William Shatner wants us to know he’s not all ego. He’s just finished writing his autobiography, and was recently offended at being left out of the latest Star Trek movie, despite his character being dead. He knows that when he dies, it isn’t going to mean much.
“I’m not going to be remembered any more than anyone else. Maybe on the day there will be a little more fuss than, say, some guy in Poughkeepsie (New York). Fame and remembrance are so fleeting. None of us is remembered.
“Some of the great names I grew up with, five years after they were dead, no one remembered them.
“No matter what age you are, you are liable to die. But the older you get, the odds go up that it’s going to be very soon. It’s not going to be very long. But I’m having such a good time with the world that I live in, I don’t want to go anywhere.”
I actually think that William’s death will be quite a big deal. My husband is a Star Trek fan (wisely not revealed to me until after we married), and he was introduced to it by his father, and now they watch it together with my kids. Star Trek seems to be one of those shows that is going to survive across generations and genders. Who doesn’t like a bit of intergalactic travel and watching Captain Kirk mate with non-humans?
In case you think that William’s legacy is limited to Star Trek and Boston Legal, don’t forget his music career – my personal favorite being his rendition of Blur’s Pulp’s ‘Common People’, complete with lyric sheet in front of him, karaoke style. By the end of this rendition he’s positively purple in the face.
William Shatner and his wife, Elizabeth Anderson Martin, are shown at the Annual Alzheimer’s Benefit ‘A Night At Sardi’s’ on 3/5/08 thanks to WENN.
Common People is a song by Pulp, not Blur.
Thanks Ahem, I should have caught that when I read this over as I have that CD. I will fix it!
He will be remembered. Two words: Denny Crane.
What does it matter if you were remembered by millions of people that don’t even know your personality beyond the characters that you played. He’ll be remembered by family and friends, as we all will, and that is what matters. The people that we love will always hold us dear.
i love him in boston legal! and my boyfriend is a HUGE star trek fan… lol.
The man was in one of the most iconic television series ever and spawned an entire genre of television and film.
He was also one half of the first televised interracial kiss.
He will be remembered.
He’ll be remembered. Two words: CAPTAIN KIRK!!!
I go to McGill University (Montreal, QC) and one of our buildings is nicknamed the Shatner building. It is not official, the school won’t make it official because (a) he is not dead and (b)he didn’t make a donation to our university so they can’t give the building his name, but ALL students refer to this building as the Shatner building.
Live long and prosper Captain Kirk.
i think he knew people thought of him as kind of a has-been so he resurrected his career by parodying himself briliantly. he’s really funny – who knew? love me some shat!
Oh Piffle! Of course he will be remembered! TJ Hooker .. Star Trek .. the Twilight Zone episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” … Judgement at Nuremberg .. the face of Esperanto [which is a wonderful language that just never took off.. sadly!] .. to name just a few testaments to Mr. Shatner. I just think someone needed a cookie, a hug and a nap. 😀
I wanted to buy his new book, but after seeing his interview I think he was trying to drum up the fighting to sell it. I think he basically didn’t write much in there about the cast. 😆
Captain Kirk is completely wrong1 I guess he has no idea how many people absolutely love him and think he’s adorable, funny and talented! I. Love. William. Shatner! LOL! Check out his Captain Kirk parody on Family Guy! SOOOOOOO FUNNY!