star trek novels by william shatner

• Discussions
• Reading Challenge
• Kindle Notes & Highlights
• Favorite genres
• Friends’ recommendations
• Account settings

The Shatnerverse Series

Shelve The Ashes of Eden

• Want to Read
• Currently Reading
• Add New Shelf

Shelve The Return

Shelve Avenger

Shelve Spectre

Shelve Dark Victory

Shelve Preserver

Shelve Captain's Peril

Shelve Captain's Blood

Shelve Captain's Glory

Shelve Collision Course

Related series.

William Shatner Books In Order

Publication order of quest for tomorrow books, publication order of tekwar books, publication order of war books, publication order of zero-g / samuel lord books, publication order of star trek: the original books, publication order of star trek: academy books, publication order of star trek: the mirror universe trilogy books, publication order of star trek: odyssey books, publication order of star trek: totality books, publication order of standalone novels, publication order of non-fiction books.

William Shatner William Shatner is a science fiction author best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek series and subsequent movies. The talented actor also played a leading role in Boston Legal, and this has already earned him two Emmys. Away from the screen, Shatner has also made a name for himself in the writing world. He has an impressive collection of science fiction novels and a few memoirs to his name. Shatner’s rise to the top hasn’t been easy. He has had to make sacrifices to ensure that his art stands out in a world filled with talented actors and highly experienced writers.

Up Till Now Up Till Now is a biography of William Shatner and his close to sixty years in the acting industry. Today, Shatner is one of the most respected entertainers. He seems to be everywhere, whether it is the Emmys or your favorite show. In this book, Shatner lets the reader into his life, detailing how the journey has been up until his current position. The book also covers Shatner’s early life in Canada and a bit about his grandparents, who were Jewish immigrants. While his parents dreamt that he would one day take over their clothing manufacturing business Shatner knew from an early age that he wanted to act, and he took any chance that pushed him closer to his dream.

Shatner rose to fame thanks to his Star Trek series. His work was later made to film, which only made him more famous. All of a sudden, everyone knew his name, and his face was recognizable throughout the world. However, Shatner’s career did not start with the star trek films. He had made a point of using his acting skills whenever possible, and this paid big time in the end. Whether it was acting Shakespeare’s Henry V to taking a leading role in Boston Legal, the author put his all in his acting. He also went on to get other remarkable roles after Star Trek.

In a funny yet touching way, Shatner reveals the many behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped his career. What comes clear is that he has always been a risk-taker where his acting is concerned. Where others played safe, Shatner took a bold step without worrying how the fans would respond or what effects his action would have on his career. Following his revelations, it is easy to see how the author became a worldwide star. It may come as a surprise for many Sar Trek fans that this series was considered a flop by the time it was canceled. The author confesses that he was ready to forget about the series. However, thanks to broadcast syndication, the series became such a hit a few years later. His character in the series, Kirk, charted the way for numerous other opportunities for this talented actor.

Up Till Now is an honest account of actor William Shatner’s acting career. Like most actors, Shatner feared that he would not find an acting job that would sustain him. Due to this fear, he took any job that came and did not take holidays until his star started shining. His dedication to his career is evident from the start, and, amazingly, he has maintained his enthusiasm throughout his acting. Shatner’s rise has been steady, and through this memoir, he shows other upcoming actors that it did not all come easy. There we setbacks and disappointments, but he never took his eyes off his goal.

Leonard Leonard is a deep biography where William Shatner details his five-decade friendship with fellow actor Leonard Nimoy. These two first crossed paths when they both acted in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. What they did not know is that their next roles would shape their lives in ways they would never have thought possible. During the 79 episodes they acted together in Star Trek, Leonard and Shatner become close friends. Their bond grew beyond Star Trek, and for over half a century, they celebrated their highs and went through their lows together. If you heard about Leonard and Shatner’s friendship speculations, this book would provide some light on what these were all about.

In this emotional book, Shatner shares anecdotes about their shared moments. a good portion of these stories have never been told, and it is intriguing to read how life was for these legendary actors before they became famous. These two friends related more like brothers, and things were not always great between them. Shatner talks about his failings, where their friendship is concerned. He touches on some of their troubles and the competitiveness that saw them act like strangers in some instances. The author is quick to confess that he always had a hard time making friends. This remained even when he got into adulthood. He met people, started friendships, but he couldn’t sustain them for long.

While this book celebrates a great man, any Star Trek fan will find it intriguing. The author talks a lot about this show where their friendship started. Shatner also documents their struggles with alcohol, nicotine, and balancing work and family when their careers were at their peak. Leonard is often said to have been a great man, and the author states this a few times. Shatner shares his experiences from the heart, and his honesty and the depth in this story will keep you reading the memoir to the end.

