Biography for
William Shatner More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

22 March 1931, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Birth Name

William Alan Shatner

Nickname

Bill
The Shat
Billy

Height

5' 9½" (1.77 m)

Mini Biography

Handsome Canadian-born actor who - despite his detractors - has notched up an impressive 50-years-plus in front of the camera, most recently displaying comedic talent, and being instantly recognizable to several generations of cult TV fans as the square-jawed Captain James T. Kirk, commander of the starship USS Enterprise.

Shatner spent many years honing his craft in television and live theater before debuting alongside Yul Brynner in The Brothers Karamazov (1958). He was kept busy during the 1960s in films such as The Intruder (1962) and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) and on television guest-starring in dozens of shows such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (1955), "The Defenders" (1961), "The Outer Limits" (1963) and "Twilight Zone" (1959). In 1966, Shatner boarded the USS Enterprise for three seasons of "Star Trek" (1966), co-starring alongside Leonard Nimoy, with the series eventually becoming a bona-fide cult classic with a worldwide legion of fans known as "Trekkies".

After "Star Trek" folded, Shatner spent the rest of the decade and the 1970s making the rounds guest-starring on many prime-time television series, including "Hawaii Five-O" (1968), "Marcus Welby, M.D." (1969) and "Ironside" (1967). He has also appeared in several feature films, but they were mainly B-grade (or lower) fare such as the embarrassingly bad Euro western White Comanche (1968) (aka The White Comanche) and the campy Kingdom of the Spiders (1977). However, the 1980s saw a major resurgence in Shatner's career with the renewed interest in the old "Star Trek" (1966) television series culminating in a series of big-budget "Star Trek" feature films including Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), 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) and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). In addition, he starred in the lightweight cop series "T.J. Hooker" (1982) from 1982 to 1986, alongside spunky Heather Locklear, and surprised many fans with his droll comedic talents in Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) and Miss Congeniality (2000).

He has most recently been starring in the David E. Kelley television shows "The Practice" (1997) and "Boston Legal" (2004).

IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com

Spouse

Elizabeth Shatner	(13 February 2001 - present)
Nerine Kidd	(15 November 1997 - 9 August 1999) (her death)
Marcy Lafferty	(20 October 1973 - 11 December 1996) (divorced)
Gloria Rand	(12 August 1956 - 4 March 1969) (divorced) 3 children

Trade Mark

Clipped, dramatic narration

Trivia

On August 9, 1999, his third wife, Nerine Kidd, accidentally drowned in the swimming pool at their house in Studio City, California.

His daughter Lisabeth Shatner wrote the script for the episode of "T.J. Hooker" (1982) called "T.J. Hooker: Partners in Death (#5.14)" (1986).

Shatner breeds and shows American saddlebreds and quarter-horses.

He has 3 daughters, Leslie Carol (born 1958), Lisabeth Shatner (born 1960), and Melanie Shatner (born 1964). He and his wife live in Southern California, and they also own a 360-acre horse farm in Kentucky.

His hobbies: horses, horseback riding, and playing tennis.

He appeared in the music video, and he sang in the choir, in the song "Voices That Care".

Shatner attended the McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Its student university center is now named after him.

Shortly after the original series of "Star Trek" (1966) was canceled, his wife Gloria Rand left him and took a lot of money with here. With very little money and his acting prospects low, he lived in a pick-up truck camper until continually acting in bit parts led into higher-paying roles.

Shatner is the CEO of the Toronto-based Core Digital Effects company that did the effects for the 1996 film Fly Away Home (1996).

He fluent in French and English, from his bilingual upbringing in Montreal.

He has written several "Star Trek" novels, including "The Ashes of Eden", "The Return", and "Avenger".

His children with Gloria Rand: Leslie Carol (born on August 31, 1958, married to Gordon Walker, and the mother of two children, Grant and Eric); Lisabeth Mary (born on June 12, 1960, married to Andy Clement); and Melanie Ann (born August 1, 1964, married to the actor Joel Gretsch).

His daughter Lisabeth Shatner was "Miss Golden Globe" 1985.

Two of his daughters, Melanie Shatner and Lisabeth Shatner. appeared in the "Star Trek: Miri (#1.8)" (1966) in small uncredited parts.

His daughter Melanie Shatner had a small role in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) that was directed by her father.

In 2001, he married Elizabeth Shatner (Elizabeth Anderson Martin), 30 years his junior. She is a horse trainer who had lost her husband to cancer in 1997. Their grief (Shatner was a widower) and their love of horses drew them together. They reside in Southern California and in Kentucky.

