William Shatner Blasts Bitter Star Trek Co-Stars
William Shatner says he has lost patience with his former Star Trek co-stars.
William Shatner has spoken out about several feuds with his Star Trek co-stars, telling The Times UK he began to understand that they were doing it for publicity. “Sixty years after some incident they are still on that track. Don’t you think that’s a little weird?” he told the publication. Likening the behavior to a sickness, the 91-year-old described his former cast mates as bitter and embittered. “I have run out of patience with them. Why give credence to people consumed by envy and hate?” he added.
He also writes about his falling out with the Star Trek cast in his new book, Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe. Detailing the breakdown of each relationship, he says he drifted apart from Spock actor Leonard Nimoy and was horrified to learn that Nichelle Nichols (who played Lieutenant Uhura) said he came across as cold and arrogant. But William Shatner saved his most pointed comments for George Takei, who portrayed Sulu in the franchise.
When Takei called the 91-year-old an unfit guinea pig following his trip to space with Jeff Bezos, William Shatner said his former co-star needed to stop smearing his name. While he’s no longer close with Takei, the actor said the Star Trek television series continues to endure thanks to healthy friendships and good stories. “Here’s a group of people you get to love going on an adventure that harkens back to things that happen on Earth,” he explained.
He added that the futuristic stories his Star Trek series told were also just human stories with a twist. That’s what made the show so popular and was part of what fans loved about the characters. Although William Shatner doesn’t watch any episodes in the franchise regularly, he does enjoy participating in fan events. “I enjoy the conventions when I am on stage fielding questions,” he told the publication.
The actor went on to explain that his hour-long Q&A sessions often turn into a mutual distribution of information, which is something he really enjoys. “The fans are interesting, it’s part of the reason why I go,” William Shatner said. The two-time Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner first starred as Captain Kirk from 1966 to 1969. He later voiced the character in Star Trek: The Animated Series from 1973 to 1974.
His first film in the Star Trek franchise was 1979’s Star Trek: The Motion Picture. And he later reprised his lead role in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. William Shatner’s final Star Trek film was 1994’s Star Trek Generations.
To learn more about William Shatner, his relationships, and other trivia, fans can get a copy of his book which was released in October. Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder also gives readers insight into the actor’s take on our fragile bond with nature, the interconnectivity of all things, and the joy that comes from exploration. His memoir has been described as an inspiring, revelatory, and exhilarating collection of essays.
