William Shatner's net worth and how Captain Kirk turned fame into a fortune
William Shatner's net worth is estimated at $100 million as of 2025, a fortune earned over more than seven decades of acting, writing, directing, and producing. He rose to prominence in the 1960s for portraying Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series. The Canadian actor has also had starring roles in other hit shows, including Boston Legal and The Practice.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- William Shatner is a multimillionaire.
- He started acting professionally in the 1950s, performing in various theatre productions and television shows in Canada.
- Shatner gained global recognition when he was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966 to 1969).
- William Shatner is also a music artist, with his most popular project being the 2011 album Seeking Major Tom.
- The Canadian actor owns a four-bedroom, four-bathroom, 4,016-square-foot home in Los Angeles, California, and an 18-acre ranch in Three Rivers, California.
William Shatner's profile summary
Full name | William Shatner |
Gender | Male |
Date of birth | 22 March 1931 |
Age | 94 years old (as of 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Aries |
Place of birth | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Current residence | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Nationality | Canadian |
Ethnicity | Ashkenazi Jewish |
Religion | Judaism |
Hair colour | Light brown |
Eye colour | Blue |
Height in feet and inches | 5'9" |
Height in centimetres | 175 |
Weight in pounds | 187 |
Weight in kilograms | 85 |
Father | Joseph Shatner |
Mother | Anne Shatner |
Siblings | 2 |
Sexual orientation | Straight |
Marital status | Divorced |
Ex-wife | Elizabeth Shatner |
Children | 3 |
Occupation | Actor, screenwriter, director, producer, author, singer |
Net worth | $100 million |
What is William Shatner's net worth in 2025?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, William Shatner's alleged net worth is $100 million as of 2025. He has accumulated wealth from his various roles in the entertainment industry as an actor, producer, screenwriter, director, singer, and author.
William Shatner's career highlights
Shatner began acting in the 1950s, performing with the Canadian National Repertory Theatre. His early television appearances on The Twilight Zone and Playhouse 90 helped him perfect his technique and establish a reputation for his intense screen presence and distinctive voice.
Source: Original
Shatner's breakthrough came in 1966, when he was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series. Though the show initially aired for only three seasons (1966 to 1969), thanks to syndication, it became a global success.
His portrayal of the charismatic and daring starship captain garnered him a devoted fan base and solidified his place as a science fiction legend.
In 1973, the Canadian actor resumed his role as Captain Kirk in the animated Star Trek series. He went on to play Kirk in seven feature films, starting with Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and ending with Star Trek Generations (1994), in which his on-screen character passed away.
William also directed Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) and other television episodes, which helped shape the franchise's reputation.
Source: Getty Images
Beyond Star Trek, the acclaimed director expanded his creative horizons. He hosted the reality television series Rescue 911 (1989-1996), guest-starred on the detective series Columbo, and later earned two Emmy Awards for his depiction of the eccentric attorney Denny Crane on Boston Legal.
Here are more William Shatner movies and TV shows:
- Miss Congeniality (2000)
- 3rd Rock from the Sun
- The Captains (2011)
- The UnXplained
- Senior Moment (2021)
Shatner’s musical side: From spoken word to rock collaborations
Besides acting, Shatner built a distinct career as a music artist. His debut album, The Transformed Man, was released in 1968 and became popular for its dramatic spoken-word renditions of popular songs and classical works. The album initially received mixed reviews, but it eventually rose to cult status.
Over the years, the Canadian singer released several more albums, frequently partnering with pop and rock musicians.
Source: Getty Images
His most popular project was the 2011 album Seeking Major Tom, which included renditions of classic songs such as Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and David Bowie's Space Oddity. The record debuted on the Billboard charts, bringing Shatner's musical explorations to a new audience.
Shatner’s adventures in writing
William Shatner has published several books about his experiences before, during, and after his time in the Star Trek franchise. He has also co-written various novels set in the Star Trek world and a series of science fiction novels called the TekWar sequence, which was adapted for television.
Did William Shatner make $600 million off Priceline?
There is a persistent allegation that William Shatner made $600 million as the commercial pitchman for Priceline.com. According to the rumour, Shatner insisted on receiving shares rather than cash as compensation.
Source: Getty Images
However, the renowned actor has repeatedly denied the rumours, both in interviews and on social media. During an interview with Howard Stern, he stated unequivocally that the $600 million amount was far from accurate. He went ahead to make a tweet about it on X, writing:
Someone stupid said a stupid thing about me making $600M. It ain't so. Relatives are coming out of the woodwork. Too bad it never happened.
Inside William Shatner's luxurious house in Los Angeles home
Source: Instagram
William Shatner resides in a four-bedroom, four-bathroom, 4,016-square-foot home in Los Angeles, California. His estate, located in the Studio City area, boasts expansive outdoor spaces, lush gardens, and classic architecture that reflects old Hollywood flair. The home reportedly includes private stables, a spacious pool, and beautiful views of the surrounding hills.
As part of his 2020 divorce settlement with ex-wife Elizabeth Anderson Martin, the actor gave her their Belle Reve Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, and a Malibu home. He kept an 18-acre ranch in Three Rivers, California, which he purchased in 1979 with his ex-wife, Marcy Lafferty.
FAQs
- Who is William Shatner? He is a celebrated Canadian actor, screenwriter, director, producer, author, and singer.
- What is William Shatner's net worth and age? The actor, who was born on 22 March 1931, has an estimated net worth of $100 million and is 94 years old as of 2025.
- Who is the richest Star Trek actor? William Shatner is the richest Star Trek actor with an estimated net worth of $100 million.
- Does William Shatner still get Royalties from Star Trek? The actor does not earn royalties from Star Trek reruns.
- How much does William Shatner make per episode of a television show? The Canadian actor makes approximately $150,000 per episode.
- How is William Shatner's health? Shatner is in good health and active for his age, though he has lifelong tinnitus from a Star Trek mishap and has battled stage 4 melanoma, which is now in remission.
William Shatner's net worth reflects his unwavering creativity, drive, and adaptability. From humble beginnings in Canadian theatre to global recognition as Captain Kirk, the iconic actor has used every opportunity as a stepping stone for personal and financial growth.
Yen.com.gh recently published an article on Kimbal Musk's net worth and how he built a fortune beyond his brother's shadow. As Elon Musk's younger brother, most people assume the acclaimed restaurateur has built his wealth primarily from his brother's endeavours.
However, Kimbal's first substantial fortune came from Zip2, a company he co-founded with Elon and sold to Compaq for $307 million in 1999. Unlike his brother, he ventured into the food industry, founding different organisations, including The Kitchen Restaurant Group and Big Green. This piece provides more details about his wealth.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