Leonard is a candid and heartfelt read. A part of it reads like a love letter, while the other bit sounds like an apology for all the times the author acted inappropriately. Shatner wrote this book shortly after Leonard died as his tribute. It is amazing how similar these actors’ lives were. Their upbringing was similar, and they both came from Jewish immigrant families. They were also great actors, but, in the beginning, they had to live paycheck to paycheck to continue doing what they loved most. Shatner admits to being jealous about Leonard’s role in Star Trek, but it is amazing how these thespians handled their insecurities until Leonard’s death.

Leave a Reply

The links beside each book title will take you to Amazon where you can read more about the book, check availability, or purchase it. As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases. If you would like to link to us, Get the Code Here .

I often get asked by readers if they can donate to the site as a thank you for all the hard work. While I appreciate the offer – please support one of these great causes instead (list rotates monthly): Your local humane society Ronald McDonald House Camfed The Life You Can Save

• Jack Reacher
• Court Gentry / Gray Man

I just want to thank everyone for visiting the site. Any issues at all don’t hesitate to use the contact form. To read more about the site or if you want a graphic to link to us, see the about page for more details.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

The Shatnerverse

The Return (Star Trek)

The Ashes of Eden

Preserver (Star Trek)

Star Trek: Academy—Collision Course

Dark Victory (Star Trek)

Avenger (Star Trek)

Captain's Peril

Spectre (Star Trek)

Captain's Glory (Star Trek)

Captain's Blood (Star Trek)

Popular categories.

• Teen and Young Adult
• Literature & Fiction
• Mystery & Thriller
• Sci-fi & Fantasy
• Large Print Books
• Rare & Collectible Books
• ShareBookLove
• Educator Benefits
• Librarian Benefits
• e-Gift Cards
• View Mobile Site
• Shopping Cart
• Order History

Partnerships

• Library Program
• Help & Support
• Shipping Costs
• Return Policy
• Website Suggestions
• Our Purpose
• Social Responsibility
• Testimonials

• Sign up and get a free ebook!
• Don't miss our $0.99 ebook deals!

William Shatner

About the author, author alerts.

Get updates about William Shatner and recommended reads from Simon & Schuster . Plus, get a FREE ebook when you sign up!

Books by William Shatner

Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love.

William Shatner

William Shatner is best known for his distinctive voice and his roles on 'Star Trek' and 'Boston Legal.'

Who Is William Shatner?

Actor, director, author, singer William Shatner is best known for his roles on Boston Legal and Star Trek .

Born on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 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.

Early Stage and Screen Roles

In 1961, Shatner had a small part in the Holocaust drama Judgment at Nuremberg , 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 series, For the People , in 1965. He starred on the short-lived drama as an assistant district attorney in New York City.

'Star Trek' Series and Films

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 dramatic, but earnest delivery of his lines on Star Trek , Shatner recorded renditions of such songs as the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

Not long after the album, Star Trek was canceled. The show, however, continued to live on in syndication and became even more popular. Star Trek became a Saturday morning cartoon that ran during the mid-1970s, and it was resurrected a live action film in 1979. Returning to the role of Kirk, Shatner starred in Star Trek: The Motion Picture . The film's warm reception by film-goers showed how much affection the public had for the old series. At the beginning of the film, Kirk has become an admiral, Bones has retired, and Spock has returned to the planet Vulcan. But the three return to work on a new version of the Enterprise to solve a crisis involving a mysterious cloud that has destroyed several spaceships.

In the sequel Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Kirk has to overcome an old adversary out for revenge, Khan Noonien Singh (Richardo Montalban). He followed with Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986).

The next chapter in the Star Trek film series received a lukewarm reception. For Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), Shatner not only returned as Kirk, but made his debut as a feature film director as well. The film, unfortunately, received some fairly negative reviews. Movie critic Roger Ebert called it "a mess," involving "not much danger, no characters to really care about, little suspense, uninteresting ... villains, and great deal of small talk."

Not matter what the reviews said, the Star Trek film series continued at warp speed. The next installments were Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) and then Star Trek Generations (1994). In Generations , the members of the original Star Trek hand the baton to the cast of the spin-off series Star Trek: The Next Generation , marking the end of Shatner's starring role in the franchise.

TV and Movie Roles

't.j. hooker'.

In 1982, Shatner took on a new leading television role in T. J. Hooker , as a veteran police officer who returns to a street beat. The supporting cast included Heather Locklear and Adrian Zmed as younger officers who work with and look up to Shatner's character. Unlike the original Star Trek series, T. J. Hooker was immediately popular with television audiences.

Shatner remained a fixture on television even after T. J. Hooker went off the air, becoming the host for Rescue 911 in 1989. This was an early entry into the reality television genre, featuring reenactments of emergency situations.

'The Practice,' 'Boston Legal'

On the big screen, Shatner appeared as a beauty pageant host in Miss Congeniality (2000) and its sequel Miss Congeniality 2 (2005), with Sandra Bullock . In 2003, he made a guest appearance as a talented, but eccentric lawyer on The Practice . His turn as Denny Crane brought him his first Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2004. He had been previously nominated for his guest appearance on the science fiction sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun in 1999.

