William Shatner Trivia

Trivia

  • Overcame his greatest phobia of falling, while directing the Yosemite National Park scenes of Star Trek V.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Nearly ten years after acting in "Star Trek IV", Shatner narrated a television documentary for endangered species on CBS, including humpback whales. In which he also became emotional to the point of weeping.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Was mentioned in David Fincher's 1999 film, "Fight Club". When Tyler asks the Narrator who he'd fight, the Narrator ponders for a moment and replies, "Shatner. I'd fight William Shatner.".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • After the success of his sixth "Trek" film and the rise of "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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Did a concert with crooner Brian Evans in Key West, joining the singer for his own style and rendition of the songs "Lady Is A Tramp" and "What Kind of Fool Am I".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Has appeared in episodes of three different series with George Takei and Nichelle Nichols: "Star Trek" (1966), "Star Trek" (1973) and "Futurama" (1999).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Did most of his own stunts for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), even though he had a stunt double, John Meier.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Mr. Lemli, a character from the original Star Trek series played by Roger Holloway, was named after his three daughters Elizabeth, Leslie, and Melanie.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Has appeared in productions at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Runs SPLATT!, a paintball recreation center in the U.S. And sometimes participates in the competitions.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • 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!"
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Was one of the guests at Sandra Bullock's and Jesse James' wedding.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Dr. James Kirkland, Ph.D wrote a 1996 "Star Trek" novel titled, "First Frontier". And in his acknowledgments, thanked Capt. Kirk (original series episode "Arena") for inspiration and being his childhood hero.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • 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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Sold his kidney stone to GoldenPalace.com for $25,000. The money goes to Habitat for Humanity, a charity that builds houses for the needy.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • In 1999, he was nominated for an Emmy for his guest-starring role in "3rd Rock from the Sun" (1996).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Had a *very* brief stint on "WWF Monday Night RAW" (1993) as the "manager" of Bret Hart.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • 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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University in Montreal.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • At first, Shatner believed that as the star of "Star Trek" (1966), he was supposed to "outshine" the rest of the actors. He said later he came to appreciate the merits of an ensemble cast, and each member's contribution, working on the show.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • 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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Wrote the "TekWar" 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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • During his marriage to Marcy Lafferty he was the son-in-law of Perry Lafferty.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Once bought a horse from Chelsea Field's father who is also the father-in-law of Scott Bakula.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • His 1986 "Saturday Night Live" (1975) appearance mocked Iran-Contra figure Oliver North (with Shatner standing mute in a green uniform), his own recently-cancelled "T.J. Hooker" (1982) and even overzealous "Star Trek" (1966) fans, when a sketch had him addressing a convention with the words "Get a life!". So many fans asked him later if he'd meant anything by the sketch (he hadn't, it was written by the "Saturday Night Live" (1975) staff) that "Get a Life!" became the title of his fan memoir.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • His version of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was voted as the worst massacre of a The Beatles song ever in May 2003.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Has done far more than "Star Trek" (1966) and a few other science fiction shows. The face that launched a thousand starships has also performed in radio dramas, on Broadway, participated in live television during the Golden Age and accomplished award winning stage performances.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • His favorite "Star Trek" (1966) episode is _Star Trek" (1966) {The Devil in the Dark (#1.25)}_ .
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • He had some worries about appearing in the "Futurama" (1999) episode, "Where No Fan Has Gone Before". He spoke with Billy West, who told Shatner that the cast and crew had nothing but respect for him. He agreed to continue.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • His clipped, dramatic narration, peppered with dramatic pauses, is often referred to as "Shatnerian".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Leonard Nimoy was the best man at his wedding to Nerine Kidd.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Has appeared in episodes of six different series 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).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • In the late 1960's he recorded an LP titled "The Transformed Man", which is considered a camp classic today. One track was a spoken cover version of "Mr. Tambourine Man", in which he gave an over-dramatic performance that some compared to a man on a bad drug trip. Shatner today embraces his checkered reputation as a "camp" performer.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Is fluent in French.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Is of Ukrainian-Jewish descent and is mentioned in "The Simpsons" (1989) episode "Like Father, like Klown" [sic] (series 3, Episode 6) as being a famous Jewish entertainer. He is 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").
