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William Shatner Biography

Birth Name:William Shatner

Birth Place:Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Writer, Director

Fast Facts

  • In 2006, he sold his kidney stone to help raise money to build a house for Habitat for Humanity
  • Graduated from McGill University and was later awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from his alma mater in 2011
  • After college, he joined the Canadian National Repertory Theatre where he trained as a classical Shakespearean actor
  • Was an understudy to Christopher Plummer during a production of "Henry V" in Canada
  • Quote: "[On his "Star Trek" character Captain Kirk] "We were basically one and the same, although Jim was just about perfect, and, of course, I am perfect․""
  • Frequently portrays characters who fight for justice, such as his roles in "Star Trek," "T․ J․ Hooker," etc
  • Well known for his clipped, dramatic narration of lines in his works
  • The mask of Michael Myers in the original "Halloween" was actually a mask of Shatner painted white
  • Is an avid horse breeder of American saddlebreds and quarter-horses
  • Had to sleep in a pick-up truck camper while acting in small parts after "Star Trek" was cancelled

Awards

  • 1974Bronze Wrangler-Fictional Television Drama: winner
  • 1978Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1980Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1983Saturn Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1985Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1987Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1990Razzie Award-Worst Actor: winner
  • 1990Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
  • 1990Razzie Award-Worst Director: winner
  • 1995Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1996Gemini-Best Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1999Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1999Stinker Award-Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or its End Credits: winner
  • 2001Annie-Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
  • 2001Canadian Comedy Award-Film - Pretty Funny Male Performance: nominated
  • 2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2005Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2006OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2006TV Land Award-Most Memorable Kiss: nominated
  • 2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2007TV Land Award-TV Moment That Became Headline News: nominated
  • 2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2008OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009Festival Prize-Best Feature: winner
  • 2009Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actor - Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009President's Award-: winner
  • 2009OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009Prism Award-Performance in a Drama Episode: winner
  • 2012Silver Telly-TV Program, Segment/Promotional Pieces: winner
  • 2013Canadian Screen Award-Best Performing Arts Program or Series or Arts Documentary Program or Series: nominated
  • 2016Saturn Award-Best Guest Performance in a Television Series: winner
  • 2017Canadian Screen Award-Best Performance in a Guest Role, Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 2017Summer Award-Best Animation: winner
  • 2017Los Angeles Movie Award-Best Animation: winner
  • 2019March Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2019Festival Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2019Festival Prize-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2021OFTA TV Hall of Fame-Character: winner
  • 2025Emmy-Outstanding Voice Performer in a Children's or Young Teen Program: nominated