Childhood and Education Journey of William Shatner in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of William Shatner, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

William Shatner is a Canadian actor renowned for his portrayal of James T. Kirk, the captain of the starship Enterprise, in the Star Trek franchise. His career spans seven decades, beginning with the original Star Trek television series in 1966 and concluding with his final appearance as Kirk in the film Star Trek Generations (1994). Shatner's role as Captain Kirk has cemented his place as a cultural icon.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1905: Birth of Ann Garmaise

In 1905, Ann Garmaise, William Shatner's mother, was born.

1928: Birth of Joy Rutenberg

In 1928, Joy Rutenberg, William Shatner's older sister, was born.

March 22, 1931: William Shatner's Birth

On March 22, 1931, William Shatner was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

1940: Birth of Farla Cohen

In 1940, Farla Cohen, William Shatner's younger sister, was born.

1952: Graduated from McGill University

In 1952, William Shatner graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the McGill University Faculty of Management in Montreal.

August 12, 1956: Marriage to Gloria Rand

On August 12, 1956, William Shatner married Canadian actress Gloria Rand (née Rabinowitz).

1958: Birth of Daughter Leslie Shatner

In 1958, William Shatner and Gloria Rand had their first daughter, Leslie.

1961: Birth of Daughter Lisabeth Shatner

In 1961, William Shatner and Gloria Rand had their second daughter, Lisabeth.

1964: Birth of Daughter Melanie Shatner

In 1964, William Shatner and Gloria Rand had their third daughter, Melanie.

1967: Death of Joseph Shatner

In 1967, Joseph Shatner, William Shatner's father, passed away.

1967: Shatner experiences pyrotechnical accident

In 1967, William Shatner believes his tinnitus was triggered by a pyrotechnical accident during the shooting of the Star Trek episode "Arena".

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March 1969: Divorce from Gloria Rand

In March 1969, William Shatner divorced his first wife, Gloria Rand, after leaving her during the filming of Star Trek: The Original Series.

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1969: Career struggles after Star Trek cancellation

In 1969, following the cancellation of Star Trek, William Shatner experienced career difficulties and financial hardship, including a period of living in a truck-bed camper.

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1973: Marriage to Marcy Lafferty

In 1973, William Shatner married Marcy Lafferty, daughter of television producer Perry Lafferty.

1987: Shatner King of Mardi Gras

In 1987, William Shatner was king of the Mardi Gras Bacchus parade.

1992: Death of Ann Shatner

In 1992, Ann (Garmaise) Shatner, William Shatner's mother, passed away.

1994: Shatner Grand Marshal of Tournament of Roses Parade

On New Year's Day in 1994, William Shatner served as the Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, riding on horseback instead of in a car. He also participated in the coin toss at the Rose Bowl game.

1996: Divorce from Marcy Lafferty

In 1996, William Shatner divorced Marcy Lafferty, ending his longest marriage, which lasted from 1973.

1997: Marriage to Nerine Kidd Against Advice

In 1997, William Shatner married Nerine Kidd, against the advice of many, with Leonard Nimoy serving as his best man. The marriage was marked by Nerine's struggle with alcoholism.

1997: Marriage to Nerine Kidd

In 1997, William Shatner married Nerine Kidd.

August 9, 1999: Death of Nerine Kidd Shatner

On August 9, 1999, William Shatner found his third wife, Nerine Kidd, deceased in their swimming pool. Her death was ruled as accidental drowning, with alcohol and diazepam found in her blood.

1999: Heather Locklear comforts Shatner after Nerine's death

In 1999, after the death of Nerine Shatner, Heather Locklear provided comfort to William Shatner during his bereavement, showing the depth of their friendship.

2000: Plans for 'The Shiva Club'

In 2000, it was reported that William Shatner planned to write and direct 'The Shiva Club', a dark comedy inspired by the grieving process after his wife's death.

2001: Marriage to Elizabeth Anderson Martin

In 2001, William Shatner married Elizabeth Anderson Martin.

2004: Release of 'What Have You Done'

In 2004, William Shatner's album 'Has Been' included a spoken word piece, "What Have You Done", expressing his anguish upon discovering his wife Nerine's body.

2008: Disclosure of Leonard Nimoy's attempt to help Nerine Kidd

In his 2008 autobiography, William Shatner revealed Leonard Nimoy's efforts to help Nerine Kidd with her alcoholism.

Up Till Now: The Autobiography

Check it on Amazon

February 28, 2010: Shatner speaks at Winter Olympics closing ceremony

On February 28, 2010, William Shatner was a speaker at the closing ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

2011: Honorary Doctorate from McGill University

In 2011, McGill University awarded William Shatner an honorary Doctorate of Letters.

2014: Shatner Grand Marshal of Calgary Stampede

In 2014, William Shatner was the Grand Marshal at the 102nd Calgary Stampede parade in Canada.

2016: Revelation of Estrangement from Leonard Nimoy

In 2016, William Shatner revealed that he and Leonard Nimoy had not spoken to each other in the five years prior to Nimoy's death the year before, despite their long friendship.

May 2018: Honorary Doctorate from New England Institute of Technology

In May 2018, William Shatner was granted an honorary Doctorate of Letters by the New England Institute of Technology.

2019: Filed for divorce

In 2019, William Shatner filed for divorce from Elizabeth Anderson Martin.

2019: Shatner wins world championship

In 2019, William Shatner won a world championship with his Standardbred road horse Track Star at the Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show in Louisville.

January 2020: Finalization of Divorce from Elizabeth Anderson Martin

In January 2020, William Shatner's divorce from Elizabeth Anderson Martin was finalized.

2020: Shatner uses cannabidiol oil

In 2020, William Shatner revealed that he suffers from swollen joints and age-related aches and pains, and treats his discomfort with cannabidiol oil, a dietary supplement extracted from cannabis.

March 2021: Senior Moment Film Release

In March 2021, William Shatner starred in the film "Senior Moment", released on the week of his 90th birthday.

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July 2021: Wally Funk's Blue Origin Flight

In July 2021, Wally Funk flew on Blue Origin's first crewed spaceflight at the age of 82.

October 13, 2021: Spaceflight with Blue Origin

On October 13, 2021, William Shatner participated in Blue Origin's NS-18 sub-orbital human spaceflight, traveling on the RSS First Step. At 90 years old, he became the oldest person to fly into space, experiencing the overview effect.

2021: Shatner flew into space aboard Blue Origin NS-18

In 2021, at age 90, William Shatner flew into space aboard Blue Origin NS-18, becoming the oldest person to do so and experiencing the overview effect.

February 24, 2022: Support for Ukraine

On February 24, 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, William Shatner issued a statement supporting the Ukrainian resistance.

December 4, 2022: Shatner beams down to L.A. Comic Con

On December 4, 2022, William Shatner made a guest appearance at the L.A. Comic Con.

2023: Spiner says Shatner's Twitter account managed by employee

In 2023, Brent Spiner stated that William Shatner had told him his Twitter (now X) account was managed by an employee, and Shatner had minimal direct involvement in the account's content.

2023: Death of Joy Rutenberg

In 2023, Joy Rutenberg, William Shatner's older sister, passed away.

May 19, 2024: Ed Dwight Surpasses Shatner as Oldest Person in Space

On May 19, 2024, Ed Dwight, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot, surpassed William Shatner's record to become the oldest person to fly into space, at the age of 90 years, 253 days.