The Practice creator David E. Kelley created a spin-off series, Boston Legal , featuring Shatner's character Denny Crane in 2004. Law partner and master litigator Crane acts as a mentor of sorts to Alan Shore (played by James Spader). For his work on the series, Shatner won his second Emmy — this time for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — in 2005. More nominations in this category followed in 2006 and in 2007.

'Shatner's Raw Nerve,' 'Weird or What?'

In 2008, Shatner began work on Shatner's Raw Nerve, a celebrity interview program on the Biography Channel. He then worked on another Biography Channel project entitled Aftermath with William Shatner , which focused on the stories of ordinary citizens who became overnight celebrities, and also hosted the supernatural-themed Weird or What?

'$#*! My Dad Says,' 'Better Late Than Never'

In 2010, Shatner returned to sitcom TV in the short-lived $#*! My Dad Says , based on a Twitter feed of the same name. He began hosting the U.S. version of the stop-motion series Clangers in 2015, and enjoyed some success with the reality-travel series Better Late Than Never the following year, alongside Henry Winkler , George Foreman and Terry Bradshaw .

'The UnXplained' on HISTORY

Shatner is the host and executive producer of the HISTORY nonfiction series The UnXplained , which premiered on July 19, 2019, at 10 pm ET/PT. The series tackles subjects that have mystified mankind for centuries, from mysterious structures and cursed ancient cities to extraterrestrial sightings and bizarre rituals.

“It’s an intriguing show that will offer viewers credible answers to questions about mysterious phenomena, while also leaving other theories left unexplained," Shatner said.

Shatner has experienced great success as an author. During the writers' strike of 1987, he transformed a screenplay idea into a novel. The result was TekWar (1989), a work of science fiction featuring a middle-aged private detective working in the twenty-second century. More Tek titles followed and were later adapted for television.

Additionally, Shatner worked with Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens to create a series of Star Trek novels, and launched the Quest for Tomorrow and Samuel Lord science fiction series.

Also a veteran of nonfiction, Shatner co-authored Star Trek Memories (1993) and Star Trek Movie Memories (1994) with Chris Kreski. He and Kreski also worked together on Get a Life! (1999), a look at the whole Star Trek fan phenomenon. The actor went on to pen several nonfiction books with David Fisher, including Up Till Now: The Autobiography (2008) and Live Long And...: What I Learned Along the Way (2018).

Marriages and Personal

From 1956 to 1969, Shatner was married to Canadian actress Gloria Rand. The couple had three children together. Shatner married actress Marcy Lafferty in 1973. That marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Shortly thereafter, he married model Nerine Kidd. Kidd's life came to a tragic end in 1999, when she accidentally drowned in a pool at the Shatners' home in Studio City, California.

After such a tragic loss, Shatner was able to find happiness again with his 2001 marriage to Elizabeth J. Martin, a horse breeder. In late 2019, it was reported that the 88-year-old actor had filed for divorce.

As part of his own love of horses, Shatner started the annual Hollywood Charity Horse Show to raise funds for children's charities in 1990.

In late 2017, Canadian Governor General Julie Payette appointed Shatner an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions to popular culture and his charity work.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: William Shatner
• Birth Year: 1931
• Birth date: March 22, 1931
• Birth City: Montreal
• Birth Country: Canada
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: William Shatner is best known for his distinctive voice and his roles on 'Star Trek' and 'Boston Legal.'
• Astrological Sign: Aries
• McGill University

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: William Shatner Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/william-shatner
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: December 11, 2019
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
• The line between making a total ass of yourself and being fundamentally funny is very narrow.

Famous Actors

Timothée Chalamet

Anya Taylor-Joy

Cillian Murphy

Olivia Munn

Cillian Murphy & Sterling K. Brown Oscars Grooming

Ryan Gosling’s Oscars Sunglasses

Ryan Gosling

Robert Downey Jr.

Get to Know Oscar Winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets. In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets. In the 23rd Century, Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise explore the galaxy and defend the United Federation of Planets.

• Gene Roddenberry
• William Shatner
• Leonard Nimoy
• DeForest Kelley
• 276 User reviews
• 99 Critic reviews
• 16 wins & 31 nominations total

Episodes 80

Photos 1927

• Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk …

• Mister Spock …

• Lieutenant Leslie …

• Nurse Chapel …

• Ensign Freeman …

• Yeoman Rand …

• Announcer …

• Beta 5 Computer …
• Security Guard …
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Stellar Photos From the "Star Trek" TV Universe

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia In the hallways of the Enterprise there are tubes marked "GNDN." These initials stand for "goes nowhere does nothing."
• Goofs The deck locations for Kirk's Quarters, Sickbay and Transporter Room vary (usually between decks 4-7) throughout the series.

Dr. McCoy : "He's dead, Jim."

