William Shatner: a long and prosperous career
By Charles Apple The Spokesman-Review
The movie and TV actor, author, singer, documentary maker and one of the most visible icons from 1960s pop culture — as Capt. James T. Kirk on “Star Trek” — appeared Friday, May 17, at the FICA. Here's a look at his career.
1954
TV Appearance: "Howdy Doody Show"
Plays Ranger Bob on Canadian version of show.
1955
1956
1957
1958
Movie Appearance: “THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV”
First feature role. Star of the movie: Yul Brynner.
1959
1960
TV Appearance: “THE TWILIGHT ZONE”
Appears as an obsessed diner customer.
1961
Movie Appearance: “JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG”
1962
Movie Appearance: “THE INTRUDER”
1963
TV Appearance: “THE TWILIGHT ZONE”
Makes a second memorable appearance in the anthology show — this time, as a delusional airplane passenger
1964
1965
Star Trek 1966-1969
Takes on the role that will make him famous. The show lasts only three seasons.
1966
Movie Appearance: "INCUBUS"
1967
1968
Movie Appearance: “WHITE COMANCHE”
Musical Performance: “THE TRANSFORMED MAN”
First album, consists mostly of spoken music lyrics
1969
1970
1971
1972
Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973-1974
Reprises his Kirk role for Saturday morning TV
1973
1974
Movie Appearance: "BIG BAD MAMA"
Barbary Coast 1975-1976
1975
1976
1977
Movie Appearance: “Kingdom of the Spiders”
1978
TV Appearance: “Rocket Man”
Performs Elton John song on national TV.
1979
Movie Appearance: “Star Trek: The Motion Picture”
Revival of the “Star Trek” franchise.
1980
Movie Appearance: “Kidnapping of the President”
1981
TJ Hooker 1982-1986
1982
Movie Appearance: "Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan"
1983
1984
Movie Appearance: "Star Trek III: the Search for Spock"
1985
1986
TV Appearance: "Saturday Night Live"
Pokes fun at “Star Trek” fans with his “get a life” sketch
Movie Appearance: "Star Trek IV: the Voyage Home"
1987
1988
Rescue 911 1989-1996
1989
Movie Appearance: "Star Trek V: the Final Frontier"
Book Published: "TekWar"
Would be followed by eight sequel books and a TV series
1990
1991
Movie Appearance: "Star Trek VI: the Undiscovered Country"
1992
1993
Book Published: "Star Trek Memories"
1994
Movie Appearance: "Star Trek Generations"
Kirk is killed off after 28 years.
Book Published: "Star Trek Movie Memories"
1995
1996
The Practice 1997-2004
Wins an Emmy Award playing ethically challenged lawyer Denny Crane.
1997
TV Commercial: Priceline Negotiator (1997-2012)
Plays an over-the-top agent in series of ads for Priceline.com
1998
Movie Appearance: "Free Enterprise"
1999
Book Published: "Get a Life!"
2000
TV Appearance: "Third Rock From the Sun"
Recurring guest role.
Movie Appearance: "Miss Congeniality"
2001
Movie Appearance: "Osmosis Jones"
2002
2003
Boston Legal 2004-2008
Wins another Emmy Award in the spinoff of "The Practice."
2004
Musical Performance: "Has Been"
Album with Ben Folds.
2005
2006
Fun Fact:
Sells a kidney stone for $25,000 to benefit Habitat for Humanity.
2007
2008
Book Published: "Up Till Now: the Autobiography"
Fun Fact:
Launches a Twitter feed. Currently has 2.5 million followers.
2009
Movie Appearance: "Fanboys"
$#*! My Dad Says 2010-2011
2010
2011
Book Published: "Shatner Rules"
2012
2013
TV Appearance: the Academy Awards
Makes a surprise appearance as Capt. Kirk
2014
2015
2016
Book Published: "Leonard: My Fifty Year Friendship With a Remarkable Man"
2017
2018
Book Published: "Live Long and... What I Might Have Learned Along the Way"
Musical Performance: "Shatner Claus"
His Christmas album.