Actor William Shatner rose to prominence with the role of James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. Over the years, Shatner has gained unparalleled popularity because of the role and remains a fan-favorite member of the first Star Trek television series’ cast. However, despite the fame from the series, Shatner faced some personal struggles after it ended.
During an interview, Shatner shed light on how his acting career turned out after the conclusion of the original series. The actor highlighted some of his struggles during this time, which might surprise fans given the popularity of the sci-fi franchise and Shatner’s role in it. Here is what Shatner had to say about his post-Star Trek career and personal struggles during this period.
Star Trek Star William Shatner Reveals Living In a Truck After the Series Ended
William Shatner started his acting career during the 1950s and appeared in several films and television shows well into the 60s. However, Shatner’s major breakthrough as an actor came in 1966 when he was cast as Captain James T. Kirk for Star Trek: The Original Series. Shatner spent three seasons on the show before it was ultimately canceled.
In an interview with Details Magazine, Shatner spoke about his struggles after the sci-fi series concluded. Shatner revealed that he found work as an actor hard to come by. As a result, he had to work in a traveling theater company while also going through a divorce with his first wife.
I had three kids and was totally broke. I managed to find work back east on the straw-hat circuit—summer stock—but couldn’t afford hotels, so I lived out of the back of my truck, under a hard shell.
Shatner made the above statement (via TrekMovie), explaining his dire financial situation at the time. The actor revealed that while working for a summer stock theater in the straw hat circuit, he had to live out of a pickup truck. Shatner admitted to traveling from theater to theater and living in a truck to make ends meet during a difficult period as a professional actor.
William Shatner Was Disappointed Over Not Being Asked to Return For the Star Trek Reboot
Despite facing struggles after the conclusion of the original series, Shatner returned to his most iconic role first in 1973 for Star Trek: The Animated Series. Shatner later reprised the role of Captain Kirk in the series of live-action films that served as a continuation of Star Trek: The Original Series.
However, Shatner was not asked to reprise the role for the J. J. Abrams-helmed 2009 reboot of the films. In the same interview, Shatner also spoke about not returning for the reboot and expressed disappointment over the same. He said:
I’m disappointed. I’m not outraged, but I think it’s a stupid business decision, a stupid box-office decision.
Shatner further added that he had spoken with director Abrams several times in the build-up to the film. However, it was decided that original series co-star Leonard Nimoy would appear in the reboot while Shatner did not. Shatner explained that he felt that he was still popular with the franchise’s fans and felt it was a poor business decision to leave him out of the reboot.
The Star Trek shows and films are streaming on Paramount+.
