William Shatner
Acting
William Shatner, OC (born March 22, 1931) 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). Shatner began his screen acting career in Canadian films and television productions before moving into guest-starring roles in various American television shows. He appeared as James Kirk in all the episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series, 21 of the 22 episodes of Star Trek: The Animated Series, and the first seven Star Trek movies. He has written a series of books chronicling his experiences before, during and after his time in a Starfleet uniform. He has also co-written several novels set in the Star Trek universe and a series of science fiction novels, the TekWar sequence, that were adapted for television. Outside Star Trek, Shatner played the eponymous veteran police sergeant in T. J. Hooker (1982–1986), hosted the reality-based television series Rescue 911 (1989–1996), guest starred on the detective series Columbo, and acted in the comedy film Miss Congeniality (2000). After his last appearance as Captain Kirk, Shatner's television career has embraced comedy, drama and reality shows. In seasons 4 and 5 of the NBC series 3rd Rock from the Sun, he played the alien "Big Giant Head", to which the main characters reported. From 2004 until 2008, he starred as attorney Denny Crane in the final season of the legal show The Practice and in its spinoff Boston Legal, a role that earned him two Emmy Awards, one for his contribution to each series. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, he starred in both seasons of NBC's Better Late Than Never, a comical travel series in which a band of elderly celebrities toured East Asia and Europe. Aside from acting, Shatner has had a career as a recording artist, beginning in 1968 with his album The Transformed Man. His cover versions of songs are dramatic recitations of their lyrics rather than musical performances: the most notable are his versions of the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man", and Elton John's "Rocket Man". His most successful album was his third, Seeking Major Tom (2011), which includes covers of Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly", David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". In 2021, Shatner flew into space aboard Blue Origin NS-18, a Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule. At age 90, he became the oldest person to fly in space and one of the first 600 to do so. Minutes after the flight, he described experiencing the overview effect.
Known for
Acting396
tvHey Jonas!
2026
Self-Guest
tvThe UnXplained: Mysteries of the Universe
2024
Self - Presenter
tvMasters of the Universe: Revolution
2024
Keldor (voice)
tvThe UnXplained Special Presentation
2023
Self - Presenter
movieFull Moon's Roadshow Revisited
2023
Self (archive footage)
tvStars on Mars
2023
Self - Host
movieWay of Tomorrow: The Evolution of Science Fiction Movies
2022
Self - (archive footage)
movieFireheart
2022
Mayor of New York (voice)
movieSenior Moment
2021
Victor Martin
movieCreators: The Past
2020
Lord Oghma
movieTo Your Last Death
2019
The Overseer (voice)
tvWWE Backstage
2019
William Shatner
tvThe UnXplained
2019
Self - Host
tvMy Life Is Murder
2019
Barton Wallwork
tvThe Masked Singer
2019
Knight / Knight (archive footage)
tvStar Trek: Short Treks
2018
Capt. James T. Kirk (voice) (archive footage)
movieThe Steam Engines of Oz
2018
Oscar 'Oz' Diggs (voice)
movieAliens Ate My Homework
2018
Phillogenus esk Piemondum (Phil) (voice)
tvThe Indian Detective
2017
David Marlowe