• Crazy credits On some episodes, the closing credits show a still that is actually from the Star Trek blooper reel. It is a close-up of stunt man Bill Blackburn who played an android in Return to Tomorrow (1968) , removing his latex make up. In the reel, He is shown taking it off, while an off-screen voice says "You wanted show business, you got it!"
• Alternate versions In 2006, CBS went back to the archives and created HD prints of every episode of the show. In addition to the new video transfer, they re-did all of the model shots and some matte paintings using CGI effects, and re-recorded the original theme song to clean it up. These "Enhanced" versions of the episodes aired on syndication and have been released on DVD and Blu-Ray.
• Connections Edited into Ben 10: Secrets (2006)
• Soundtracks Star Trek Music by Alexander Courage

User reviews 276

• Nov 25, 2003

Lovable Creatures: Our Favorite Screen Pals

• How do they maintain Gravity on the the U.S.S. Enterprise ? .
• All aliens on all planets speak the English language?
• What does "TOS" mean?
• September 8, 1966 (United States)
• United States
• Star Trek: The Original Series
• Backlot, Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
• Desilu Productions
• Norway Corporation
• Paramount Television
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 50 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

William Shatner Is Wrong About His Regret for Kirk's Death Scene

• Star Trek: Generations aimed to honor the franchise's past while paving the way for the future, bringing iconic characters together.
• William Shatner's regret over Captain Kirk's death scene stems from his final line portrayal, not the decision to include it.
• Star Trek: Generations marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one, providing fans with more time with their hero.

Thirty years ago, Star Trek was ready to boldly go from Star Trek: The Original Series era of movies to make Star Trek: The Next Generation into the next film franchise. Still, in order to bring along the people who supported the six previous installments, they wanted to honor the past while paving the way for the future. The most significant moment was when William Shatner returned as Captain James T. Kirk just to die in 1994's Star Trek: Generations. The film didn't quite stick the landing for fans or, it seems, Shatner himself.

After the success of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country , many in the veteran cast were reluctant to return, especially since it was going to end their characters' stories for good. Similarly, the new cast almost wanted to ensure Generations was their movie, while still being gracious hosts and stewards of the Star Trek legacy. Both DeForrest Kelly and Leonard Nimoy (who was offered the role of director) passed on the film because they felt it diminished their characters' legacy to cameo-fodder, according to Shatner in The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman. The Kirk actor would also regret the film , but for a much different reason.

Why William Shatner Calls Kirk's Death in Star Trek: Generations His Biggest Regret

William shatner joins leonard nimoy's family in remembering the star trek legend.

When considering producer Rick Berman's relative feature film inexperience and the studio-mandated decision to make it concurrently with The Next Generation's final season, Star Trek: Generations is a much better film than it has any right to be. While promoting the documentary You Can Call Me Bill , William Shatner admits he doesn't regret doing the movie. For what it's worth, the scenes in which Captain Kirk appear are welcome to longtime fans.

The actor's only regret is his final line-reading as Captain Kirk. "In my mind, I failed horribly. I wish that I’d had the backing and the courage to do the things I felt I needed to do," Shatner said in an interview. After helping Captain Picard stop Soren (played by Malcolm McDowell), Kirk is crushed to death under debris. He doesn't go quickly nor does he seem to be in pain. In fact, he talks about how "fun" it was to help Picard "make a difference." Shatner wanted his final line of dialogue, "Oh my," to play with a lifelong explorer's amazement at the threshold to the truly final frontier.

To him, that's not what's there in the take the director used. Shatner thinks Captain Kirk's last words play as fear, and the last thing he wanted for his most iconic character was to send him off that way . While the scene can play that way, at the same time, looking at it as if Kirk is fearful at the moment of his death diminishes the equally nuanced performance by Shatner.

Would William Shatner Want the Chance to Redo Kirk's Death Scene?

How william shatner unearthed star trek: tng's early troubles.

In 2023, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds co-showrunner Akiva Goldsman said he was open to digitally recreating characters for retcon purposes . At the time, he was speaking about completely erasing the death from the Star Trek timeline, but also admitted there was no plan to do so. Still, Goldsman, Star Trek: Picard showrunner Terry Matalas and other Star Trek fans all felt that Captain Kirk's death was mishandled. However, it had nothing to with William Shatner's performance, but rather the lines and scenes he was given to play. Knowing that he regrets the scene as it is in the film, there may be another option.

The idea of undoing the events of Generations would be a disservice to The Next Generation cast and even Matalas' own Season 3 of Picard . Perhaps there is a way to snatch Kirk out of harm's way at the last second, but it's hard to see how such a retcon would serve Generations ' story or the character's overall arc. However, as George Lucas proved with Star Wars ' Special Editions, just because a movie is decades old doesn't mean it can't be tweaked. William Shatner is preserving himself with interactive AI , though for his family not Hollywood. Still, it means he might be open to using AI and deepfake technology to get one more take of that "Oh my."

