wear March 22 , 1931 , in Montreal , Quebec , Canada , William Shatner has been an indeliblepartofpopular culturefor a good circumstances of a century . Though he ’s most recognizable as Captain James T. Kirk in theStar Trekfilm and goggle box dealership , Shatner ’s career has encompassed everything from the early days oftelevisionto spoken - word recordings to his ownsci - fibook series ( TekWar ) .

The nonagenarian will be celebrating his 93rd natal day in 2024 , so we ’ve compiled 93 of the more compelling fact and point of the actor ’s life and vocation , from his painful confrontation withKoko the gorillato a failed attempt to get Captain Kirk some robot action . Happy birthday , Bill .

1. William Shatner was once an understudy for Christopher Plummer.

Shatner had been act in a miscellanea of theatrical productions before go to Toronto , joining the Stratford Festival company , and put on a product ofHenry Vin 1956 . One nighttime , when Plummer was suffering from a kidney stone — which the actorsaidhe primitively imagine it was a turn of syphilis — Shatner wascalled to the stageand performed the deed of conveyance office flawlessly , receiving a remain firm ovation . In his autobiography , Up Till Now(2008 ) , Shatner recalled “ that was the night I recognize I was an doer . ”

2. Shatner’s dad was not thrilled about his son’s chosen profession.

Shatner ’s vocation itinerary was not second by his founding father Joseph , who wanted his son to join him in the men ’s clothing industriousness . ShatnerattendedMcGill University and received a Bachelor of Business Administration grade in anticipation of doing just that before he decided to prosecute acting or else .

3. He made his official acting debut in 1951.

Shatner ’s first - evercreditedfilm role was in 1951’sThe Butler ’s Night Off . He wasbilledas “ A Cook . ”

4. One of Shatner’s earliest financial investments was in uranium.

In the early fifties , Shatner sank $ 500 — his full savings — into atomic number 92 stock . A day later , the Canadian governmentannouncedthey were no longer buy U . The financial passing delayed Shatner ’s move to New York to pursue his acting career .

5. One of Shatner’s first big TV roles was opposite a clown.

One of Shatner ’s first major television function was as Ranger Bob on a Canadian version ofThe Howdy Doody Showthat premiered in 1954 . Shatnerplayedopposite Clarabelle , a clown who responded by purge a trump . Appearances on live television , includingPlayhouse 90 , as well as anthology series likeThe Twilight Zone , follow .

6. Shatner is a noted prankster.

Shatner pulled a prank during shot of his classic 1963The Twilight Zoneepisode “ Nightmare at 20,000 Feet , ” in which he plays an uneasy passenger who thinks he sees a imp destroying the wing of the plane . Director Richard DonnersaidShatner was goofing off with a visitant on band — actor Edd Byrnes — and threw a dummy off the wing of the model plane , making Donner believe Shatner had slipped and fall to his death .

7. Shatner’s appearance in the 1950s Broadway playThe World of Suzie Wongled to a bit of violence.

One of Shatner ’s co - star , Ron Randell , beganreactingto whether or not he ’d get a gag on one of his lines by hit Shatner on the articulatio humeri . When the histrion turn down to stop strike Shatner , Shatner punch him in front of the audience . Fisticuffs ensued , which led to Randell accidentally dispatch an 86 - yr - old prop man and knocking him unconscious .

8.The World of Suzie Wonghelped to formulate Shatner’s trademark cadence.

notice some interview fellow member were not return after intermission , Shatnersaidhe began emphasize words — or yelling them — for overtop their attention .

9. Shatner tried to stay away from TV in the early days of his career.

Prior toStar Trek , Shatner was wary of accepting lead recur character in television , preferring to allow himself open for point or film opportunities . But he did take on the title role inAlexander the Great , an ill - plump 1964 costume dramaseriesco - starring Adam West and John Cassavetes . Only the pilot made it to air .

10. William Shatner and Adam West worked together again in 2017.

Shatner and West afterward turn together in the 2017 animated filmBatman vs. Two - Face , with West reprising his role as Batman and Shatnerprovidingthe voice of Harvey Dent , a.k.a . Two - Face .

Shatner played David Koster , a New York City district lawyer . The showfocusedon building cases rather than court scenes , foreshadowing the assumption ofLaw & Orderdecades later .

