William Shatner, originally from Canada, rose to fame as the iconic Captain Kirk in the Star Trek series. Since launching his Hollywood career in the 1950s, he’s been involved in more than 250 projects, with new ones constantly in the works, proving his enduring presence in the entertainment world.
However, Shatner’s impressive net worth isn’t solely the result of his acting career. He’s also found financial success as a producer, director, and author. Beyond that, his work in music, appearances at conventions, and book sales all contribute to his wealth. Read on to explore Shatner’s journey and the key milestones that have shaped his career and financial achievements.
William Shatner Net Worth 2024: Estimated at $100 Million
- Born: March 22, 1931
- Age: 91 years
- Net Worth: Around $100 Million
- Height: 5’9″ (1.77 meters)
- Profession: Actor, Musician, Writer, Spokesperson, Director, Producer, Voice Artist, Singer
- Nationality: Canadian
William Shatner’s net worth is thought to be approximately $100 million. He’s most famous for bringing the legendary Captain James T. Kirk to life in the Star Trek series.
Beyond Star Trek, Shatner has had prominent roles in several successful TV shows, including T.J. Hooker, The Practice, and Boston Legal. His career spans decades and covers a wide range of entertainment roles, contributing to his impressive wealth.
Did William Shatner Really Make $600 Million from Priceline?
There has been much speculation surrounding the claim that William Shatner earned $600 million from his role as the face of Priceline.com.
Shatner became the “Priceline Negotiator” in 1997, appearing in a series of commercials for the emerging online travel platform. This was during the rapid growth of the internet era, when companies like Priceline were attracting enormous valuations following their IPOs. It’s said that Shatner chose to take stock options as payment, rather than a cash salary, betting on Priceline’s long-term success.
When Shatner opted for stock instead of cash, it seemed like a savvy choice, but the dot-com bubble burst soon after, and Priceline’s stock took a massive dive. By 2000, the shares were worth just $1.80 each. Fast forward ten years, and Shatner was still the face of Priceline, which had made an incredible comeback. The stock had skyrocketed to over $300 per share, a dramatic turnaround that no one had predicted.
For years, gossip spread through magazines and websites, claiming that William Shatner held onto his Priceline stock throughout the decade after the market crash. This sparked speculation that his shares might now be valued at over $600 million.
William Shatner has repeatedly shot down the rumors, most famously during a chat with Howard Stern. He also took to Twitter to set the record straight, writing:
“Some idiot made up a story about me earning $600M. It’s not true. Now all these relatives are crawling out of the woodwork. Too bad it’s all a fantasy.”
William Shatner’s Home
For years, Shatner has called a beautiful 4,016-square-foot home in Studio City, California, his own. The property boasts four bedrooms and four bathrooms, offering plenty of space for him to unwind and enjoy life.
William Shatner’s Earnings
William Shatner reportedly earned $150,000 per episode for his roles in various TV series.
William Shatner Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2024) | $100 Million |
| Children | Yes (Melanie Shatner, Leslie Carol Shatner, Elizabeth Shatner) |
| Weight | 85 kg (187 lbs) |
| Height | 1.77 meters (5’9″) |
| Place of Birth | Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Canada |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Shatner (married 2001), Nerine Kidd (1997-1999), Marcy Lafferty (1973-1996), Gloria Rand (1956-1969) |
| Gender | Male |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Date of Birth | March 22, 1931 |
| Occupation | Canadian Actor, Author, Producer, Director, Screenwriter, and Singer |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Full Name | William Shatner OC |
| Dating/Girlfriend | Not Applicable |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Age | 91 years |
William Shatner’s Professional Journey
After college, William Shatner worked as a business manager for a Montreal theater and trained as a Shakespearean actor at the Canadian National Repertory Theatre. In 1954, he joined the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and appeared as Ranger Bob on The Howdy Doody Show. His film debut came in 1958 with The Brothers Karamazov, and he also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Presents in the episode “The Glass Eye.”
William Shatner’s career truly took off when he was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, a role he played from 1966 to 1969. He later returned to the iconic character in 1973, lending his voice to the animated Star Trek series.
Though the original show was canceled, Star Trek found a new life in the 1970s through reruns, gaining a devoted fanbase and turning Captain Kirk into a pop culture legend. Shatner embraced this newfound fame, frequently appearing at Star Trek conventions, where he continued to engage with fans and celebrate the franchise’s lasting impact.
In the 1980s, William Shatner took on the lead role in the crime drama T.J. Hooker, which ran from 1982 to 1986. Around the same time, he reprised his beloved Captain Kirk character for five Star Trek films. Shatner’s creative reach expanded as he delved into directing, helming several episodes of T.J. Hooker and taking charge of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, further cementing his versatility in Hollywood.
In 2000, William Shatner made a memorable appearance in the comedy Miss Congeniality, starring opposite Sandra Bullock. He returned to the role in the 2004 follow-up, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, further cementing his place in pop culture.
Shatner’s career took another notable turn when David E. Kelley cast him as the flamboyant attorney Denny Crane in The Practice. The character became so beloved that Shatner continued to play him on Boston Legal, staying with the series until it wrapped up in 2008.
William Shatner Spouse
William Shatner has walked down the aisle four times. His first wife was Canadian actress Gloria Rand, whom he married in August 1956. Together, they had three daughters: Leslie (1958), Lisabeth (1960), and Melanie (1964). However, their marriage ended during the filming of the original Star Trek series, with Shatner and Rand officially divorcing in March 1969.
William Shatner’s second marriage was to Marcy Lafferty, and the couple stayed together for over two decades, from 1973 to 1996.
His third marriage was to Nerine Kidd in 1997, with a significant age gap—Shatner was 66, and Nerine was 38. Sadly, their relationship took a tragic turn on August 9, 1999, when Shatner came home to find Nerine’s lifeless body in their swimming pool. An autopsy revealed the presence of alcohol and Valium, and her death was ultimately ruled as an accidental drowning.
In 2001, Shatner married Elizabeth Anderson Martin. However, after being together for nearly two decades, the marriage ended in 2019 when Shatner filed for divorce.
William Shatner’s Major Accomplishments
In June 2011, William Shatner was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from McGill University in recognition of his remarkable achievements. Later, in May 2018, the New England Institute of Technology followed suit, bestowing upon him another honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
Shatner has amassed a significant fortune throughout his diverse career, which spans acting, writing, directing, and producing. His talent and hard work have earned him a variety of prestigious awards over the years. Though the full list is extensive, some of the standout honors include:
- Golden Raspberry Award
- Saturn Award
- Prism Award
- Emmy Award
- Golden Globe Award
- Streamy Award
Shatner’s collection of accolades speaks to his outstanding versatility and ability to excel in both writing and acting. His contributions to the entertainment industry have been nothing short of exceptional, cementing his place as a true icon.