His face appears on the cover of the official first aid handbook issued by the National Safety Council, stemming from his time hosting "Rescue 911" (1989).

He produces and hosts the annual "Hollywood Charity Horse Show" that he founded in 1990. More than $1.25 million has been raised for children's charities, such as "Ahead With Horses", "L.A.'s BEST", and the "Children's Museum of Los Angeles".

He wrote and directed a college musical: "The Red, White and Blue Revue".

He was the understudy of Christopher Plummer in a stage production of Shakespeare's play "Henry V" in Canada.

Shatner was born to Ann and Joseph Shatner on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec.

He earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

His favorite "Star Trek" (1966) episode is "Star Trek: The Devil in the Dark (#1.25)" (1967).

His clipped, dramatic delivery of his lines, peppered with dramatic pauses, is often referred to as "Shatnerian".

During the late 1960's, he recorded an LP record titled "The Transformed Man", that is considered to be a camp classic today. One track was a spoken cover version of "Mr. Tambourine Man" -- one in which he gave an overdramatic performance that some compared to a man on a bad drug trip. Shatner embraces his checkered reputation as a "camp" performer now.

His version of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was voted as the worst massacre of a The Beatles song ever in May 2003.

He is a vegetarian.

Shatner did most of his own stunts for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), even though he had a stunt man, John Meier, to do the more difficult ones.

During the filming of Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), a fire broke out on the studio lot that threatened to destroy the "Genesis Planet" sets. Shatner was one of a few cast and crew members who helped to put the fire out, wielding a fire hose to spray it at the fire.

Shatner was the first person to appear in the sketch on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) of "Celebrity Secrets". This became a regular sketch on this show featuring major celebrities such as Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, and his fellow "Star Trek" captains, Patrick Stewart and George Takei.

Has appeared in productions at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

According to Debra Hill, a Halloween mask in Shatner's likeness was painted white and used as the mask of Michael Myers in the original Halloween (1978).

He once worked as a camp counselor as a teenager at the Camp B'nai Brith in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec.

At first, Shatner believed that as the star of "Star Trek" (1966), he was supposed to "outshine" the rest of the actors and actresses. He later said that he had come to appreciate the merits of having an ensemble cast, with each member's contribution while working in "Star Trek".

In his early performing days, Shatner was once required to play the piano in a scene (with music supplied off-camera), then pull a weapon from a drawer to kill another actor. First the piano cue went badly, then the only "weapon" available turned out to be a corkscrew. Shatner carried on, and in his own words, "I screwed him to death!"

His appearance in "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in 1986 mocked the Iran-Contra Affair figure Oliver North (with Shatner standing mute in a green uniform); his own "T.J. Hooker" (1982) show, recently-canceled, and some overzealous "Star Trek" (1966) fans. This last sketch had him grimly addressing the fans at a "Star Trek" convention with the phrase "Get a life!". Many Trekkers asked him later if he had meant anything by the sketch. He hadn't, but this had been written by the comedy writers of "Saturday Night Live" (1975). Later, Shatner made "Get a Life!" the title of his "Star Trek" fan memoir.

He did a concert with crooner Brian Evans in Key West, Florida, joining the singer for his own style and rendition of the songs "Lady Is A Tramp" and "What Kind of Fool Am I".

Shatner has appeared in episodes of six different TV series along with Leonard Nimoy: "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964); "Mission: Impossible" (1966); "Star Trek" (1966); "Star Trek" (1973); "T.J. Hooker" (1982), and "Futurama" (1999).

He had some worries about appearing in "Futurama: Where No Fan Has Gone Before (#4.12)" (2002). He spoke with Billy West, who told Shatner that the cast and crew had nothing but respect for him. He agreed to continue.

Shatner has joined Sylvester Stallone, Prince, Kevin Costner, Roberto Benigni, and Tom Green as being the few actors who have directed themselves in performances that "won" them Razzie Awards for "Worst Actor".

He once bought a horse from the father of Chelsea Field, a man who is also the father-in-law of Scott Bakula.

He has appeared in episodes of three different TV series with George Takei and Nichelle Nichols: "Star Trek" (1966), "Star Trek" (1973), and "Futurama" (1999).

Shatner is of Ukrainian-Jewish descent, and he was mentioned in the TV episode of "The Simpsons" "The Simpsons: Like Father, Like Clown (#3.6)" (1991) as being a famous Jewish entertainer. He was also mentioned by Adam Sandler in "The Hanukkah Song" ("You don't need Deck The Halls or Jingle Bell Rock / When you can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock").