12. Shatner and George Lucas collaborated early on in their careers.

Shatnerworkedwith George Lucas beforeStar TrekorStar Warshad ever materialized . In 1965 , Shatner appeared in a short film titledThe Soldier , which was finance by the Catholic yield party Family Theater Productions and part of a serial on the Psalms . Lucas , then hang the University of Southern California , was the adjunct cameraman on the film .

13. Shatner wasn’t the first—or even the second—captain of the StarshipEnterpriseonStar Trek.

The original pilotfeaturedactor Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike . When both the show and Hunter break down to affect NBC executive , creator Gene Roddenberry approachedHawaii 5 - 0star Jack Lord to take over the captain ’s chair in a revise pilot . When Lord wanted 50 percent ownership of the show , Rodenberry turn to Shatner .

14.Star Trekserved as a reunion for Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

Shatner and Leonard Nimoy ( Spock ) had workedtogetherbefore : Both come out on a 1964 episode ofThe human From U.N.C.L.E.

15. Shatner improvised some fight choreography that ended up in an episode ofStar Trek.

Shatner expressed concern during oneStar Trekscene where Sulu ( George Takei ) , act crazed , attempts to attack Kirk with an épée . To avoid being injure , Shatner decided on some off-the-cuff choreography and lunge Takei to the floor . The tantrum wound up in the instalment .

16. Shatner made TV history with one of the earliest onscreen interracial kisses.

Shatnerparticipatedin one of the earliest onscreen mixed candy kiss on idiot box in the 1968Star Trekepisode “ Plato ’s Stepchildren . ” In the show , Shatner ’s Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura ( Nichelle Nichols ) buss while under the power of a malevolent alien race .

17. Shatner was prone to stealing Nimoy’s bicycle on the set ofStar Trek.

seemingly a japery , it was also Shatner ’s mode ofexpressinghis frustration at Nimoy being able to get to the commissary for lunch faster than everyone else in the cast .

18. Shatner has some trouble with the Vulcan salute.

Shatner is apparentlyunableto do the Vulcan salute , where the Vulcans ofStar Trekspread their four finger to organize aVshape . When instigate to do so by Conan O’Brien in 2009 , Shatner gave the talk show legion the in-between finger instead .

19. Shatner never actually uttered the phraseBeam me up, ScottyonStar Trek.

“ Scotty , balance beam us up”was often used .

29. Shatner’s daughters co-starred in an episode ofStar Trek.

In the 1966Star Trekepisode “ Miri , ” Shatner acted alongside his two daughters , Leslie and Lisabeth , whoappearedas tyke on a planet lie in exclusively of youngster .

21. Shatner was invited to a NASA gathering in 1968 to inspect a lunar module.

When NASA engineers presented him with a reproduction of theEnterprise , it crumble into pieces .

22. He earned a prestigious NASA award.

NASA did not patently hold a grievance about theEnterpriseincident , as the agency grant Shatner its Distinguished Public Service Medal in 2014 for hiscontinuedadvocacy for space exploration .

23. In 2011, he recorded a voice greeting for the crew of the space shuttleDiscovery.

Shatner ’s wake - up callwas dress to the root word toStar Trek : “ These have been the ocean trip of the blank shuttleDiscovery . Her 30 - year foreign mission : To seek out new skill , to progress novel outposts , to bring body politic together in the final frontier , to boldly go and do what no spacecraft has done before . ”

24. Shatner reprised his role of Captain Kirk for an animated series.

AfterStar Trekended in 1969 , Shatner assumed the role of Kirk next in an animatedStar Trekseries that aired from 1973 to 1974 . Shatner say he often recorded his lines into a magnetic tape record-keeper while traveling or on another acting project . “ It is very strange , read your line alone , ” hesaidin 1974 . “ It feels so disembodied . ”

25. He recreated a famousStar Trekfight scene more than 40 years after it first aired.

In 2013 , Shatner recreated his renowned fight with the Gorn — a kind of foreign gladiator — in the 1967Star Trekepisode “ Arena ” for a television commercialpromotinga newStar Trekvideo plot .

26. Shatner was a Hollywood Square.

Among Shatner ’s post - Trekprojects in the 1970s was a resort gig as a square onHollywood Squaresas well as a sister program for nipper , Storybook Squares(1976 ) , where actors simulate use for play the secret plan . On the latter , heappearedin part as Captain Kirk . CharoportrayedLady Godiva ; Roddy McDowall look as Sherlock Holmes .