movieBatman vs. Two-Face
2017
Harvey Dent / Two-Face (voice)
movieHeroes Manufactured
2017
Self (archive footage)
movieRange 15
2016
Richard Chindler
movieKoko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People
2016
Self (archive footage)
tvPrivate Eyes
2016
Norm Glinski
movieThey Came from the Swamp: The Films of William Grefé
2016
Himself (voice only)
movieA Sunday Horse
2016
Kenneth Roubidoux
movieThe Colorful Montreal Expos
2016
Narrator (voice)
tvThe Shannara Chronicles
2016
Captain Kirk (archive footage)
movieJust in Time for Christmas
2015
Coachman Nick
tvWWE Breaking Ground
2015
Himself (narrator)
tvThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
Self - Guest
movieA Christmas Horror Story
2015
Dangerous Dan
tvLast Week Tonight with John Oliver
2014
Self - Guest
movieReturn to the Forest
2013
Narrator
movieEscape from Planet Earth
2013
General Shanker (voice)
tvGotham Comedy Live
2012
Self - Host
movieCorman's World
2011
Self - Actor
movieComedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen
2011
Self - Roaster
movieThe Space Shuttle
2011
Narrator
movieClassic TV Bloopers Uncensored
2011
Captain James T. Kirk (archive footage)
tvThe Talk
2010
Self
tvMy Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
2010
Grand Pear (voice)
tv$#*! My Dad Says
2010
Ed Goodson
movieQuantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey
2010
Core (voice)
tvAftermath with William Shatner
2010
Self - Host
tvHaven
2010
Croatoan
tvRookie Blue
2010
Henry McLeod
tvThe Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
2009
Self - Guest
movieFanboys
2009
Himself
movieGotta Catch Santa Claus
2008
Santa Claus (voice)
tvShatner's Raw Nerve
2008
Self - Host
tvEverest
2008
Norman Kelly
tvMurdoch Mysteries
2008
Mark Twain
tvMars Rising
2007
Narrator (voice)
tvThe Big Bang Theory
2007
William Shatner
movieThe Pixar Story
2007
James T. Kirk (archive footage)
tvPsych
2006
Frank O'Hara
movieOver the Hedge
2006
Ozzie (voice)
movieThe Wild
2006
Kazar (voice)
movieStalking Santa
2006
Narrator
movieHow William Shatner Changed the World
2005
Self - Host / Narrator (voice)
The Reichen Show
2005
Self - Guest
tvThe Colbert Report
2005
Self - Guest
tvInvasion Iowa
2005
Col. Shane Yeager
tvThe Annie Awards
2005
Self - Host
movieLil' Pimp
2005
Tony Gold (voice)
tvBoston Legal
2004
Denny Crane
The Tony Danza Show
2004
Self - Guest
movieDodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
2004
Dodgeball Chancellor
movieA Carol Christmas
2003
Dr. Bob / Ghost of Christmas Present
movieChristmas in Hollywood
2003
Self (archive footage)
tvChilly Beach
2003
The President (voice)
movieHalloween: A Cut Above the Rest
2003
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
tvJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
Self - Guest
movieGroom Lake
2002
John Gossner
movieShowtime
2002
William Shatner
movieShoot or Be Shot!
2002
Harvey Wilkes
movieGahan Wilson's The Kid
2001
Professor
tvBob Patterson
2001
Warren Wellman
movieOsmosis Jones
2001
Mayor Phlegmming (voice)
movieFalcon Down
2001
Major Robert Carson
movieMiss Congeniality
2000
Stan Fields
movieAtomic Journeys: Welcome to Ground Zero
2000
Narrator (Voice)
tvClick
2000
Self
tvThe Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
1999
Self - Guest
tvFuturama
1999
William Shatner (voice)
movieNukes in Space
1999
Narrator
movieLand of the Free
1998
Aidan Carvell
tvHercules
1998
Jason of the Argonauts (voice)
tvThe View
1997
Self / Self - Guest
tvPerversions of Science
1997
Admiral Kornfeld
tvThe Practice
1997
Denny Crane
movieThe Prisoner of Zenda, Inc.