During his marriage to Marcy Lafferty he was the son-in-law of Perry Lafferty.

He was one of the guests at the wedding of Sandra Bullock and Jesse James.

The most popular TV-star in Germany, elected in on-line-voting by the spectators of the national TV-channel KabelEins. Appeared in the final TV-show (aired 10/19/ 2005) to receive the honor personally.

Suffers from tinnitus (ringing in the ears), along with "Star Trek" (1966) co-star Leonard Nimoy. Nimoy's right ear and Shatner's left ear are affected. Their hearing was apparently damaged during the filming of the episode, "Star Trek: Arena (#1.18)" (1967), when they were both too close to a special effects explosion.

Auctioned a kidney stone to GoldenPalace.com for $75,000. The money went to Habitat for Humanity, a charity that builds houses for the needy.

Is an expert equestrian (horse rider), which was put to good use in Star Trek: Generations (1994). Co-star Patrick Stewart, despite his classical background, had very little experience with horses, so Shatner helped teach him. One of Shatner's tips was to wear pantyhose under his pants, to reduce chafing.

Wrote the TekWar (1994) (TV) series of sci-fi books, completely unrelated to "Star Trek". These were turned into several made-for-TV movies and a short-lived series. Shatner himself costarred, and directed several episodes.

Released an album titled 'Has Been' in 2004. The album was produced by Ben Folds who also plays on the album. Other guest performers on the album include Joe Jackson, Aimee Mann, Henry Rollins and Adrian Belew.

Runs "SPLATT ATTACK!", a paintball recreation center in the US, and sometimes participates in the competitions.

To this day, still hasn't fully recovered from the depression brought on by the 1968 death of his father, Joseph Shatner. Roddenberry personally gave permission to postpone shooting scenes with Nimoy (Trek episode "Devil in the Dark") for him to attend funeral and return within a week.

Lt. Lemli, a character from the original "Star Trek" (1966) series, played by Roger Holloway, was named after his three daughters: Elizabeth, Leslie and Melanie.

Money from his dad's Laval, Quebec hardware and furniture business supported him during the actor's job hunt in the U.S.

Shatner wielded a lightsabre towards the end of "Invasion Iowa". George Lucas was so flattered that he invited him to speak and croon "My Way" for his Lifetime Achievement ceremony in 2005.

Dr. James Kirkland, Ph.D wrote a 1996 "Star Trek" novel titled, "First Frontier". And in his acknowledgments, thanked Capt. Kirk (original series episode "Star Trek: Arena (#1.18)" (1967)) for inspiration and being his childhood hero.

Overcame his greatest phobia of falling, while directing the Yosemite National Park scenes of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989).

Nearly ten years after acting in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), whose plot involved rescuing humpback whales, Shatner narrated a television documentary about endangered species (including humpbacks), in which he became emotional to the point of weeping.

Leonard Nimoy was the best man at his wedding to Nerine Kidd.

His old house on Bag Ave., in Laval, Quebec was bought by a millionaire.

The unofficial hometown of his alter-ego Capt. Kirk, Riverside, Iowa is known by hardcore Trekkers as "the other Kirkland". Kirkland, Canada is a few miles from Montreal, Quebec.

Was mentioned in David Fincher's 1999 film, Fight Club (1999). When Tyler asks the Narrator who he'd fight, the Narrator ponders for a moment and replies, "Shatner. I'd fight William Shatner".

One of his favorite restaurants to eat at while in Montreal is Vichy's.

Often jogged for charity from 1976-1980. Running to support the Olympics held in his hometown of Montreal and for late Canadian amputee Terry Fox and his cross country marathon.

After the success of his sixth "Trek" film and the rise of "The X-Files" (1993), he was interviewed as believing in U.F.O.s' existence, claiming he, himself, had seen the unexplained when he was younger.

Father-in-law of Andy Clement and Joel Gretsch.

"Trek" novel cover artist Keith Birdsong names Shatner as the most difficult to render. His cheekbone structure, especially, when painting either the series or motion picture eras.

Underwent right hip replacement surgery on June 2008.

Once lived on Giraud Street, in Montreal.

When recording the narration for his "Shatnerverse" Trek novels, he pronounces the name "Cardassian" (normally pronounced "car-DASS-ian") as with Kim Kardashian.

Reprised his Sergeant "T.J. Hooker" (1982) character for Showtime (2002) and Fanboys (2008).

He and his wife, Elizabeth Shatner, have two Dobermans.

In the June 17, 2009 episode of "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" (2009) it was revealed he cannot perform the Vulcan salute ('live long and prosper') hand gesture.