If it truly is a regret that eats at William Shatner and his legacy as Captain Kirk, then it should be his choice . If Paramount is willing to spend the money and Shatner is game, he could redo it. Yet, it's not something he must do because Shatner is wrong about Captain Kirk's death coming across as fearful. Taking into account his long history with the character, the way he delivers Kirk's final line is something fans can (and should) debate from now until the real 24th Century.

Fans Who Think Captain Kirk Is Afraid of Death Don't Understand Him

Which star trek captains capture the spirit of jim kirk and william shatner.

Actors are naturally self-critical, and at 93 years old, William Shatner is perhaps more reflective now than he ever was before. He is right that audiences could watch Kirk's death scene in a vacuum and see it as fearful. Yet, anyone who has seen a tenth of his work in Star Trek should know Kirk would not fear death . At worst, the "Oh my" plays as something unexpected . As Bones said in The Search for Spock , Kirk "take[s] death and turn[s] it into a fighting chance to live." As Kirk is recounting to Picard how fun the adventure was for him, perhaps he hadn't yet realized there was no turning this one around.

Yet, Captain Kirk isn't just a space-cowboy getting in and out of scrapes across the galaxy. He is, at his core, an explorer. He isn't as contemplative as Spock nor emotionally attuned as McCoy. The power of his experience doesn't usually hit Kirk until he's in the thick of it. He doesn't overreact, but he does acknowledge the wonder. Knowing this, the "Oh my," doesn't just play as surprise. Like in the Genesis cave or on the planet Sha-Ka-Ree, Kirk discovers that oncoming death isn't a door closing, but opening on an experience unlike any he'd imagined .

Feelings about how Captain Kirk dies aside, Star Trek: Generations gives audiences more time with their hero. The Next Generation never commented on it directly, but the implication was that Kirk was long dead. Generations didn't "kill" Kirk, time did that. The movie brought him back, if only for a short while. The scene in which Kirk explains to Picard why life in the Nexus is not for him is one of the character's best. The movie understands what motivated him in the series and films that preceded it. Yet, it's still not how most fans think Kirk should have met his ultimate fate.

Captain James T. Kirk Should've Died on the Bridge of 'a' USS Enterprise

William shatner's quick thinking saved star trek's interracial kiss milestone.

There was nothing wrong with the decision to film Captain Kirk's death scene nor with William Shatner's performance of it . Still, it is fair to complain about how it happened. Considering the USS Enterprise-D was also destroyed in the film, he should've been in command of the saucer section. Put another way, Kirk should've gone down with the ship saving the lives of a Starfleet crew a century after his time.

If any Star Trek captain deserved a blaze of glory , it's Captain James T. Kirk. In the commentary track with Moore and Braga, the two writers discussed countless versions of the final sequence, with Moore saying he didn't "even know where this bridge stuff came from." Still, both he and Braga wanted Kirk's final line to be "It was fun," as commentary on the entire Star Trek adventure. "Oh my," was Shatner's line. In The Fifty-Year Mission both Moore and Braga admit they would've liked more time to work on the story.

Production schedules and budgets were largely in command of where characters appeared and what they did. It would've also been difficult to logically divine a reason for Kirk to stay on the bridge of the saucer section while everyone else escaped. It would've been awesome to watch, but it may not have made much sense. As it stands, in Generations , Kirk dies saving billions of lives after first almost dying saving the lives of a ship of refugees and the newly-minted USS Enterprise-B. Was it a "good death?" Maybe not. But it was a heroic one just the same.

Star Trek is not real-life with fantastic technologies like transporters or warp drive. Yet, what makes it so enduring is that the relationships at the stories' cores feel as real as any other fiction. Both Kirk's death and William Shatner's regret provide a unique layer of authenticity to that scene . Death doesn't give people a second take, even larger-than-life figures. Sometimes seemingly small acts have a huge impact and an even bigger cost.

Star Trek: Generations is available to own on DVD, Blu-ray, digital and streams on HBO Max.

Star Trek: Generations

With the help of long presumed dead Captain Kirk, Captain Picard must stop a deranged scientist willing to murder on a planetary scale in order to enter a space matrix.

Director David Carson

Release Date November 18, 1994

Cast Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, Walter Koenig, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Marina Sirtis, Alan Ruck, James Doohan, Gates McFadden, Malcolm McDowell

Writers Rick Berman, Gene Roddenberry, Ronald D. Moore

Runtime 1 Hour 58 Minutes

Main Genre Science Fiction

Genres Mystery, Action, Science Fiction, Adventure

Production Company Paramount Pictures

Star Trek: 5 Actors Who Almost Played Spock Instead Of Leonard Nimoy

Even to the uninitiated, Leonard Nimoy's Spock has long served as the face of the "Star Trek" franchise. Reflecting on the iconic character while speaking with  Variety  about  "Strange New Worlds," the most recent Spock actor, Ethan Peck , recalled his own experience flashing the Vulcan's signature hand sign on his grade school playground as a kid. "When I thought of 'Star Trek,' I thought of Spock. And now I'm him," the actor mused. "It's crazy."