1996
Michael Gatewick
movieStar Trek Story
1996
Self (archive footage)
tvThe Daily Show
1996
Narrator
movieDead Man's Island
1996
Chase Prescott
tv3rd Rock from the Sun
1996
Big Giant Head
movieVirtuosity
1995
Captain James T. Kirk (archive footage) (uncredited)
tvTekWar
1994
Walter H. Bascom
movieStar Trek: A Captain's Log
1994
Self - Host
movieStar Trek: Generations
1994
Captain James T. Kirk
movieCity Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold
1994
Adam Harland (uncredited)
movieTekWar: TekJustice
1994
Walter H. Bascom
movieTekWar: TekLab
1994
Walter H. Bascom
movieTekWar: TekLords
1994
Walter H. Bascom
movieTekWar
1994
Walter H. Bascom
tvLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
Self - Guest / Self - Musical Guest
tvseaQuest DSV
1993
Milos Tezlof
tvLate Show with David Letterman
1993
Self - Guest
movieNational Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
1993
General Mortars
tvRaw
1993
Self / William Shatner
tvStar Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
Captain James T. Kirk
tvEek! The Cat
1992
Santa Claus (voice) / Commander Berzerk (voice)
tvThe Larry Sanders Show
1992
William Shatner
movieStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
1991
Captain James T. Kirk
The Horror Hall of Fame II
1991
Self - Presenter
movieStar Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
1991
Self - Host
movieVoices That Care
1991
Self - Choir Member
tvHave I Got News for You
1990
Self - Host
tvThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
William Shatner
tvRescue 911
1989
Self - Host
movieStar Trek V: The Final Frontier
1989
Captain James T. Kirk
movieBroken Angel
1988
Chuck Coburn
movieSeasons
1987
Narrator (voice)
movieStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home
1986
Admiral James T. Kirk
movieT.J. Hooker: Blood Sport
1986
Sgt. T.J. Hooker
movieNorth Beach and Rawhide
1985
Rawhide MacGregor
tvThe Ray Bradbury Theater
1985
Charles Underhill
movieHollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
1985
Self (archive footage)
movieStar Trek III: The Search for Spock
1984
Admiral James T. Kirk
movieAirplane II: The Sequel
1982
Cdr. Buck Murdock
movieStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
1982
Admiral James T. Kirk
movieVisiting Hours
1982
Gary Baylor
tvT. J. Hooker
1982
Sgt TJ Hooker
tvPolice Squad!
1982
Poisoned Man
tvLate Night with David Letterman
1982
Self - Guest
movieThe Babysitter
1980
Dr. Jeff Benedict
movieThe Kidnapping of the President
1980
Jerry O'Connor
tvFridays
1980
Self - Guest Host
movieStar Trek: The Motion Picture
1979
Admiral James T. Kirk
movieDisaster on the Coastliner
1979
Stuart Peters
movieRiel
1979
The Barker
movieThe Crash of Flight 401
1978
Carl Tobias
tvLittle Women
1978
Friedrich Bhaer
movieLand of No Return
1978
Curt Benell
tvThe Bastard
1978
Paul Revere
The Third Walker
1978
Munro Maclean
movieKingdom of the Spiders
1977
Dr. Robert 'Rack' Hansen
tvTestimony of Two Men
1977
Adrian Ferrier
tvHow the West Was Won
1977
Captain Harrison
movieA Whale of a Tale
1976
Jack Fredericks
movieThe Tenth Level
1976
Prof. Stephen Turner
moviePerilous Voyage
1976
Steve Monroe
movieUniverse
1976
Narrator
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Host / Self - Cameo (uncredited)
tvBarbary Coast
1975
Jeff Cable
movieThe Devil’s Rain
1975
Mark Preston
movieImpulse
1974
Matt Stone
movieBig Bad Mama
1974
William J. Baxter
tvPolice Woman
1974
Mark Ciprio
tvKodiak
1974
Buzz Howard
tvPetrocelli
1974
Adam North
moviePray for the Wildcats
1974
Warren Summerfield
tvThe Six Million Dollar Man
1974
Josh Lang
movieIndict and Convict
1974
Sam Belden
moviePioneer Woman
1973
John Sergeant
tvThe Magician
1973
Ed Cassidy
tvStar Trek
1973
James T. Kirk (voice)
movieThe Horror at 37,000 Feet
1973
Paul Kovalik
tvBarnaby Jones
1973
Phil Carlyle / Fred Williams
movieIncident on a Dark Street
1973
Deaver G. Wallace
tvKung Fu
1972
Capt. Brandywine Gage
movieThe Hound of the Baskervilles
1972
George Stapleton
movieThe People
1972
Dr. Curtis
tvColumbo
1971
Ward Fowler / Fielding Chase
tvVanished
1971
Dave Paulick
movieThe Andersonville Trial
1970
Col. Chipman
movieSole Survivor
1970
Lt. Col. Josef Gronke
movieSwing Out, Sweet Land
1970
John Adams
movieShadow Game
1969
Peter Hoyt
tvHawaii Five-O
1968
Sam Tolliver
tvThe Name of the Game
1968
Peter / Ronald Payden
movieWhite Comanche
1968
Johnny Moon / Notah
movieAlexander The Great
1968
Alexander
tvMannix
1967
Adam Langer
Off to See the Wizard
1967
Alexander the Great
tvIronside
1967
Bill Parkins / Marty Jessup
CBS Playhouse
1966
Peter Hoyt
movieIncubus
1966
Marc
tvMission: Impossible
1966
Joseph Conrad / Thomas 'Tommy' Kroll
tvStar Trek
1966
James T. Kirk
tvThe F.B.I.
