What Is William Shatner Net Worth and Salary?
William Shatner has an estimated net worth of $100 million. Shatner’s wealth comes from decades of work in television, film, theater, voice acting, writing, music, and convention appearances. He is one of the most recognizable figures in science fiction and pop culture, best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise.
| William Shatner Net Worth | $100 Million |
| Date of Birth | March 22, 1931 |
| Place of Birth | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Breakthrough
Born on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Shatner began acting in the 1950s, performing in theater productions and early Canadian television shows. He studied economics at McGill University but soon pursued acting, joining the Canadian National Repertory Theatre and performing at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
His early TV work included roles such as Ranger Bob on The Canadian Howdy Doody Show and appearances on series like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and Dr. Kildare.
Star Trek
Shatner’s career-defining role came in 1966, when he was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966–1969). While the show struggled in ratings during its original broadcast, it gained a passionate following in syndication.
Shatner reprised Kirk in:
- Seven feature films (Star Trek: The Motion Picture to Star Trek Generations)
- The animated Star Trek series
- Directing Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and multiple episodes
Although he did not receive rerun royalties, Shatner leveraged his iconic role to earn income through convention appearances, charging $10,000 for travel plus $10,000 per hour with a five-hour minimum.
Television and Film Success Beyond Star Trek
After Star Trek, Shatner continued to lead hit TV series:
- T.J. Hooker (1982–1986) – police drama
- Rescue 911 (1989–1996) – reality show host
- The Practice / Boston Legal (2004–2008) – Emmy-winning performance as Denny Crane
He also appeared in films including:
- Miss Congeniality (2000) and Miss Congeniality 2 (2004)
- Wide range of roles in westerns, comedies, and thrillers
His later TV projects include Better Late Than Never (2016–2018), a reality-travel comedy showcasing his humor and charisma.
Music and Writing Ventures
Shatner developed a unique recording career, starting with The Transformed Man (1968) and later albums like Seeking Major Tom (2011), covering songs by David Bowie, Queen, and Pink Floyd.
He is also a prolific author, writing memoirs and science fiction novels that add to his income and public profile.
Convention Earnings
Shatner is a fixture at fan conventions, generating significant income. Contrary to rumors, he did not make $600 million from Priceline commercials. He has publicly denied these claims, explaining that while he did appear as the Priceline Negotiator, the stock-based compensation never generated such a windfall.
Early Life
Shatner was born to Ann and Joseph Shatner in a Jewish family. He has two sisters. His family anglicized their surname from Schattner to Shatner. He attended Willingdon Elementary School, West Hill High School, and the Montreal Children’s Theatre, later earning a Bachelor’s in Economics from McGill University in 1952.
Personal Life
Shatner has been married four times:
- Gloria Rand (1956–1969) – three daughters: Leslie, Lisabeth, Melanie
- Marcy Lafferty (1973–1996)
- Nerine Kidd (1997–1999) – tragically passed away
- Elizabeth Anderson Martin (2001–2020) – divorce finalized in 2020
He has two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, highlighting his continued relevance in entertainment.
Spaceflight
In 2021, at age 90, Shatner became the oldest person to fly into space, boarding the Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule, cementing his status as a cultural icon beyond Hollywood.
William Shatner’s Salary
Shatner reportedly earns $150,000 per episode for television roles, a figure reflecting his decades of experience and high-profile status.
Real Estate
- Studio City, CA – 4,016 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Three Rivers, CA ranch – 18 acres
- Previously owned Malibu and Kentucky properties, transferred during his 2020 divorce
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