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • First performer to win Emmys for portraying the same character (Denny Crane) on two different shows ("The Practice" (1997) and "Boston Legal" (2004))
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • Was the first person to appear on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993) sketch "Celebrity Secrets," which has since become a regular sketch on the show featuring major celebrities such as Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, and his fellow "Star Trek" captains, Patrick Stewart and George Takei.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • 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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • 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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • 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 try to put the fire out, grabbing a fire hose and spraying it at the fire.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Editor wdwdemo
  • A building at McGill University in Montreal has been named the "Shatner Building".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Underwent right hip replacement surgery on June 2008.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • 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.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • One of his favorite restaurants to eat at while in Montreal is Vichy`s.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • The hometown of his alter-ego Capt. Kirk, Riverside, Iowa is known by hardcore Trekkers as "the other Kirkland". Being that Kirkland, Canada is a few miles from Montreal, Quebec.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • His old house on Bag Ave., in Laval, Quebec was bought by a millionaire.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Overcame his greatest phobia of falling, while directing the Yosemite National Park scenes of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Money from his dad`s Laval, Quebec hardware and furniture business supported him during the actor`s job hunt in the U.S.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Sold his kidney stone to GoldenPalace.com for $75,000. The money goes to Habitat for Humanity, a charity that builds houses for the needy.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • 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 "Arena" when they were both too close to a special effects explosion.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • He joins Sylvester Stallone, Prince, Kevin Costner, Roberto Benigni and Tom Green as being the only actors to direct themselves in performances that would "win" them a Razzie Award for Worst Actor.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Worked as a camp counselor, as a teen, at Camp B`nai Brith in the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • 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).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Is a vegetarian.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • His favorite "Star Trek" (1966) episode is "Star Trek: The Devil in the Dark (#1.25)" (1967).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Bill was born to Ann and Joseph Shatner on March 22, 1931 in Montreal, Canada.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • He understudied Christopher Plummer in a stage production of "Henry V".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Wrote and directed a college musical ...."The Red, White and Blue Revue".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Produces and hosts the annual Hollywood Charity Horse Show which he founded in 1990. Over 1.25 million dollars has been raised for children`s charities, such as Ahead With Horses, L.A.`s BEST and Children`s Museum of Los Angeles.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • His face appears on the cover of the official First Aid handbook issued by the National Safety Council.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • In 2001, he married Elizabeth Martin, a horse trainer who lost her husband to cancer in 1997. Their grief and their love of horses drew them together they currently live in Southern California.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • His daughter Melanie Shatner had a small role in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) that was directed by her father.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Both his daughters Melanie Shatner and Lisabeth Shatner appeared in the "Star Trek" (1966) episode "Miri".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Daughter Lisabeth Shatner was Miss Golden Globe 1985.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Children with Gloria Rand: Leslie Carol (born August 31, 1958, married to Gordon Walker, two children: Grant and Eric); Lisabeth Mary (born June 12, 1960, married to Andy Clement); Melanie Ann (born August 1, 1964, married to actor Joel Gretsch).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Wrote some Star Trek fiction novels, among them "The Ashes of Eden", "The Return", and "Avenger".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Is fluent in French and Esperanto.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Shatner is the CEO of the Toronto-based Core Digital Effects company that did the effects for the 1996 film Fly Away Home (1996).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Shortly after the original series of "Star Trek" (1966) was cancelled, his wife Gloria Rand left him and took him to the cleaners. With very little money and acting prospects now, he lived in a truck bed camper until acting bit-parts turned into higher paying roles.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • The Students University Centre at McGill University is, unofficially, named after him.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care".
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Hobbies: horses and tennis.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Has 3 daughters, Leslie Carol (born 1958), Lisabeth Shatner(born 1960) and Melanie Shatner (born 1964). He and his wife live in Southern California. Also has a 360 acre horse farm in Kentucky.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Breeds and shows American Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Daughter Lisabeth Shatner wrote the script for the "T.J. Hooker" (1982) episode "Partners in Death" (1986).
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • His third wife, Nerine Kidd, accidentally drowned in the swimming pool at their home in Studio City. [9 August 1999]
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
  • Married 4 times.
    (imdb.com)
    Posted by Chief Editor CindyCelebs
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