27. Shatner did some stand-up comedy—including once in character as Captain Kirk.

Shatner also made oneappearancein character as Captain Kirk during a stand - up funniness booking in the 1970s . His idea was that Kirk fancied himself a comedian and that the humor would come from the jocularity being intentionally bland . The audience did n’t grasp the meta sense of humor and the performance was met with resounding silence .

28. The fame garnered fromStar Treknetted Shatner an offer to record an album.

OnThe Transformed Man , Shatner counterpoint great spell works with popular songs . But when heappearedonThe Tonight Show With Johnny Carsonin 1968 , producer pare the written - word part , leave Shatner to execute a bizarre spoken - word rendition of “ Mr. Tambourine Man . ”

29. Johnny Carson banned Shatner fromThe Tonight Show.

In his 2011 bookShatner Rules , Shatnerrelatedthat Carson later on banned him fromThe Tonight Showin the mid-1980s because Shatner “ talked too much and monopolized our discussion . ”

30. Shatner performed more than one bizarre spoken word performance.

In 1978 , Shatnerperformeda spoken - word rendition of “ Rocket Man ” by Elton John , a performance made more or less more bizarre by the fact it took place during The Science Fiction Film Awards , a televised awards ceremonial broadcast in syndication . Shatner also hosted the show . “ Rocket Man ” co - author Bernie Taupin preface Shatner .

31. He performed a one-man show.

In the late seventies , Shatnertoureda one - humankind show , Symphony of the champion : Music From the Galaxies and Beyondwith the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra . Shatner performed spectacular readings from the work of skill fiction writer likeH.G. Wellsand Arthur C. Clarke .

32. Bowling is among the many talents Shatner has showed off.

Shatner made anappearanceonCelebrity Bowlingin 1974 .

33. He lost his temper onThe $20,000 Pyramid.

Shatner once flubbed an appearance onThe $ 20,000 Pyramid , accidentally using the word in a hint with a contestant . Host Dick Clarkrecalledthat Shatner maturate “ maddened ” and threw a chairwoman across the stage . “ Fortunately , he did n’t make anybody , ” Clark say .

34. Shatner was in consideration as a possible host ofFamily Feud.

Owing to his successful plot show coming into court , Shatner wasconsideredfor the hosting role onFamily Feudin 1976 . The caper eventually went to Richard Dawson .

35. He appeared onCircus of the Stars.

Shatner made two appearances onCircus of the Stars , thevariety seriesin which celebrities execute circus routine . In his first coming into court , Shatner broke flaming boards with his hands ; he laterappearedwith horses .

36. His long career in TV commercials began in the 1970s.

The 1970s were a premier metre for Shatner to commence commercial indorsement . Heappearedin tell apart for Promise margarine and the Commodore Vic-20 computer , among others .

37. He was famously the face of a Canadian grocery store for several years.

Shatner ’s most memorable commercial smirch may have been for Loblaws , a Canadian grocery store chain that also had store in Western New York . Shatner appeared in theiradvertisingfrom 1972 to 1978 before being replaced by Loblaws president David Nichol . Shatner ’s catchphrase : At Loblaws , “ more than the price is good , but my gosh — the price is right ! ”

38. His most recognizable advertising work was for Priceline in the 1990s.

Priceline , a travel web site that allowed people to name their own price for locomotion bookings , offeredShatner share of the company instead of a fee . But Shatner sold the stock too early , when it was down to just $ 1 a portion , in 2000 . When it jump up , a story began to spread that Shatner hadmade$600 million in stock sales . ( He did n’t . )

39. Priceline killed off Shatner’s character in 2012.

In 2012 , Priceline obliterate off Shatner ’s Negotiator character byplacinghim on a runaway autobus that pass over a cliff .

40. It took him a while to fully understandStar Trek’s impact and appeal.

In his 1994 bookStar Trek Movie Memories , Shatner says that he first understood the support appeal ofStar Trekin 1975 , when the serial — which had ended in 1969 — was in syndication . Appearing in a one - humans show where he performed Shakespeare sonnets , Shatner settle to spend a portion of one even opening the floor to question . Most of them were aboutStar Trek . presently after that , Shatner attended his firstTrekconvention .

