William Shatner

William Shatner
Name	William Shatner
Caption	Shatner in 2019
Birth date	22 March 1931
Birth place	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Occupation	Actor, author, director, producer, singer
Years active	1951–present
Spouse	Gloria Rand (1956–1969), Marcy Lafferty (1973–1996), Nerine Kidd (1997–1999), Elizabeth Martin (2001–2020)

William Shatner is a Canadian actor, author, producer, and director whose career spans over seven decades, achieving global fame for his portrayal of Captain Kirk in the original ''Star Trek'' television series and its subsequent film franchise. His diverse body of work includes notable roles in series like ''T. J. Hooker'' and Boston Legal, a prolific output as an author, and a unique foray into spoken word music. Shatner's iconic status and self-aware persona have cemented him as a significant figure in popular culture, recognized with numerous awards including an Emmy Award and a Tony Award.

Early life and education

Born in Montreal, he was the son of Anne Garmaise and Joseph Shatner, a clothing manufacturer. He developed an early interest in performance, participating in drama at Westhill High School before pursuing formal training at the McGill University Faculty of Arts, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1952. While at McGill, he was actively involved in the Moyse Hall Theatre and the Montreal Repertory Theatre, honing his craft under influential figures in Canadian theatre. His early professional stage work included performances at the Mountain Playhouse in Montreal and at the CBC, setting the foundation for his move to a career in New York City.

Career

After moving to the United States, he began securing roles on Broadway, appearing in productions like The World of Suzie Wong and ''A Shot in the Dark''. His early film work included a supporting role in Judgment at Nuremberg. His career-defining role came in 1966 when he was cast as the commanding officer of the USS ''Enterprise'' in Gene Roddenberry's science fiction series ''Star Trek'', which achieved cult status in syndication and led to a series of feature films beginning with Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Parallel to his science fiction fame, he starred in the police drama ''T. J. Hooker'' and later enjoyed critical acclaim for his role as Denny Crane on The Practice and its spin-off Boston Legal, winning two Emmy Awards. His career also encompasses directing films like Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, prolific voice work in series such as The Simpsons and Family Guy, and a series of spoken word musical albums, most famously his 1968 rendition of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

Personal life

He has been married four times, to actresses Gloria Rand and Marcy Lafferty, then to Nerine Kidd, and later to Elizabeth Martin; the latter three marriages ended in divorce. He has three daughters, Leslie Shatner, Lisabeth Shatner, and Melanie Shatner. A longtime enthusiast of equestrianism, he has bred and shown American Saddlebred and Arabian horses, winning numerous championships at events like the Kentucky State Fair. In 2021, he traveled as a passenger on the New Shepard spacecraft operated by Blue Origin, becoming the oldest person to reach the Kármán line.

Filmography and discography

His extensive filmography includes the ''Star Trek'' film series, ''The Brothers Karamazov'', Kingdom of the Spiders, and Miss Congeniality. Notable television credits beyond his signature roles include hosting Rescue 911 and appearing on Third Rock from the Sun and ''Haven''. His distinctive musical output includes the albums The Transformed Man, Seeking Major Tom, and Ponder the Mystery, featuring collaborations with artists like Ben Folds and Joe Jackson. He has also authored a series of science fiction novels co-written with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens and several non-fiction works.

Awards and honors

His accolades include a Tony Award for his role in ''A Shot in the Dark'' on Broadway, two Primetime Emmy Awards for Boston Legal, and a Golden Globe Award nomination for the same role. He has received a Saturn Award for his work in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and a TV Land Award. In 2011, he was honored with a Governor General's Performing Arts Award in Canada. He has a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Canada's Walk of Fame.

Legacy and cultural impact

His portrayal of Captain Kirk is indelibly etched into 20th-century culture, influencing countless actors and becoming a central icon of the Star Trek franchise. His unique, often-imitated delivery and self-parodying persona have made him a frequent subject of satire on shows like Saturday Night Live and Robot Chicken. Beyond acting, his ventures into music, literature, and commercial endorsements for brands like Priceline.com demonstrate a multifaceted career that transcends his most famous role. His late-life spaceflight further solidified his public image as an explorer, blurring the lines between his fictional persona and real-life adventure.

Category:William Shatner Category:1931 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian film actors Category:Canadian television actors Category:People from Montreal