William Shatner’s net worth, age, children, spouse, going to space, career

William Shatner’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million as of 2025, making him one of the wealthiest actors to emerge from classic television. His income sources include acting, voice work, directing, book deals, endorsements, and even a lucrative Priceline.com stock deal that significantly boosted his fortune.

Key takeaways

• William Shatner rose to fame as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek.
• Shatner is not just an actor—he's a successful author, spoken-word performer, and even a musician.
• Despite being in the public eye for over six decades, Shatner has remained relevant by continually evolving with new roles, media appearances, and fan engagements.
• Shatner has been married multiple times and has three daughters.
• In 2021, at the age of 90, Shatner became the oldest person to travel to space with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.

William Shatner's profile summary

William Shatner’s net worth

As of 2025, William Shatner's net worth is estimated to be approximately $100 million. This wealth has been amassed through his multifaceted career as an actor, author, producer, director, and singer.

Additionally, Shatner has been involved in various endorsement deals and business ventures. Notably, his association with Priceline.com garnered attention, although reports of him earning $600 million from this deal have been debunked; he did, however, profit from his involvement with the company.

William Shatner's biography

William Shatner's age is 94 years in 2025 since his birthday was 22nd March 1931. The actor was born in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) neighbourhood of Montréal, Québec, Canada.

William Shatner's family

His parents, Ann (elocutionist) and Joseph Shatner (clothing manufacturer), were Jewish conservatives. Additionally, William had two sisters, Farla and Joy A.

The actor's grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Ukraine and Lithuania. However, William's paternal grandfather, Wolf Schattner, changed the family name to Shatner.

William Shatner's education

William studied at Willingdon Elementary School. He later joined West Hill High School and then transferred to Baron Byng High School in Québec.

At age eight, William began acting at the Montreal Children's Theatre and participated in the CBC's radio programs. In 1952, the actor graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Economics and Commerce degree from Montreal's McGill University.

William Shatner's height and weight

Most sources indicate that he stands approximately 5 feet 9½ inches (177 cm) tall and weighs around 82 kilograms (181 pounds). As he aged, his weight varied, reflecting the natural changes that come with time.

Career

Shatner began his acting journey in Canadian radio and television, gaining experience in various productions. His early film roles included appearances in The Brothers Karamazov (1958) and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). He also guest-starred in numerous American TV series, such as The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits.

Breakthrough with Star Trek (1966–1969)

In 1966, Shatner was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in the science fiction television series Star Trek. Although the show initially had modest ratings and was cancelled after three seasons, it gained a cult following in syndication, solidifying Shatner's status as a cultural icon. He reprised his role as Kirk in several Star Trek films, including Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982).

Television Success and Diverse Roles (1980s–1990s)

Beyond Star Trek, Shatner starred in the police drama T.J. Hooker (1982–1986) and hosted the reality-based series Rescue 911 (1989–1996). He also appeared in various films and television shows, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

In 1954, he performed at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, and landed the Ranger Bob role on NBC's The Canadian Howdy Doody Show.

The actor has worked on more than fifty projects. Some of his other films and TV shows include:

• Star Trek Memories
• Star Trek series
• Samuel Lord Series
• The TekWar series
• War series
• Judgment at Nuremberg
• Kingdom of the Spiders
• Get a Life!, with Chris Kreski
• The Explosive Generation
• Quest for Tomorrow series

Critical Acclaim with Boston Legal (2004–2008)

Shatner's portrayal of attorney Denny Crane in The Practice and its spin-off, Boston Legal, earned him two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. His performance was praised for its depth and comedic timing, further cementing his legacy in television history.

Other Endeavours and Recent Activities

In addition to acting, Shatner has pursued music, releasing several albums that blend spoken word and music. He has also authored numerous books, ranging from science fiction novels to autobiographies. In 2021, at the age of 90, Shatner became the oldest person to travel to space, participating in a suborbital flight with Blue Origin.

William Shatner's awards and honours

He received honorary doctorates from McGill University in 2011 and the New England Institute of Technology in 2018. William Shatner's WWE Hall of Fame induction happened on 6th April 2021.

His other awards include:

• Officer of the Order of Canada's appointment (2019)
• Voice Arts Icon Award (2015)
• Canada's Walk of Fame Star (2000)
• The Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1983)
• NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal (2014)
• Governor General's Performing Arts Award (2011 )
• Television Hall of Fame induction (class of 2006)
• Streamy Award for Best Reality Web Series (2009)
• Prism Award (2009)
• Golden Globe Award (2005)
• Emmy Award (2004 & 2005)
• Two Golden Raspberry Awards (1990)
• Saturn Award (1980 & 1983)

Who is William Shatner's wife?

