How much is William Shatner worth?
| Net Worth: | $100 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional Actor |
| Date of Birth: | March 22, 1931 |
| Country: | Canada |
| Height: | 1.77 m |
About William Shatner
William Shatner’s job as a Priceline travel agent has made him a common fixture in American homes. Shatner has a remarkable 50-year record that includes his roles as a Shakespearean actor, sci-fi novelist, Emmy winner, and, of course, the captain of the USS Enterprise. Don’t be fooled by his killer salesman chops though.
From his Captain Kirk days on Star Trek to his current stardom! No matter what William Shatner says, according to my father, we’re listening.
theatrical initiation
His parents, Joseph, a clothes manufacturer, and Anne, a homemaker, welcomed William Alan Shatner into the world on March 22, 1931 in Montreal, Quebec. However, the young William chose not to emulate his father. He started performing when he was six at a summer camp. William’s love of acting persisted, but his father’s disapproval of the industry drove him to McGill University, where he majored in economics.
When William started acting on CBS Radio, he took time away from his studies and continued to refine his skill. Once he started managing a playhouse after graduating, he was able to combine his business acumen with performing skills.
Shatner eventually joined the Canadian National Repertory Theatre in Ottawa, though, as his passion for the stage took over. He then went on to perform Shakespeare at the Stratford Festival before making his Broadway debut in 1956.
Medium Success
William received his big break in 1958 when he played in MGM’s The Brothers Karamazov after making appearances in a number of Broadway productions and securing a few tiny parts on various TV shows. Following his performance, Shatner landed TV roles on The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Outlaws, and Thriller. However, the absence of significant film roles left Shatner dejected.
He appeared in movies that were ultimately given bad reviews in the 1960s, which gave him the reputation of being a reliable but forgettable actor who could be hired on the cheap.
When he was given the chance of a lifetime to play Captain Kirk on the science fiction series Star Trek, in 1966, Shatner’s luck appeared to be turning around.
Unfortunately, the show only ran for three seasons, and William through a difficult period in the early 1970s. He struggled to find employment and supported his family by appearing on game shows and ads.
mainstream renown
However, when Star Trek went into syndication and the blockbuster movie Star Wars took over the box office, Shatner instantly rose to fame and amassed a devoted fan base known as “Trekkies.” After the 1979 release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, William returned to play Kirk in six more movies until the 1994 release of Star Trek Generations, in which his character passed away. During his tenure on Star Trek, Shatner had no issue finding employment, and following Kirk’s passing, he continued to keep busy by making appearances in movies like Trekkies, Galaxy Quest, Miss Congeniality, and Dodgeball.
He received acclaim from 2004 to 2008 for his depiction of Denny Crane on Boston Legal, which won William an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
In 2010, Shatner won the main role in $#*! My Dad Says, which was critically criticized and canceled midway through its first season. It wasn’t long before Shatner was back on television.
Shatner has achieved success as a spokesperson in addition to his acting career, most notably for the online travel agency Priceline. According to estimates, William has made more than $600 million from his work as a hotel salesman. He has also written several Star Trek books and recorded a number of songs that have received harsh criticism.
Family Matters and Individual Tragedy
Shatner wed Gloria Rand as his first wife in 1956; the couple had three kids before being divorced in 1969. William fell in love again when he married the actress Marcy Lafferty in 1973. However, they also separated in the mid-1990s. When William tried marriage once again with model Nerine Kidd in 1997, it appeared like the third time would be the charm. However, their union was tragically ended when she drowned at the age of 40 in the couple’s swimming pool. Both alcohol and Valium were discovered in Kidd’s system following her death. She had battled an alcohol problem for years. William personally located his wife’s body and has discussed the tragedy in public.
Elizabeth Martin, William’s fourth and current wife, is a horse trainer. Before the couple’s 2001 wedding, Martin and William, who had both experienced widowhood, became friends due to their shared passion for horses.
“People view life with some sardonic humor, or with tragic consequences. I’m on the far side of the irony of life.”