41. He was set to return to TV as Captain Kirk in the late 1970s.

Shatner was originally gear up to reprise Kirk inStar Trek : Phase II , a subsequence tv seriesplannedfor a fourth broadcast meshwork owned by Paramount . When 1978’sClose Encounters of the Third Kindopened , executives believed the franchise stood a better fortune on the big screen , and the project became 1979’sStar Trek : The Motion Picture .

42. One of Shatner’s ideas forStar Trek: The Motion Picturewas for Kirk to have a robot love interest.

“ For the first motion-picture show , I suggested an idea which was change state down , in which there was a distaff robot with no emotion , and I make love to her , because if she can be made to palpate emotion , humanity will be saved , ” ShatnertoldRoger Ebert in 1986 . “ They did n’t like that idea . I did . ”

43. Shatner disliked the script for 1982’sStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

However , writer and music director Nicholas Meyer was capable to make alteration in 36 hours thatwonShatner ’s commendation .

44. Shatner was thrilled when Sadiq Khan was elected London’s mayor.

In 2016 , when Sadiq Khan waselectedmayor of London , Shatner buoyantly tweeted out “ Kaaaaahn ! ” in court to his iconic lineage delivery inStar Trek II . Mayor Khan respond by following Shatner on Twitter .

45. Shatner broughtThe Wrath of Khanback to theaters—and tagged along.

In former 2020 , ShatnertouredwithStar Trek II , host a fan Q&A postdate a screening of the photographic film .

46. Shatner helped put out a fire on the set of 1984’sStar Trek III: The Search for Spock.

Ablazehad soak up a standing set on the Paramount mass that would have threatened the curing of the Genesis planet in the film . Shatner , fearful that the pic ’s production would found to a halt if the solidification had to be rebuilt , piece up a flame hose and sprayed it down .

47. Shatner hostedSaturday Night Livein 1986.

When ShatnerappearedonSNLin 1986 to help promoteStar Trek IV : The Voyage Home , he made a memorable appearance as himself in a skit in which he imploredStar Trekconvention attendees to “ get a life . ” But he was in reality in twoTreksketches that night . The other involved his Kirk heading up anEnterprisethat ’s been turned into a theme restaurant .

48. He directed 1989’sStar Trek V: The Final Frontieras a result of a contractual detail.

Because carbon monoxide gas - superstar Leonard Nimoy had lead 1984’sStar Trek III : The Search for Spockand 1986’sStar Trek IV : The Voyage Home , and because Shatner and Nimoy had a “ favor land ” clause that imply one would get whatever the other had , Shatner had the chance tohelm the fifth picture .

49. He was not thrilled aboutStar Trek: The Next Generation.

Shatner was not overly enthusiastic about the 1987 premiere ofStar Trek : The Next multiplication , the firstStar Trekshow conform to the original series without the original casting . “ I intend it is a mistake , ” Shatner toldStarlogin 1987 . “ To call a seriesStar Trekthat does n’t have the cast and the ship in it is an mistake . The error seems to me to be overexposure of theStar Trekname and the possibility of not suffer theStar Trekquality we ’ve become accustomed to . It stay to be ascertain . ”

50. Shatner had to shoot Kirk’s death scene in 1994’sStar Trek: Generationstwice.

In the first version , Kirk is shot in the back with a phaser by the villainous Soran ( Malcolm McDowell ) . mental test screening audiences reckon it was too chintzy a end for the captain , so Shatner and the production teamreshotit with Kirk sprinting across a collapsing piece of scaffolding to save the day before it falls on him .

51. Shatner’s idea for a great line in that scene was dismissed.

Shatner , who had often give tongue to the phrasecaptain on the bridgeduring the original series , wantedto say “ span on the captain ” during that climactic scene . The mind was grow down .

52. He resurrected Captain Kirk in a book.

Although Kirk died in 1994’sStar Trek : generation , Shatner revived him — in book form . The actorwrotea novel in 1996 titledThe Returnin which Kirk lives .

53. He permanently retired Captain Kirk onscreen in 1994’sStar Trek: Generations.

However , he did wind up seem on a futureStar Trekseries . In a 1996 episode ofStar Trek : Deep Space Ninetitled “ Trials and Tribble - lations , ” the crewtraveledback in time to write Kirk ’s life sentence from an assassination attempt . producer used footage from an episode of the original serial , “ The Trouble With Tribbles , ” and inserted Kirk and other cast members into the frame digitally .