Like Zachary Quinto before him, Peck landed the gig in part because of his passable resemblance to Nimoy's O.G. Vulcan. Despite creator Gene Roddenberry's conviction that the actor would be perfect for the role, he was one of a handful of aspiring Vulcans in the running. According to William Shatner's account in the memoir "Star Trek Memories,"  NBC required Roddenberry to consider a handful of other actors for the role before landing on Nimoy. And judging by the lineup, Captain Kirk's favorite bromance could have looked a lot different.

Actors who were seriously considered for — or even offered — the role include character actor Rex Holman ("Escape to Witch Mountain"), Victor Lundin (Gene from "The Theory of Everything"), Michael Dunn ("The Wild, Wild West" TV series),  Martin Landau, whose many well-known roles include Bela Lugosi in "Ed Wood,"  and even DeForest Kelley, who ended up playing the ship's doctor, Leonard "Bones" McCoy. 

Roddenberry wanted Nimoy, but NBC wanted someone else

As recounted in  Marc Cushman's book, "These Are the Voyages: TOS, Season One," Spock had been on Gene Roddenberry's mind early in the "Star Trek" pilot creation process. For suggestions on casting the ship's first officer, he had turned to Gary Lockwood, who played the lead in Roddenberry's 1963 TV military drama series "The Lieutenant." When the actor recommended Roddenberry cast someone "who was really good, but ... had kind of a strange face," Majel Barrett — Roddenberry's wife and then-future Trek legend — immediately reminded him of Nimoy. 

But NBC had their own guy in mind to play the Vulcan — namely, Martin Landau. By the time he was offered the role of Spock, Landau had racked up a number of TV and film roles, including appearances on "The Twilight Zone," "Wagon Train," "Gunsmoke," and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour." Around the same time the actor was offered the role of Spock, he had been up for a role in the spy series "Mission Impossible" as master of disguise Rollin Hand.

For Landau, turning down the space series was a no-brainer. In 1986, the actor told  Starlog,  "I can't play wooden. It's the antithesis of why I became an actor," adding that "newscasters are more emotional than Spock." Instead, he went for the spy gig — a role that earned him a Golden Globe in 1968.

DeForest Kelley turned down the role

Dishing in Allan Asherman's  "The Star Trek Interview Book,"  Roddenberry said Michael Dunn, a 3' 10" actor whose best-known role was as Dr. Miguelito Loveless on "The Wild, Wild West," was also considered for the part. "I wanted Spock to look different and be different, and yes, to make a statement about being an outsider looking in," Roddenberry explained. Ultimately, the franchise creator felt the role needed someone more conventionally attractive to a weekly TV audience, concluding, "It was the right choice for the time." Dunn did, however, end up making an appearance on "Star Trek" in one of the series' most notorious episodes, "Plato's Stepchildren."

Victor Lundin, who played one of the first Klingons in "Star Trek" in "Errand of Mercy," also auditioned for Spock. In 2001, he told the  Chicago Reader,  "If you look at my ears you can see why. I would've saved them millions in makeup." According to Lundin, he was just too much of a beefcake to play the Vulcan at the time, noting, "I was very buff in those days." Also considered for the role was Rex Holman, who would finally get his turn with the franchise in "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier."

But for many Trekkies, the most surprising Spock revelation is that DeForest Kelley read for the role as the Enterprise's Vulcan science officer. Kelley detailed his near-Spock experience in  "From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley, Star Trek's Dr. McCoy."  Recalling a lunch meeting with Roddenberry, Kelley recounted, "He described this character, this alien with the ears, and he asked me how I felt about playing it." However , the idea of playing a Vulcan didn't sit well with him. "No, Gene, really, I don't want to do it," he recalled, answering in a tone similar to that of his  sarcastic Enterprise doctor, Bones .

site categories

Kyle maclachlan gives his view on another ‘twin peaks’ reboot & says today’s hollywood stars are more “aware of the business” than in days gone by, how ‘bambi’ & horatio hornblower helped launch william shatner & captain kirk: the film that lit my fuse.

By Mike Fleming Jr

Mike Fleming Jr

Co-Editor-in-Chief, Film

More Stories By Mike

• LuckyChap Teaming With Olivia Wilde On ‘Deadpool’ Rob Liefeld’s ‘Avengelyne’? Get Your Checkbooks Ready: The Dish
• Legendary, ‘Dune’ Helmer Denis Villeneuve Re-Team On ‘Nuclear War: A Scenario’
• Want To Honor The Memory Of Beloved Producer Paula Weinstein? Vote For Joe Biden

Here, Shatner shares his formative influences on his path, and the lessons learned that informed a great career that shows no signs of slowing. That started when he was a young actor who played a small part and understudied Christopher Plummer in Henry V . When The Sound of Music star turned up ailing, Shatner stepped in and crushed the role and learned a lesson that sustained him: it is best to succeed or fail on your own terms. That includes a moment on a real rocket ship when, following a pre-launch announcement there was an “anomaly” in the engine, panic set in as he wondered whether he should get off. Only to remember that was not an option, not for Captain Kirk.