Canadian actress Gloria Rand is the mother of William Shatner's children. The couple divorced in March 1969.

The actor married producer Perry Lafferty's daughter, Marcy Lafferty, in 1973 and quit the marriage in 1996. He and Nerine Kidd tied the knot in 1997, and she died on 9th August 1999 at age 40. He found her body in the swimming pool.

The coroner established that she had drowned by accident after the autopsy detected alcohol and Valium in her blood. The actor married Elizabeth Anderson Martin in 2001 but got a divorce in 2020.

Shatner established a Friendly House NGO for female alcoholics and drug addicts. Nerine's death also inspired him to write The Shiva Club dark comedy, and the What Have You Done song in 2004.

Does William Shatner have any children?

Yes, William Shatner has three daughters from his first marriage to Canadian actress Gloria Rand, which lasted from 1956 to 1969:

• Leslie Carol Shatner (born 1958): She appeared as a child in a 1966 episode of Star Trek and later pursued a career in occupational therapy. Leslie is also a mother of two, making Shatner a grandfather.
• Lisabeth Shatner (born 1961): She had brief acting roles, including an appearance in Star Trek, but later found her passion in writing and sculpture.
• Melanie Shatner (born August 1, 1964): An actress known for her role in the Subspecies film series, Melanie is married to actor Joel Gretsch, and they have two daughters.

Is Kaley Cuoco William Shatner's daughter?

The American actress is neither his daughter nor a Shatner family relative. Her parents are Layne Ann Wingate (mother) and Gary Carmine Cuoco (father).

William Shatner's grandchildren

Shatner told The Guardian in 2014 that he had five grandchildren. Leslie and her spouse, Gordon T Walker, have two sons, Grant and Eric. Meanwhile, Melanie and hubby Joel Gretsch have two daughters, Kaya and Willow Gretsch.

The public does not know Lisabeth and Andy Clement's parenthood status. What illness does William Shatner have? In 2016, doctors misdiagnosed him with prostate cancer.

Who is the richest Star Trek actor?

As of 2025, William Shatner holds the title of the richest actor from the Star Trek franchise. His wealth stems from a prolific career that includes his iconic role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series, as well as successful ventures in television (T.J. Hooker, Boston Legal), film, music, and endorsements.

Does William Shatner have a private jet?

William Shatner does not own a private jet, but he has used them for work, including during the filming of The Captains, when Bombardier provided a Global Express jet. He is also a licensed private pilot and was honoured with an aviation award in 2023.

Does William Shatner still get royalties from Star Trek?

William Shatner does not receive royalties from Star Trek: The Original Series. He has publicly stated that he earns no residuals for any Star Trek content produced before 1973, including the original series that aired from 1966 to 1969.

This is because residual payments for television reruns were not standard practice at the time. It wasn't until after 1973 that royalty agreements became more common in the industry, leaving Shatner and his co-stars without compensation for the show's syndication success.

Is William Shatner a billionaire?

No, William Shatner is not a billionaire. While some sources suggest his net worth could be as high as he remains well below billionaire status.

William Shatner's health

As of May 2025, William Shatner is 94 and still active, attending events and doing charity work. He was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma but underwent treatment and has since shared his story to raise awareness.

He also lives with tinnitus from a 1967 on-set accident. Despite health challenges, he remains positive and engaged. He noted,

“That was really scary, “I was told by a doctor I had a terminal disease. That I was going to die. “I had been taking testosterone supplements and suddenly it was a 10 and I thought ‘that’s the end of the world!’ I gulped as I have been so lucky and fortunate in terms of health, but suddenly my luck had turned.”

Trivia

• At 90, he became the oldest person in space via Blue Origin.
• He doesn’t get royalties from Star Trek: The Original Series.
• Shatner has released spoken-word music albums.
• He’s a champion horse breeder and rider.
• After Star Trek, he once lived in a truck due to financial issues.
• He’s written many novels and autobiographies.
• He directed Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

William Shatner's net worth is proof of his hard work. Making $100 million and staying at the top of the US film industry for over 50 years is a tremendous achievement. His unmatched success has seen him to the stars and back.

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Source: Briefly News