William Shatner expressed his sadness at not being asked to reprise his iconic role of "Captain James T. Kirk" for the new Star Trek (2009) film. In response, Shatner wrote "Star Trek: Academy Collision Course" (with Judith and Garfield Reeves) as his own version of how Kirk and Spock met. In his version of the story, a teen-aged Kirk gets into criminal trouble and is given a choice: Go to prison or join Starfleet. He, of course, joins Starfleet and meets Spock. But he does not meet any other major character from the "Star Trek" (1966) series. However, the story does tie into the first season episode "Star Trek: The Conscience of the King (#1.13)" (1966) and Kirk meets his Starfleet bully, Finnigan, from "Star Trek: Shore Leave (#1.15)" (1966).

Once performed in Incubus (1966), a movie whose entire dialogue was in Esperanto.

Grew up in the Notre-Dame-de-Grace (NDG) section of Montreal.

Remained friends with Heather Locklear during and after "T.J. Hooker" (1982).

Remained friends with Leonard Nimoy during and after "Star Trek" (1966).

His fondness for motorcycle riding in 1950s and 60s influenced the same for the re-envisioned Kirk of "Star Trek" (2009).

Recorded a special message for the crew of NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-133 that woke up them at 3:23 a.m. (EST), March 7th 2011. The message included the Star Trek theme song along with Shatner's narration: "Space, the final frontier. These have been the voyages of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Her 30 year mission: To seek out new science. To build new outposts. To bring nations together on the final frontier. To boldly go, and do, what no spacecraft has done before.".

Attended West Hill High School in Montreal.

Received 2011 Governor General's Lifetime Achievement Award in the Performing Arts. Received an honorary Doctorate from his alma mater, McGill University.

Close friends with Patrick Stewart.

Personal Quotes

[When asked if he wore a hairpiece] "It's a question that I find like asking somebody, 'Did you have a breast implant?' or 'When did you get your lobotomy?'"

[When asked if he was a fan of technology] "I love technology. Matches, to light a fire is really high tech. The wheel is REALLY one of the great inventions of all time. Other than that I am an ignoramus about technology. I once looked for the 'ON' button on the computer and came to find out it was on the back. Then I thought, anyone who would put the 'on' switch on the back, where you can't find it, doesn't do any good for my psyche. The one time I did get the computer on, I couldn't turn the damn thing off!"

I am not a Starfleet commander, or T.J. Hooker. I don't live on Starship NCC-1701, or own a phaser. And I don't know anybody named Bones, Sulu, or Spock. And no, I've never had green alien sex, though I'm sure it would be quite an evening. I speak English and French, not Klingon! I drink Labatt's, not Romulan ale! And when someone says to me 'Live long and prosper', I seriously mean it when I say, 'Get a life'. My doctor's name is not McCoy, it's Ginsberg. And tribbles were puppets, not real animals. PUPPETS! And when I speak, I never, ever talk like every. Word. Is. Its. Own. Sentence. I live in California, but I was raised in Montreal. And yes, I've gone where no man has gone before, but I was in Mexico and her father gave me permission! My name is William Shatner, and I am Canadian!

We were basically one and the same, although Jim [Kirk] was just about perfect, and, of course, I am perfect.

What he tells his kids about money: "Don't buy anything on time, and that includes cars and houses." (Money Magazine, 2007)

On what money means to him: "For the longest time I could never get ahead more than a few hundred dollars, no matter how well I did or what job I got, and no matter how hard I tried to pare expenses down. With three kids, it was always very, very tight, and it was always a scramble for what was my next job. So I learned never to go into debt because I don't want those monthly payments to preoccupy my thoughts. I never spend more than what I can afford, and I don't owe anything."

On his most memorable money mistake: "When I was a young actor at Canada's Stratford Festival, one of the older actors told me that Canadian uranium is the future and you must buy into it. So I bought it on Thursday with the entire $500 I had saved. The following day, the Canadian prime minister said the country would no longer buy uranium. I was wiped out. It actually hurt my performance on stage. Since then I've led a very conservative financial life."

I'm not going to have a tombstone. I'm going to be tossed in the air. Ashes, tossed like a salad.

[on the popularity of 'Star Trek'] It has action-adventure, with lots of fights and villains, so the kids like it.On another level we deal with a philosophical concept - that what's alien isn't necessarily evil - so we reach their parents. Many of our episodes deal with scientific concepts, so our program entertains the technicians and space scientists. And with the hippies we have a far-out show. They think we're psychedelic.

Salary

Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)

20,000 plus 7 1/2 percentage of the gross