Hollywood legend and sci-fi icon, William Shatner admits that he doesn't have long to live.
Willian Shatner’s acting career incredibly began over 70 years ago in a small movie called The Butler’s Night Off. From that moment on, he would lang gigs practically on a yearly basis including roles in The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, The Man from U.N.C.L.E and much more.
However, it wasn't until 1966 that Shatner landed the role of a lifetime as Captain James Kirk in the sci-fi TV series, Star Trek. Shatner’s role as Captain Kirk and his Star Trekking escapade across the universe spanned over 79 episodes until 1969 (nice).
Post Star Trek TV series, Shatner would star in the likes of Hawaii Five-O, Mission: Impossible, and The Six Million Dollar Man. While he did reprise his role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Animated Series from 1973 to 1974, he would reprise the role back in live-action form in 1979s, Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
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We would then see Shatner return as Captain Kirk in a flurry of Star Trek movies as well as TV series camos that would last further decades. Speaking of cameos, Shatner would also appear in comedy sketches for WWE, The Big Bang and Family Guy, giving him the opportunity to showcase the legendary humour that only those close to him knew.
Oh and we almost forgot to mention, William Shatner is also the oldest person to fly in space. What a life he has led.
Unfortunately, as reported by UNILAD, just shy of his 92nd birthday on 22 March, the Emmy and Golden Globes winner, has admitted to not having ‘long to live’ and that his time on planet earth is ‘limited’.
Shatner seemingly came to terms with his remaining life expectancy during a new documentary directed by Alexandre O. Philippe called You Can Call Me Bill, in which the actor shares his very candid thoughts on life and career highlights.
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Speaking on why he decided to take part in the documentary, Shatner explained: “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. I’ve got grandchildren. This documentary is a way of reaching out after I die.”
Shatner continued: “There was a time when actors, and I include myself in this, would portray death by falling to the ground and your eyes would flicker and you’d slump around and then you’re dead. That’s not how you die.
“This is how you die. See? I’m dead. Ever put a dog down? When I have to put a dog down and I’m at the vet, I cup my dog’s head and I say, ‘I’m with you baby, I’m with you.’ And the injection goes in and the dog looks at me with love, and that’s it. You don’t know they’re dead
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“That’s how you die. It’s abrupt. My wife’s brother walked out of the living room and into the bedroom. There was a thud. His wife walked in, and he was dead. Death comes anew to all of us.”
You Can Call Me Bill will premiere during SXSW 2023 which runs from Friday 10 March until Sunday 19 March.
Featured Image Credit: Paramount Pictures