When it comes to science fiction icons, few names resonate across generations quite like William Shatner’s Captain James T. Kirk. From the first time he took the helm of the USS Enterprise in 1966, Shatner’s portrayal of Kirk set the standard for leadership, bravado, and a touch of swagger in the Star Trek universe. Now, nearly six decades later, Shatner’s legacy continues to spark debate, nostalgia, and even a bit of controversy—not just about the fate of his character, but about the realities of show business behind the scenes.
Star Trek’s original run may have only lasted three seasons, from 1966 to 1969, but its impact on pop culture has been nothing short of galactic. According to NewsNation, the series aired a total of 79 episodes and, after its cancellation, found new life in syndication. But for Shatner, syndication wasn’t the windfall fans might imagine. In a candid 2025 interview with The Telegraph, Shatner revealed, “Nobody knew about re-runs. The concept of syndication only came in after Star Trek was canceled when someone from the unions said: ‘Wait a minute, you’re replaying all those films, those shows.’”
He went on to explain that while unions eventually secured residual fees after a strike, he personally didn’t benefit. “But in the end, the unions secured residual fees shortly after Star Trek finished, so I didn’t benefit,” Shatner told The Telegraph. Despite the show’s enduring popularity and constant presence on television screens for decades, the actor didn’t see a dime from those reruns. He reiterated this point on social media as far back as 2020, clarifying, “Anything before 1973 (that includes the original Star Trek series) doesn’t pay a cent in royalties. So please don’t think you own me or I owe you something for watching. It doesn’t work like that.”
During Star Trek’s original run, Shatner was paid well—at least by the standards of the late 1960s. However, as he shared with The Telegraph, it wasn’t enough to shield him from financial hardship. “By the standards of Hollywood, not very well—and with a dissolving marriage, with three children, I was broke at that point,” he admitted. Financial security only came much later, “from the 1970s onward.”
Despite these early struggles, Shatner’s career flourished. He reprised his role as Captain Kirk in seven feature films, culminating in the 1994 release of Star Trek: Generations. The movie, which earned $118 million at the box office according to Box Office Mojo, marked a pivotal moment in the franchise’s history. It brought together the original crew and the cast of The Next Generation, but it also delivered a controversial blow to fans: the death of Captain Kirk.
Shatner’s feelings about Kirk’s demise were complicated. As reported by FandomWire, he felt he had little say in the matter. “Well, I didn’t think I had any choice in the matter. Paramount had decided that the ceiling that they could reach in our box office had been reached, and they thought that by putting in the Next Generation cast, they would reach a higher box office. That decision had been made. It was either I was going to appear and die, or they were going to say he died. So, I chose the more practical of the two.”
While the final cut gave Kirk a heroic send-off—sacrificing himself on Veridian II to save the Enterprise from the villain Soran and the Nexus—the original script was even grimmer. Writers Brannon Braga and Ronald D. Moore initially envisioned a scenario where both Enterprise crews would face off in a spaceship battle, ending with Kirk dying on his own bridge. According to Slash Film, Moore recalled, “I think Ron and I envisioned the two Enterprises kinda locked in battle. Somehow they would meet, but [then] they would get together and fight the bad guy, and Kirk would go down on his bridge, instead of a bridge falling on him.” Shatner, for his part, was not keen on either version but considered the filmed ending the lesser of two evils.
Since Kirk’s fateful exit, the character has been recast twice: Chris Pine took up the mantle in J.J. Abrams’ rebooted film series, while Paul Wesley brings Kirk to life in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Still, for many, Shatner’s Kirk remains the definitive version—his blend of swashbuckling charm and moral conviction etched into the DNA of the franchise.
Star Trek’s ability to reinvent itself is part of its enduring appeal. Just look at the celebrations that continue to bring fans together. The franchise marked its 59th anniversary on September 8, 2025, as noted by Parade, with “Star Trek Day” commemorating the original show’s premiere. Meanwhile, First Contact—the film widely regarded as the best of the The Next Generation movies—spawned its own tradition: “First Contact Day,” celebrated every April 5. This annual event, inspired by the film’s depiction of humanity’s first encounter with aliens (and based on writer Ronald D. Moore’s son’s birthday), is marked by virtual conventions, special announcements, and a flurry of fan activity.
As for Shatner himself, retirement is nowhere on his radar. At 94, he’s as busy as ever, juggling projects that range from a new holiday-set comedy/drama series called Family Tree—which he co-created with Tom Bergeron and is set to begin production in 2026—to a forthcoming album with Brad Paisley, tentatively titled What I Have Loved. He’s also got a book in the works and his one-man Broadway show is now available electronically, according to NewsNation. “No, I don’t recognize the concept [of retirement],” he quipped to The Telegraph.
Even the possibility of another return to Star Trek isn’t entirely off the table, though Shatner has sent mixed signals. In May 2024, he joked to the New York Post that he’d need “an injection of speed or something” to reprise Kirk. But by February 2025, speaking at Fan Expo Vancouver, he revealed he’d been in talks with a Paramount+ writer about the idea. “I have been asked to come back as Kirk so many times. If Kirk is going to come back, it has to mean something. It has to be the show. But I was so impressed by this writer, so I said, ‘Let’s talk after I’m done in Vancouver.’ So I’m awaiting a pitch to make the show; it should come on Monday or Tuesday.” As of now, though, no updates have surfaced.
For fans eager to revisit Shatner’s adventures—or discover them anew—the entire Star Trek franchise, including the original 1966 series and all subsequent films and spin-offs, is streaming on Paramount+ as of September 2025. Star Trek: Generations and First Contact are just a click away, ready to transport viewers to the final frontier once more.
Nearly sixty years after he first donned the gold tunic, William Shatner’s Captain Kirk remains a touchstone for generations of Star Trek fans. Through triumphs and setbacks, on-screen heroics and real-world struggles, the man and the character are inextricably linked—a testament to the enduring power of bold storytelling and the human spirit’s refusal to fade quietly into history.
