William Shatner, a Golden Globe winner, played Star Trek’s lead character Captain Kirk in the franchise from the TV series in 1966 to the seventh Star Trek feature film, Star Trek Generations
Star Trek legend William Shatner has been rushed to hospital in an ambulance after falling ill at home.
The Hollywood legend, 94, is thought to have experienced a medical emergency involving his blood sugar levels. The actor reportedly called mergency services who dashed to his property in Los Angeles today, and paramedics took him to hospital. Shatner is now “resting comfortably” and doing “good,” sources told TMZ this morning.
Shatner, a Golden Globe winner for his role in Boston Legal, played Star Trek’s lead character Captain Kirk in the franchise from the TV series in 1966 to the seventh Star Trek feature film, Star Trek Generations, in 1994. He still has multiple acting projects in the pipeline, such as a part in upcoming TV series The Elevator.
And, following a career that has spanned more than seven decades, Shatner appears at fan events, including a panel at Dragon Con in Atlanta only last month. The father of three, born in Montreal, Canada, is also known for his work on Boston Legal, 3rd Rock from the Sun and other comedy and drama programmes.
In 2023, the actor revealed he made a documentary about his life as he “didn’t have long left to live.” He wanted to use the documentary as a way to “reach out to his grandchildren” after he dies.
“I’ve turned down a lot of offers to do documentaries before. But I don’t have long to live. Whether I keel over as I’m speaking to you or 10 years from now, my time is limited, so that’s very much a factor,” he revealed.
But he overcame health concerns then to further his work in TV and film, and reassured fans last year when they became concerned for his wellbeing again. The defiant entertainer wrote on social media: “Well today was interesting. I received a call from several friends who had read on some obscure website that in an interview i did that I admitted that I have no true friends & I will die alone.
“Wasn’t that Kirk’s schtick? Don’t confuse me with fantasy here. Although if Tom Bergeron calls me I’m absolutely going to tell him I said that! This is ridiculous. So unless you are Tom, don’t believe a word of it.”
Fans were relieved by William’s post, with one person writing: “There’s nothing like true friendship.” Another said: “Captain, you have millions of friends who would respond immediately if called upon.”