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William Shatner Biography

(1931–)

Video & Images

William Shatner Photo Gallery

Quick Facts

Born: March 22, 1931 (Montreal, Canada)
Zodiac Sign: Aries

Family: Currently married to fourth wife Elizabeth Martin, has three daughters, Leslie Carol, Lisabeth Mary, and Melanie from first marriage to Gloria Rand. Has two granddaughters, Kaya and Willow.
Parents: Joseph and Anna
Religion: Jewish
Education:
Graduated from McGill University in 1952
Major: Commerce
Awards:
Four Emmy Award nominations for his portrayal of Denny Crane
Two Emmy Wins for work as Denny Crane on two different television series:
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2004 for The Practice
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2005 for Boston Legal
Two Golden Globe Award nominations
One Golden Globe Award in 2005 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television for Boston Legal
Favorite Charities:
Nerine Shatner Friendly House
Hollywood Charity Horse Show
March of Dimes Canada
The Jewish National Fund
Habitat for Humanity
American Tinnitus Foundation

» More

Related Works

Television
1965 For the People
1966-1969 Star Trek series
1973-1975 Star Trek: The Animated Series

1975-1976 The Barbary Coast
1982-1986 T J Hooker
1989-1996 Rescue 911
2004- Boston Legal
Films
1958 The Brothers Karamazov
1961 Judgement at Nuremberg
1961 The Explosive Generation
1962 The Intruder
1964 The Outrage
1974 Big Bad Mama
1974 Dead of Night
1975 The Devil's Rain
1975 Impulse
1977 A Whale of a Tale
1977 Kingdom of the Spiders
1979 Riel
1979 Star Trek: The Motion Picture
1981 The Land of No Return
1982 Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
1982 Airplane II
1984 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
1986 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
1989 Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (also director)
1991 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
1991 Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey
1993 National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon I
1994 Star Trek: Generations
1997 Starfleet Academy
1998 Free Enterprise
2001 Miss Congeniality
2005 Miss Congeniality 2
2006 Over the Hedge

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Actor, director, author, singer. Born on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Perhaps best known for his roles on Boston Legal and Star Trek, William Shatner is one of the most recognizable stars working today. His distinctive voice and cadence have been the subject of many imitations, spoofs, and parodies—all contributing to his status as a pop icon. In addition to being an Emmy Award-winning actor, he has also written numerous books, directed several projects, and even recorded a few albums.

Shatner started his career as a child performer in radio programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. As a student at McGill University, he continued to pursue acting. Shatner spent his summers performing with the Royal Mount Theater Company. He graduated from the university in 1952 and joined the National Repertory Theater of Ottawa. Working with Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Shatner also appeared in productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario.

In 1956, Shatner made his Broadway debut in Tamburlaine the Great, which was directed by Guthrie. He also found work in the emerging medium of television, appearing on such shows as the Goodyear Television Playhouse, Studio One, and Playhouse 90. Playing one of the title characters, Shatner made his film debut in 1958’s The Brothers Karamazov with Yul Brynner. That same year, he returned to Broadway for a two-year run in The Secret Life of Suzie Wong. He won the 1959 Theatre World Award for his performance.

In 1961, Shatner had a small part in the Holocaust drama Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), playing an army captain. He had a lead part in The Intruder (1962) as a racist who fought against school integration. On the small screen, Shatner had his first television series, For the People, in 1965. He starred on the short-lived drama as an assistant district attorney in New York City.

The following year, Shatner took on the role that made him famous around the world. As Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek, he commanded the U.S.S. Enterprise, a starship traveling through space in the twenty-third century. Kirk encountered all sorts of unusual aliens and challenging situations during his journeys. Accompanying him on these adventures was his loyal crew, which included first officer Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and medical officer Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelley). The science fiction series created by Gene Roddenberry premiered on September 8, 1966, and lasted for three seasons.

During the run of the show, Shatner also made an unusual career move. He recorded an album, The Transformed Man (1968), which featured spoken word versions of contemporary pop hits. Already known for his overly dramatic, but earnest delivery of his lines on Star Trek, Shatner really went over the top with his renditions of such songs as the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”