Canadian actor William Shatner has conquered every aspect of the entertainment industry from movies and television to books and albums. Cementing his legacy in pop culture for nearly seventy years, William Shatner net worth makes him one of the influential stars in the world.
From Canada to the U.S.S. Enterprise
As a young adult, Shatner trained as a classical Shakespearean actor at the Canadian National Repertory Theatre in Ottawa. Earning roles in Canadian productions as well as on Broadway and television roles in the United States, the actor’s uncanny presence gradually gained recognition throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
However, no one could’ve expected the turn his career would take in Hollywood. Set in space exploring various planets and alien species, Shatner was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in creator Gene Roddenberry’s series “Star Trek.” As the first science-fiction show of its kind, Shatner as the leading actor among the ensemble cast garnered legions of fans for three seasons from 1966 to 1968.
Shatner earned almost $5000 for every episode plus bonuses. Even though the saga was eventually canceled, the original cast returned for six feature films, which racked in more than $600 million at the worldwide box office. Shatner’s big break into show-business continues to be a role of a lifetime as newer generations discover the series through contemporary reboots and spin-offs.
After “Star Trek” was canceled, Shatner’s maintained work in television and movies in more than sixty roles. His other notable TV role includes Denny Crane in “The Practice” and its spin-off “Boston Legal.” In the early 90s, Shatner also portrayed an exaggerated version of himself as a spokesperson for the travel agency Priceline. He received generous stock options, of which the official worth has never been confirmed.
Outside of film and television, Shatner is also a singer and author. His first spoken-word album “The Transformed Man” was released in 1968 with subsequent albums to follow in the decades afterward. The actor has also penned books such as original science-fiction series as “TekWar” and novels set in the Star Trek universe.
William Shatner Net Worth
The star’s career began over 70 years ago and doesn’t show signs of slowing down. With royalties from previous ventures and fees for upcoming appearances, Shatner’s net worth ranges between $100 to $150 million.