54. He approved of the William Shatner Fan Fellowship.

Shatnerendorseda buff club named WISH , or the William Shatner Fan Fellowship , in the 1980s . For $ 8 annually , fans would welcome a bimonthly newssheet , annual , and magazine devote to Shatner ’s calling . The fan cabaret ’s president , Sonni Cooper , tell that letters addressed to “ William Shatner — Hollywood ” typically got to them .

55. When Shatner agreed to appear inT.J. Hooker, he didn’t realize he’d bestarringinT.J. Hooker.

Shatner starred in five seasons of the ABC copper dramaT.J. Hooker(1982 - 1985 ) , though he did n’t realize he was committing to a starring theatrical role . According toUp Till Now , the series was in the beginning conceived as a show that would rotate the focus among eight immature cops under the older Hooker ’s guidance . A strong audience answer convert producers to focus on the Hooker character specifically .

56. He did some of his own stunt driving onT.J. Hooker.

Among these stuntswas a “ power sliding board , ” in which Shatner ’s patrol vehicle would careen into the bod .

57. Shatner once directed traffic while in costume as T.J. Hooker.

During a dealings jam , Shatner — who was shoot down the series — jumped out of his fomite and began to motion for cars to move . Not realizing he was n’t a cop ( or perhaps realizing he was William Shatner ) , the drivers travel along his instruction .

58. Leonard Nimoy made an appearance onT.J. Hooker.

Shatnerreunitedwith Leonard Nimoy on a 1983 episode ofT.J. Hooker , which was an attempt to pad the show ’s evaluation against NBC comediesDiff’rent StrokesandSilver Spoons . Nimoy work a police police lieutenant out for vigilante justice .

59. Shatner inadvertently helped fund a wayward POW rescue mission.

In 1983 , a Vietnam veteran named James “ Bo ” GritztoldShatner and Clint Eastwood of his aim to deliver captured Americans in Laos , Vietnam . Shatner paid him $ 10,000 for the right wing to his tarradiddle ; Eastwood paid $ 30,000 . Gritz failed to find any POWs and was brieflyarrestedin Thailand .

60. Shatner wrote a novel in 1989.

Shatner hassaidhe basically mingle his two major franchises — Star TrekandT.J. Hooker — withTekWar , the 1989 novel he published with Ron Goulart , about a individual eye named Jake Cartigan in the 22nd hundred .

61.TekWarwas optioned for television.

TekWarwas turned into a series of syndicated made - for - television film , ultimately ensue in a USA connection serial thatpremieredin 1995 .

62. Shatner teamed up with the WWE to promoteTekWar.

Shatner get into the WWE ring onMonday Night Rawin 1995 to promoteTekWar , which was also airing on the USA web . HetossedJerry Lawler over his berm .

63. Shatner helped save hundreds of lives with a reality TV show.

From 1989 to 1996 , Shatner hosted the reality showRescue 911 , about real - life emergency calls . The show was estimated to have saved the life of more than 350 masses who act quick based on selective information glean from watching the series .

64.Rescue 911turned Shatner into a kind of authority on life-saving techniques.

As a outcome of his affiliation withRescue 911 , Shatnerendorsedthe National Safety Council ’s 1996 book , First Aid Handbook , which brush up the right communications protocol for a turn of wellness and safety hand brake .

65. Shatner’s face is seen throughout John Carpenter’sHalloween.

Filmmakersuseda Captain Kirk mask turn inside - out for the original ( 1978 ) .

66. He once went out on Halloween wearing a William Shatner mask.

Two of them , in reality . ( He direct one off to reveal another one . ) “ Everybody who opened their doors recognized me,”Shatner wroteinUp Till Now , “ but nobody knew who I was . ”

67. He had a memorable meeting with Koko the gorilla.

In 1988 , for raise awareness for the Gorilla Foundation ’s Endangered Species Campaign , Shatner metKoko , the famed gorilla who hadmasteredsign language . Koko recognise Shatner bygrabbinghim by the testicles .

68. Shatner performed at the 1992 MTV Movie Awards, but has no recollection of it.

Shatner onceperformedspoken - tidings versions of all five Best Song from a Movie candidate for the 1992 MTV Movie Awards , including Color Me Badd ’s “ I Wanna Sex You Up ” fromNew Jack City . Shatner afterward pronounce he had suffered a concussion earlier in the day as the result of falling off a sawbuck and does n’t remember the show .

