William Shatner, now 95, remains a central figure in the enduring legacy of Star Trek as the iconic series approaches its 60th anniversary on September 8, 2026. Reflecting on the show’s origins, the actor recalls how the original program, which aired from 1966 to 1969 before being canceled by NBC, defied expectations to become a global phenomenon. Shatner notes that at the time, few would have predicted the show would remain a fixture of popular culture six decades later, eventually spawning a vast empire of films and spin-offs.
During a recent interview in his Studio City office, Shatner looked back on his career with a mix of humor and pragmatism. When reminded of a 2016 photo shoot where he cleared his desk of Tribbles—the fictional creatures from the 1967 episode “The Trouble with Tribbles”—he admitted he had no recollection of the event. He jokingly defended the creatures, describing them as a metaphor for the unchecked activities of humanity.
The actor’s journey has not been without its professional challenges. He candidly discussed the early days of the franchise, noting that because unions had not yet established syndication fees, he received no financial benefit from the show’s massive resurgence in popularity. Despite this, he maintained a successful career, starring in “T.J. Hooker” and earning Emmy Awards for his work on “The Practice” and “Boston Legal.”
Beyond his acting career, Shatner has continued to push boundaries, notably becoming the oldest person to travel to space at age 90 during a 2021 Blue Origin flight. The experience left him deeply moved by the beauty of Earth and increasingly concerned about environmental degradation, a topic he speaks about with visible emotion.
A significant shift in Shatner’s worldview occurred in June 2023, when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 malignant melanoma. The diagnosis followed the discovery of a growing lump on his cheek. He described the harrowing experience of being told by doctors that he had only five months to live, a prognosis that he acknowledges would have been fatal a decade ago.
The situation was particularly difficult because his youngest daughter, 62-year-old Melanie Shatner Gretsch, was simultaneously battling Stage 4 breast cancer. Both father and daughter faced the prospect of limited time, with Shatner reflecting on the profound emotional weight of confronting mortality alongside his child. He described the experience of being told he had months to live as a life-altering event that forced him to re-evaluate his priorities.
Following surgery and two years of intensive immunotherapy, Shatner is now cancer-free. His daughter has also successfully completed her treatment, which included chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Together, they have launched a wellness podcast titled “No Time But Now” to share their experiences.
This brush with death has fundamentally changed how Shatner views his existence. He admits that he previously lived with a sense of invincibility, believing that the universe was looking out for him on a daily basis. That perspective, he says, has worn off like a callus, replaced by a deep appreciation for the small, everyday moments of life.
While he admits to feeling anxious about mortality, he emphasizes that he is not concerned with his legacy. He dismisses the concept of legacy as something that inevitably erodes over time, preferring to focus on the value of performing good deeds. He describes himself as a human with faults who remains an admirer of kindness.
Shatner, who faced public scrutiny for missing the 2015 funeral of his longtime friend and co-star Leonard Nimoy, remains focused on the present. He says he thinks about dying more often now, but he is grateful for every moment, whether it is a simple dinner or a new day of life.
Ultimately, the Star Trek legend views his survival as a testament to modern medical advancements. He remains active and engaged, continuing to work and connect with his audience, while maintaining a humble outlook on his place in the world.
LOS ANGELES − In 2016, William Shatner walked into his Studio City office for a photo shoot marking the 50th anniversary of “Star Trek” to find his desk overrun with Tribbles, the furry creatures from the belov
A decade later, sitting in the same office, Shatner, 95, insists he has no memory of the great Tribble desk purge.
“Was it done humorously?” Shatner asks earnestly, insisting he has no beef with the furiously breeding sci-fi creatures from the comedic episode.
LOS ANGELES − In 2016, William Shatner walked into his Studio City office for a photo shoot marking the 50th anniversary of “Star Trek” to find his desk overrun with Tribbles, the furry creatures from the beloved 1967 episode “The Trouble with Tribbles.” The star forever known as Captain Kirk unceremoniously swept the carefully arranged props off his desk and proceeded with a Tribble-free photo shoot.
As creator Gene Roddenberry’s groundbreaking series approaches the 60th anniversary of its premiere on Sept.
8, 1966, Shatner remains fascinated by the amazing journey of the original show that lasted just three seasons (1966-1969) before NBC canceled it − yet turned the USS Enterprise crew, starting with Shatner’s captain, into global icons.
“I think if you polled the entire human population and asked them, ‘You know that mediocre and barely surviving television show that’s on Friday nights at 10 o’clock with nobody watching?'” Shatner says.
“I don’t think you’d find anyone saying it would still be in our consciousness 60 years later.”
But after Paramount sold the 79 episodes into syndication, “Star Trek” exploded in popularity, finding a devoted “Trekkie” audience that turned the series into a global entertainment empire that has spawned feature films and multiple generations of TV spin-offs (from ” Star Trek: The Next Generation” to the current “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” ).
Shatner says his joy was tempered by the lack of cash flowing with the new success.
“I received no money and became famously poor.”
But the classically trained Canadian actor, famed for his distinctive dramatic line delivery, has remained rich in staying power.
Along with starring in the police drama “T.J.
“I weep more so than ever,” he says.