PEOPLE & HISTORY

What did William Shatner say about Chris Pine's portrayal of Captain Kirk?

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William Shatner praised Chris Pine's portrayal of Captain Kirk, reaffirming his support for the actor in the role.

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Shatner's Age95 years old as of March 22, 2026
Recent Public AppearanceAppeared at Calgary Expo on April 24, 2026, signing autographs and discussing his career with fans
Original RolePlayed Captain James Kirk in the original Star Trek series starting in 1966
Current ProjectsPartnering with LifeWave on short films with fellow Star Trek stars Jeri Ryan and Jonathan Frakes
Health StatusShatner states he feels 'energized' and 'focused' at 95, maintains a healthy lifestyle without smoking or drinking

Shatner's Praise for Chris Pine

According to recent headlines from April 29, 2026, William Shatner has publicly reaffirmed his support for Chris Pine's portrayal of Captain Kirk and praised Pine's performance in the role. Multiple sources confirm Shatner's positive stance on how Pine has taken on the iconic character.

Shatner's Perspective on Star Trek's Legacy

At 95, Shatner reflected on his nearly 60 years with Star Trek, shifting from jokes about being solely responsible for the show's success to crediting the entire ensemble. He emphasized that the series tells human stories set 400 years in the future where humankind persists, with futuristic technology and idealistic outcomes where nobody dies and everybody's happy.

Recent Public Appearances and Activities

Shatner made a rare public appearance at the Calgary Expo on April 24, 2026, where he shared stories with fans about his time on set, including pranks involving co-star Leonard Nimoy and anecdotes from the 2016 reality show 'Better Late Than Never.' He continues to work actively despite his age, recently partnering with LifeWave on new short film projects.

Shatner's Views on Aging and Legacy

Shatner expressed that turning 95 feels surreal to him, stating he doesn't feel his age. He attributes this to leading a healthy lifestyle and remains focused on his work. He has also shared philosophical perspectives, suggesting that death may be the final frontier and that quantum physics offers hope that human energy persists beyond mortality.

Sources

  1. William Shatner Shares Surprising Take on Turning 95 (eonline.com)
  2. Star Trek icon William Shatner, 95, makes rare public appearance after brain cancer reports (hellomagazine.com)
  3. Famed Canadian actor William Shatner recalls co-star hijinks in discussion with fans (thestar.com)