69. He is a two-time Emmy winner.

Shatner haswontwo Emmys — not forStar Trek , but for his portrayal of Denny Crane , the gonzo Boston attorney that was introduce inThe Practicein 2004 and later spun off into his own serial publication , Boston Legal(2004 - 2008 ) , co - starring James Spader .

70. Shatner earned an Emmy nomination for3rd Rock from the Sun.

Shatner alsoreceivedan Emmy nomination in 1999 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Big Giant Head , an alien supervisor visiting John Lithgow on Earth , in the NBC sitcom3rd Rock from the Sun .

71. Shatner got into the cooking show game.

In 2001 , ShatnerhostedIron Chef USA , ground on the democratic Japanese cookery game show . It failed to find an hearing . A retooled version , Iron Chef America , run from 2005 to 2018 .

72. Shatner starred in a sequel toAmerican Psycho.

In 2002 , ShatnerappearedinAmerican Psycho 2 : All - American Girl , a direct - to - DVD sequel to the2000 filmstarring Christian Bale as a ashen - collar killer . Bale does not appear ( Mila Kunis takes over the starring role ) ; Shatner is a college prof .

73. Shatner and Ben Folds made an album.

Shatnerteamed upwith player Ben Folds for 2004’sHas Been , another spoken - Christian Bible album . Shatner ’s rendition of “ Common People ” by Pulp was well - received .

74. He has played a lot of paintball for charity.

Shatner hasparticipatedin a bit of paintball game to lift money for Polymonium caeruleum van-bruntiae , include 2004 ’s Celebrity Paintball Mobster Mash consequence in Chicago .

75. Shatner pranked Captain Kirk’s birthplace.

Shatnerstarredin a 2005 joke reality series , Invasion Iowa , in which he moved a simulated production into Riverside , Iowa , which promotes itself as the birthplace of Captain Kirk .

76. He briefly chaired his own DVD subscription service.

The Shatner DVD Club launched in 2006 . For $ 47.99 annually , the clubpromisedto send member a selection of sci - fi , fantasy , and horror films personally curated by Shatner .

77. Shatner spent some time as a talk show host.

In 2008 , Shatnerdebutedan interview show , Shatner ’s Raw Nerve , in which he invited guests to come model across from him in a uniques - form seating pattern . Shatner recall that the vocaliser Meat Loaf brought him to tear during a particularly excited moment in their conversation .

78. He starred in a CBS sitcom based on a Twitter feed.

In 2010’s$ # * ! My Dad Says , Shatner embodiedthe don of Justin Halpern , a drollery writer who cite his father ’s contemplation online . It lasted one time of year .

79. In 2011, he released an album of cover songs.

Former Ozzy Osbourne guitar player Zakk Wylde appeared onSeeking Major Tom , in whichShatner covered“Iron Man ” by Black Sabbath .

80. Shatner is an official Golden God.

To aid promoteSeeking Major Tom , Shatnerreceivedan Honorary Headbanger Award at the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards .

81. In 2012, Shatner returned to Broadway with a one-man show.

After a three - week meshing on Broadway , Shatner select his one - man show , Shatner ’s World : We Just Live In It , on tour . In 2016 , Shatnersaidhe used Priceline to book travel for the show .

82. Shatner played Mark Twain onMurdoch Mysteries.

In 2015 , ShatnerportrayedMark Twain in an episode of the Canadian play seriesMurdoch Mysteries . congeal in 1903 , the show seesTwainthe quarry of an character assassination , with Detective William Murdoch ( Yannick Bisson ) delegate to protect him .

83. Shatner released a holiday album.

In 2018 , ShatnerreleasedShatner Claus , a collection of vacation favorites . Henry Rollins was among those who appeared on the record album .

84. He also released a country music album.

In 2019 , Shatnerreleaseda res publica euphony album , Why Not Me?He spoke “ Should’a Loved ” and “ Too Old to be Vegan , ” among others .

85. He is very fond of horses.

As a teen , the actorswept stablesin Montreal . Later in life , he start purchasing horses , own stable , and engaging in free-enterprise ride outcome .

86. Shatner had a mishap during a horse and buggy competition.

In 2017 , Shatner was taking part in a horse and buggycompetitionin Kentucky when his horse cavalry reared up and send the thespian flying from his cart . He stood up whole , and went on to win the race .

87. Shatner wrote a book about his love of horses.

Shatnerwroteabout his love for horses in 2017’sSpirit of the Horse , a history of his equid experiences .

