William Shatner Biography: William Shatner OC born March 22, 1931 is a Canadian actor whose career has spanned over seventy years. He is most famously known for his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, beginning with the second pilot of the original Star Trek television series in 1966 and concluding with his final appearance in Star Trek Generations (1994), the seventh feature film in the series.
William Shatner Biography
William Shatner has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over 70 years, showcasing his sharp comedic skills and becoming instantly recognizable to multiple generations of cult TV fans as the iconic, square-jawed Captain James T. Kirk, commander of the starship U.S.S. Enterprise. Born in Côte Saint-Luc, Montréal, Québec, Canada, Shatner is the son of Anne (Garmaise) and Joseph Shatner, a clothing manufacturer.
William Shatner Biography 2025 Details
| Born | March 22, 1931
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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|---|---|
| Education | McGill University (BComm) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1951–present |
| Works | Filmography |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 3, including Melanie |
| Relatives | Joel Gretsch (son-in-law) |
| Category | Singers Bio |
| Honours | Officer, Order of Canada |
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About William Shatner
William Shatner OC is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, from his 1966 debut as the captain of the starship Enterprise in the second pilot of the first Star Trek television series to his final appearance as Captain Kirk in the seventh Star Trek feature film, Star Trek Generations (1994).
William Shatner Personal Life
His father was a Jewish immigrant from Bukovina, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, while his maternal grandparents were Lithuanian Jews. After finishing university, Shatner joined a local summer theater group as an assistant manager. He later performed with the National Repertory Theatre of Ottawa and understudied at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, working alongside renowned actors like Alec Guinness, James Mason, and Anthony Quayle.
William Shatner Achievements
Shatner started his acting career in Canadian film and television before transitioning to guest roles in various American TV shows. He portrayed Captain Kirk in every episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, appeared in 21 out of 22 episodes of Star Trek: The Animated Series, and starred in the first seven Star Trek movies.
William Shatner Wiki
- Born: 22 March 1931 (age 94 years), Montreal, Canada
- Spouse: Elizabeth Shatner (m. 2001–2020) ·
- Children: Melanie Shatner, Leslie Carol Shatner, Lisabeth Shatner
- Grandchildren: Kaya Gretsch, Willow Gretsch, Grant Walker, Eric Walker
- Height: 1.77 m
- Parents: Joseph Shatner, Anne Garmaise
Early Life
William Shatner was born on March 22, 1931, in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, into a Conservative Jewish family. His parents were Ann (née Garmaise; 1905–1992) and Joseph Shatner (1898–1967), who worked as a clothing manufacturer. He is the middle child of three siblings, with an older sister, Joy Rutenberg (1928–2023), and a younger sister, Farla Cohen (born 1940). The family surname was originally Schattner, but his grandfather, Wolf Schattner, anglicized the spelling.
All four of Shatner’s grandparents were Jewish immigrants from areas that are now Ukraine and Lithuania, which were then part of Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire. Shatner attended Willingdon Elementary School and West Hill High School in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and is an alumnus of the Montreal Children’s Theatre. He went on to study economics at McGill University’s Faculty of Management in Montreal, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1952.
William Shatner at a Glance
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Actors
- Net Worth: $100 Million
- Birthdate: March 22, 1931 (94 years old)
- Birthplace: Côte Saint-Luc, Quebec, Canada
- Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.77 m)
- Profession: Actor, musician, novelist, spokesperson, director, producer, screenwriter, singer, and voice actor
- Nationality: Canadian
Career Overview
Shatner began acting in the 1950s, performing in Canadian theater and television before gaining international recognition in the 1960s as Captain Kirk on Star Trek: The Original Series (1966–1969). The role made him a sci-fi icon and attracted a worldwide fanbase. Following Star Trek, he starred in the police drama T.J. Hooker (1982–1986), hosted the reality show Rescue 911 (1989–1996), and reprised the role of Captain Kirk in seven Star Trek feature films (1979–1994).
In the 2000s, Shatner earned renewed acclaim for his comedic and dramatic role as eccentric lawyer Denny Crane on Boston Legal (2004–2008), earning an Emmy for his performance. He has also authored a wide range of books, including memoirs and science fiction novels, and released several spoken-word and music albums. His third album, Seeking Major Tom (2011), featured covers of iconic rock songs like David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”
Convention Fees
Shatner frequently appears at fan conventions, charging $10,000 for travel plus $10,000 per hour, with a minimum booking of five hours.
The Priceline Rumor: Did He Make $600 Million?
A long-standing myth claims Shatner earned $600 million from Priceline.com stock due to his role as the “Priceline Negotiator” in late 1990s commercials. While it’s true he was compensated partly in stock, Shatner has repeatedly denied making anywhere near that amount. In interviews, including with Howard Stern, and via Twitter, he clarified that the $600 million figure is false.
Acting Roots
After graduating, Shatner started as a business manager at a Montreal playhouse before joining the Canadian National Repertory Theatre to train in classical Shakespearean performance. He took on roles at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival starting in 1954, and made his TV and film debut shortly thereafter, including an appearance in The Brothers Karamazov (1958) and an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Personal Life
William Shatner has been married four times. His first marriage was to Canadian actress Gloria Rand in August 1956. Together, they had three daughters: Leslie (born 1958), Lisabeth (born 1960), and Melanie (born 1964). During the filming of the original Star Trek series, Shatner separated from Rand, who officially divorced him in March 1969. His second marriage was to Marcy Lafferty, lasting from 1973 until their divorce in 1996.
In 1997, Shatner married Nerine Kidd. At the time, she was 38 and he was 66. Tragically, on the night of August 9, 1999, Shatner returned home to find Nerine unresponsive at the bottom of their swimming pool. The autopsy revealed the presence of alcohol and Valium in her system, and her death was ruled an accidental drowning.
Honors & Achievements
- Honorary Doctorate of Letters from McGill University (2011)
- Honorary Doctorate from the New England Institute of Technology (2018)
- At age 90, in 2021, Shatner became the oldest person to travel to space, aboard Blue Origin’s suborbital capsule.
Real Estate
Shatner’s primary residence is a 4,016-square-foot home in Studio City, Los Angeles. After his 2020 divorce, his ex-wife Elizabeth received properties in Malibu and at Belle Reve Farm in Kentucky. Shatner retained an 18-acre ranch in Three Rivers, California, which he originally bought in 1979.
William Shatner Salary
Shatner reportedly earns around $150,000 per television episode.
What Is William Shatner’s Net Worth 2025?
William Shatner is a Canadian actor, author, director, producer, screenwriter, and singer with a net worth of $100 million. He is most famously known for playing Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. Beyond Star Trek, Shatner also starred in hit series like T.J. Hooker, The Practice, and Boston Legal. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983 and another on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
FAQs
Does William Shatner have a private jet?
Shatner, who is both a private pilot and a frequent user of business jets, flew around to the filming locations aboard a Bombardier Global Express. In his spare time, he raises and shows champion American Saddlebred and Quarter horses at his 360-acre farm in Kentucky with his current wife, Elizabeth.
How much money did William Shatner make?
As of May 2024, William Shatner’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. Shatner’s wealth stems from his prolific career as an actor, author, director, and producer. He gained widespread fame through Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969), which, despite its brief run, left a lasting cultural impact.
How much does it cost to hire William Shatner?
The estimated speaking fee range to book William Shatner for your event is $100,000 – $200,000.
Does William Shatner get paid for Star Trek reruns?
Shatner mentioned that he received no royalties for these reruns until after 1973. Many WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have occurred over the years with residuals and royalties being the main point of concern.