. Historic Kiss: The episode “Plato’s Stepchildren,” which aired on November 22, 1968, earned Shatner a footnote in the history of American race relations. A kiss that Captain Kirk planted on the lips of Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) is often cited as the first example of a white man kissing a black woman on scripted television in the United States.

38. Star Trek: The Animated Series: In 1973, Shatner returned to the role of Kirk, albeit only in voice, in the animated Star Trek series. This marked a continuation of his iconic character in a new format.

39. Spoken-Word Recordings: Shatner has also ventured into spoken-word recordings. Although he was nominated for a Grammy Award for one such recording, he did not win.

40. TekWar Series: Shatner has written a series of books chronicling his experiences and adventures, including TekWar, which is part of his sci-fi book series.

41. Celebrity Bowling Appearance: Shatner made an appearance on Celebrity Bowling in 1974, showcasing his bowling skills among other talents.

42. Failed Business Venture: In addition to his acting career, Shatner has also been involved in various business ventures. One notable failure was his investment in uranium stocks, which lost value when the Canadian government stopped purchasing uranium.

43. Philosophy of Acting: Shatner’s professional philosophy is encapsulated in his phrase “work equals work.” This approach has led him to participate in many projects that might be considered forgettable by some, but have contributed to his diverse and extensive career.

44. Personal Life: Shatner breeds and owns champion horses. His personal life has been marked by both professional success and personal challenges, including a stage 4 melanoma diagnosis in 2024.

45. Documentary Release: The documentary “William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill” provides a comprehensive look at Shatner’s life and career, featuring interviews with him and those who have worked with him over the years.

46. Impact on Pop Culture: Shatner’s influence on pop culture extends beyond his acting career. He has become a cultural icon, symbolizing the enduring appeal of Star Trek and its impact on science fiction fandom.

47. Fan Conventions: Shatner has been a regular attendee at fan conventions, where he engages with fans and shares his experiences. His connection with fans has been a significant aspect of his career, fostering a sense of community among Star Trek enthusiasts.

48. Shakespearean Performances: Shatner has performed Shakespearean sonnets in a one-man show, where he opened the floor to questions from the audience. This experience helped him understand the enduring appeal of Star Trek and its impact on popular culture.

49. Legacy: Shatner’s legacy extends beyond his acting career. He has been inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame and has won multiple Emmy Awards for his performances in The Practice and Boston Legal.

50. Continued Contributions: Even in his nineties, Shatner continues to contribute to the entertainment industry. His recent space travel and public discussions about his health diagnosis highlight his ongoing commitment to sharing his experiences with the world.

Shatner's Enduring Legacy

William Shatner's career is nothing short of legendary. From his early days on Canadian radio to becoming Captain Kirk, he's left an indelible mark on pop culture. His roles in Star Trek, T.J. Hooker, and Boston Legal showcase his versatility. Beyond acting, Shatner's ventures into spoken-word recordings, reality TV, and even space travel highlight his adventurous spirit. His personal life, marked by both triumphs and challenges, adds depth to his public persona. Shatner's influence extends beyond the screen, impacting fans and the entertainment industry alike. Even in his nineties, he continues to inspire with his resilience and passion. Whether through his iconic roles or his real-life adventures, Shatner remains a beloved figure whose legacy will endure for generations.