1965
Arthur Majors
tvThe Big Valley
1965
Brett
For the People
1965
David Koster
movieThe Outrage
1964
Preacher
Reporter
1964
Horner
tvThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964
Michael Donfield
tv12 O'Clock High
1964
Major Kurt Brown
tvBurke's Law
1963
Arthur Reynolds
tvChanning
1963
Tom Ericson
tvThe Fugitive
1963
Tony Burrell
tvThe Outer Limits
1963
Gen. Jeff Barton
tvArrest and Trial
1963
Larry Tavener
tvMiss USA
1963
Self - Host
movieOperation Bikini
1963
Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
tvThe Virginian
1962
Luke Milford
movieThe Intruder
1962
Adam Cramer
movieJudgment at Nuremberg
1961
Harrison Byers
movieThe Explosive Generation
1961
Peter Gifford
tvAlcoa Premiere
1961
Dr William Grant
tvDr. Kildare
1961
Dr. Toby Cunningham / Dr. Carl Noyes
tvThe Dick Powell Show
1961
Eric Tegman
tvThe Defenders
1961
Jim McCleery / Charles Terranova / Cliff Sellers / Gil Rawson / Assistant District Attorney Earl Rhodes
movieThe Grim Reaper
1961
Paul Graves
Festival
1960
Mark Antony
tvThriller
1960
Gil Thrasher / Paul Graves
tvPolice Surgeon
1960
Joe Flatt
tvThe Twilight Zone
1959
Bob Wilson / Don Carter
movieCity Out of Time
1959
Narrator (voice)
tvOne Step Beyond
1959
Carl Bremer
tv77 Sunset Strip
1958
Paul DeVinger
tvNaked City
1958
Roger Barmer / Maung Tun
movieA Town Has Turned to Dust
1958
Jerry Paul
movieThe Brothers Karamazov
1958
Alexi Karamazov
movieThe Defender (Studio One)
1957
Kenneth Preston
movieOedipus Rex
1957
Chorus
tvAlfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
Jim Whitely / John Crane
tvGunsmoke
1955
Fred Bateman
tvClimax!
1954
Ben Tate
tvThe Oscars
1953
Self
tvOmnibus
1952
Palace Messenger
tvStudio One
1948
Dr. David Coleman / Kenneth Preston / Dr. Franck
tvKraft Television Theatre
1947
Charles Best
tvGolden Globe Awards
1944
Self - Presenter / Self - Nominee / Self - Host
movieThe Atomic Bomb Collection
Narrator
tvHave I Got a Bit More News for You
Self - Presenter
tvInner Space
Narrator
Production14
movie765874: Unification
2024
Executive Producer
tvThe UnXplained: Mysteries of the Universe
2024
Executive Producer
movieWilliam Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill
2024
Executive Producer
tvThe UnXplained Special Presentation
2023
Executive Producer
tvThe UnXplained
2019
Executive Producer
movieGod Woke
2017
Executive Producer
movieThe Truth Is in the Stars
2017
Executive Producer
movieChaos on the Bridge
2014
Executive Producer
movieGet a Life!
2012
Executive Producer
movieThe Captains
2011
Executive Producer
movieFire Serpent
2007
Executive Producer
tvTekWar
1994
Producer
Directing10
movieChaos on the Bridge
2014
Director
movieGet a Life!
2012
Director
movieThe Captains
2011
Director
movieGroom Lake
2002
Director
tvPerversions of Science
1997
Director
tvTekWar
1994
Director
movieTekWar
1994
Director
tvT. J. Hooker
1982
Director
Writing8
Creator2
tvThe Captains Close Up
2013
Creator
tvTekWar
1994
Creator
Sound2
tvSquidbillies
2005
Theme Song Performance
movieBuzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins
2000
Theme Song Performance
Crew1
movieFire Serpent
2007
Creator