Must Read Stories

Gosling, damon, hamm, rudd & more crash kristen wiig’s 5-timers club party.

‘Monkey Man’ Seeing $10M, ‘First Omen’ $8M; ‘Godzilla’ No. 1 Again

‘quiet on set’ filmmakers on docuseries response, episode 5 & toxic kids tv, ‘mamma mia’ turning 25 on west end & producer’s greta gerwig wish.

Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.

Read More About:

Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

Barbara baldavin, actress on ‘star trek’ and ‘medical center,’ dies at 85.

She later was involved in casting on such series as ‘Dynasty,’ ‘Matt Houston’ and ‘Trapper John, M.D.’

By Mike Barnes

Mike Barnes

Senior Editor

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Email
• Show additional share options
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Pinit
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Tumblr
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Print
• Share this article on Comment

Barbara Baldavin, who appeared on three episodes of the original Star Trek and recurred on Medical Center before working in the casting department on shows including Dynasty and Trapper John, M.D. , has died. She was 85.

Baldavin died Sunday of congestive heart failure at her home in Manhattan Beach, her son Marc D’Agosta told The Hollywood Reporter .

Related Stories

David barrington holt, former head of jim henson's creature shop in l.a., dies at 78, cole brings plenty, '1923' actor, found dead at 27 after being reported missing.

She then returned as Lt. Lisa, a communications officer and court reporter, on the series finale, “Turnabout Intruder,” which aired in June 1969.

Baldavin played Nurse Holmby on 51 episodes during the last six seasons (1970-76) of CBS’ Medical Center , starring Chad Everett and James Daly. She had appeared as another character on the first season.

In the 1980s, she worked in the casting departments of shows including Hagen — Everett’s series follow-up to Medical Center — Square Pegs , Matt Houston , Dynasty , Finder of Lost Loves and Trapper John, M.D.

A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Baldavin started acting while attending El Camino College in Torrance, California, and she studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute.

She also showed up on episodes of Rawhide , The Fugitive , Insight , Columbo , Mannix , Adam-12 , Toma , The F.B.I. , McMillan & Wife , Bronk , Baretta , Barnaby Jones , Charlie’s Angels , Fantasy Island , Vega$ and more.

Baldavin worked as an instructor at Dawn Wells ‘ Film Actor’s Boot Camp. She and the late Gilligan’s Island star were great friends and shared a birthdate: Oct. 18, 1938.

Survivors include another son, Joseph, and her grandchildren, Casandra and Justine. Her former husband was Joseph D’Agosta, who served as casting director on Star Trek and other Desilu series.

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Chris wallace condemns world central kitchen deaths amid israel-hamas war, jenifer lewis says she couldn’t remember how to walk after serengeti fall, mexico’s platino awards reveal roster of performers, jonathan glazer’s controversial oscars speech backed by group of jewish creatives, stars take to social media after rare earthquake hits new york area, bob slutske, tech expert who helped pave the way for hollywood’s computer-digital age, dies at 81.

William Shatner to appear at SC Comicon in Greenville. Tickets, parking, cosplay info.

Cosplayers unite ― this weekend is the time to break your favorite costumes out of the closet.

SC Comicon prides itself as "the annual celebration of all things geek." It is the state's largest comic and pop-culture convention. The family-friendly event has something for fans of all ages, hosting the likes of top comic creators and celebrity guests. At the Artist Alley, guests can visit vendors who sell artwork, like local favorite Pencil Portraits by Mel Rivera . There will also be collectibles and toys.

If you are a cosplayer, rock your best costume and meet other cosplayers who share your love of all things anime, Marvel, Star Wars and video games. At this event, you are surely bound to run into Darth Vader and his army storming the Convention premises.

William Shatner, the 93-year-old star of the original "Star Trek" TV series and movies will be at the convention Saturday and Sunday until 1 p.m. for professional photographs starting at $120. No selfies will be allowed.

Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher of DC, Kate Flannery, who is known for her role as Meredith Palmer from NBC's "The Office," and Lou Diamond Phillips, known for his roles in "La Bamba," "Young Guns," and "Stand and Deliver" will also be making appearances.

The event will run on Saturday, April 6 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 7 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Greenville Convention Center, located at 1 Exposition Drive.

Where to purchase tickets, pricing

∎ Saturday: $30

∎ Sunday: $25

∎ 2 Day: $40

Kids 12 and under can attend the event for free. To purchase tickets and learn more info regarding special package pricing, visit here .

What to know about parking

Parking tickets are $5. To avoid the parking payment line, purchase tickets online in advance. Prepaid parking is only valid on the date on which it was purchased. Re-entry is not allowed. To purchase tickets and read parking instructions, click on this link .