88. Shatner reportedly got some horse semen in a divorce settlement.

In a 2020 divorce colonisation , Shatner split ownership of four horses with ex - married woman Elizabeth Martin . Shatner wasreportedto have retain possession of horse cum for breeding purposes .

89. He has been outspoken about the dangers of deep-frying a turkey on Thanksgiving.

Owing to what he described as a number of Republic of Turkey - related chance event , Shatner harmonize to take two cautionary videos for State Farm in 2011 on safe Meleagris gallopavo - frying . “ I love to electrocute Republic of Turkey and have been doing it for yr , but I am not immune to frying accidents , ” Shatnersaidin a press button . “ In fact , my family now gathers together to watch my mischance . Several yr ago I was even burned on my arms after incidentally shed the dud in hot rock oil . People need to remember that red-hot crude and Republic of Turkey can be a grievous compounding . ”

90. Shatner sold a kidney stone for $25,000.

Decades after getting a major break thanks to Christopher Plummer ’s urinary troubles , a kidney stone helped Shatner make an impact on the sprightliness of others . In 2006 , Shatner passed a Lucy Stone and thensoldit for $ 25,000 to an on-line cassino . The casino wanted the ensuing promotional material . Shatner donate the money to Habitat for Humanity .

91. Shatner is the oldest person to go to space.

In October 2021 , Shatner became the onetime person in outer space by allowing himself to be blasted into the sky courtesy of Jeff Bezos ’s Blue Origin outer space political program . The trip , which took a total of 11 minute , allowedShatner to view Earth from subocular space . The experience , he said , “ was among the secure tactile sensation of heartbreak I have ever encounter . The demarcation between the vicious iciness of space and the warm nurturing of Earth below filled me with consuming unhappiness . ”

92. Shatner was onThe Masked Singer.

William ShatnerappearedonThe Masked Singerin 2022 as “ Knight ” and performed “ Puttin ’ on the Ritz . ” Though he was get rid of in the singing contender , Shatner expressed gratification in appearing on the series , as he had several project — including his bookBoldly Go — to promote at the sentence .

93. William Shatner would consider reprising the role of Captain Kirk—even if he’s not around to do it himself.

Shatner ’s Kirk has n’t been seen onscreen since 1994’sStar Trek : Generations , which is somewhat of a surprisal given Hollywood ’s continued reliance on nostalgia .

It ’s not that Paramount has n’t tried . In 2004 , the producers ofStar Trek : Enterprisepitched Shatner a plot line in which he’dreturn , but as the “ evil ” Kirk from the 1967 original series episode “ Mirror , Mirror . ” Shatner , as the sinister Kirk , would attempt to escape the sack universe to which he ’d been ban , climax in a encounter with Captain Jonathan Archer ( Scott Bakula ) . That never happen , reportedly due to Paramount and Shatner not being able to add up to a contractual understanding .

speak withThe Hollywood Reporterto promote his documentaryYou Can Call Me Billin March 2024 , Shatner was not entirely against the mind of returning to the persona that made him a household name . “ If they write something that was n’t a stunt that involved Kirk , who ’s 50 twelvemonth sr. now , and it was something that really added to the lore ofStar Trek , I would emphatically take it , ” he said .

William Shatner has done it all.

The actor previously stated that a CGI or AI version of Kirk would n’t incommode him . “ It ’s an interesting interrogation , ” hesaidin a ComicBook.com consultation in January 2024 . “ The [ 2023 Hollywood actors ’ and writers ’ ] strike was all about getting permit to do that . And so if I ’m alive , I do n’t want AI to do that . But if I ’m dead and they ask my kinsfolk and they ’re go to pay my family very well to vocalize like me , I would notify them to say yes . ”

Read Trek:

A version of this clause was originally published in 2021 ; it has been updated for 2024 .

Shatner had an early film role in 1961’s The Explosive Generation.

On the set of Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Shatner with daughter Melanie in 1981.

Actor William Shatner, photographed in 1988.

(L-R) DeForest Kelley, William Shatner, and Leonard Nimoy reunited for 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy present the award for “King of Zing / Queen of Quip” at the 2005 TV Land Awards in Santa Monica, California.

Boston Legal co-stars James Spader (L) and William Shatner (R) in May 2006.

Shatner on stage for Comedy Central’s Last Laugh special in December 2004.

Shatner hanging out in October 1970.