"Live Long and...": What William Shatner Learned Along His Successful Career

Guest Bio: 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.

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 in 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. Currently in development are a holiday record for 2018 and a country music album for 2019.

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, Live Long And…What I Might Have Learned Along the Way, will be released in September 2018

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 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, 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 for equestrian sports. He and his wife, Elizabeth, and three married children live in Los Angeles.