What special guests will be at the event?

∎ Amber Lee Connors

∎ Ashley Eckstein

∎ Brody King

∎ Danhausen

∎ Ian Sinclair

∎ James Arnold Taylor

∎ Jason Faunt

∎ John Rhys-Davies

∎ Justin Briner

∎ Kate Flannery

∎ Lou Diamond Phillips

∎ Luci Christian

∎ Nakia Burrise

∎ Sonny Strait

∎ William Shatner

Visit here for a complete list of guests.

This year's panel schedule (Saturday only)

∎ 11:30 a.m.: Dungeons and Dragons Improv with Villain Support

∎ 12:30 p.m.: Clone Wars panel with Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor

∎ 1:30 p.m.: Kate Flannery Q&A panel

∎ 2:30 p.m.: SC Comicon's 10-Year Celebration with Rob Young (Learn how it started, how we got here, and where we are going)

∎ 3:30 p.m.: One Piece Panel with Luci Christian, Amber Lee Connors, Ian Sinclair and Sonny Strait

∎ 4:30 p.m.: Comic Book Writing with Jim Shooter and Michael Watkins

Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at [email protected]

• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• Science Fiction

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Buy new: $14.72 $14.72 FREE delivery: Friday, April 12 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon. Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Aldaspan

Return this item for free.

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Buy used: $7.87

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Other Sellers on Amazon

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Star Trek: Avenger Hardcover – May 1, 1997

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Print length 370 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Pocket Books
• Publication date May 1, 1997
• Dimensions 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
• ISBN-10 0671551329
• ISBN-13 978-0671551322
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may deliver to you quickly

Editorial Reviews

From library journal, from the publisher.

Full of high adventure and powerful drama, Star Trek: Avenger is an engrossing new Star Trek epic--and a moving tale of past memories and new hope that only William Shatner could tell.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pocket Books; First Edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0671551329
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671551322
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.18 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
• #24,241 in Science Fiction Adventures

About the author

William shatner.

William Shatner has cultivated a career spanning over 50 years as an award-winning actor, director, producer, writer, recording artist, and horseman. He is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures and a major philanthropist.

His accomplishments in television, film, and stage would take a great deal of time and more space than allotted here.

In 1966, Shatner originated the role of “Captain James T. Kirk” in the television series Star Trek. The series spawned a feature film franchise where Shatner returned as Captain Kirk in seven of the Star Trek movies, one of which he directed.

Shatner played the title role in the hit television series T.J. Hooker before hosting television’s first reality-based series, Rescue 911.

He won Emmys and his first Golden Globe for his portrayal of eccentric lawyer “Denny Crane” on both The Practice and Boston Legal. He received four more Emmy nominations as well as other Golden Globe and SAG Award nods.

Shatner's Raw Nerve, which aired on Bio, was his own edgy, celebrity interview series. Each episode showcased Shatner getting to know his guest on an intensely personal level, touching upon subjects not normally visited on other talk shows. Guests have discussed topics such as addiction, grief, childhood, marriage, combat and parenthood.

Mr. Shatner was cast in the NBC hit show Better Late Than Never in the late Summer 2016 and that show will be returning with a second season in 2017.

His love of music inspired him to record the critically acclaimed album Has Been. The Milwaukee Ballet performed “Common People,” a dance presentation set to several numbers from the record; the event and its preparations are featured in the documentary Gonzo Ballet, which played to sold out houses at film festivals worldwide.

Shatner’s musical project, Ponder The Mystery, with lyrics by William Shatner and music by Billy Sherwood was released October 2013. It followed the well-received, space-inspired album Seeking Major Tom, which featured songs by U2, Frank Sinatra, Queen and Pink Floyd and was released in October 2011.

Off the screen and broadcast waves, Shatner has authored nearly 30 best-sellers in both the fiction and non-fiction genres. His autobiography, Up Till Now, was a New York Times best-seller and was followed by Shatner Rules which was released in October 2011. William Shatner’s book, Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man, was released in February 2016 appearing on the NY Times Bestseller list. William Shatner’s newest book, Spirit of the Horse: A Celebration in Fact and Fable, will be released in May 2017.

In April 2011, Shatner launched his hugely popular one-man show, Shatner’s World in Australia and New Zealand, followed by tours in Canada and over 50 cities in the United States. The show is currently touring again in the United States and abroad.

Shatner has been successful in another area — horse breeding. A longtime dedicated breeder of American Quarter horses, he has had enormous success with the American Saddlebred, developing and riding world champions and has won numerous world championships in several equine events. His passions for horses and philanthropy were united when he started the Hollywood Charity Horse Show (http://www.HorseShow.org), which benefits Los Angeles-based children’s charities.

Shatner continues to act, write, produce and direct while still making time to work with charities and further his passion in equestrian sports. He and his wife, Elizabeth and three married daughters live in Los Angeles.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Start Selling with Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices