Is there an end to the ways in which William Shatner can reinvent himself? His fans - this one especially - hopes not! Whether as an actor, author or entrepreneur, Shatner never fails to entertain. He's become a cultural icon as much for his starring roles in hit after hit - in "Star Trek," "T.J. Hooker" and "Boston Legal" - as he has for his long-running stint as Priceline.com's ultimate negotiator. All that speaks volumes about the man. After all, how many other eighty-something entertainers are still working so regularly?
The big question circling the original Captain Kirk these days is whether he'll appear in the latest "Star Trek" film, the third of the successful franchise reboot. It's timed to drop with the show's 50th anniversary in 2016 - a celebration that's sure to be subdued due to the passing of Shatner's life-long friend and co-star, Leonard Nimoy, in March. That was just after this interview took place.
In addition to Star Trek-related projects, the ever-youthful former action hero has launched a motorcycle company called Rivet Motors, has set a crowd-funded book project, "Catch Me Up," into motion, and continues to perform across the country in his sold-out one-man show, "Shatner's World." He's even found a way to turn his home renovation into a reality show, "The Shatner Project," for DIY Network. Given all that, HNGN and I were lucky he get a few minutes of his time.
HNGN: You've done so much throughout your career - is there still something you want to do?
Shatner: I never feel that it's enough. When I see the award shows, like they are coming on now, and I've gotten all those awards and I think, "Wow, wouldn't it be neat if I could do it again?" So I'm still filled with that hunger. It's as though it never happened and I'm waiting for lightning to strike. I wrote a song for an album that I had about, "When do you know that you're successful?" ...and in my opinion, you never know.
Totally subjective I guess?
Yes, of course. My feeling is that if you think you're successful, you really aren't. I'm filled with all the emotions of a young actor - the rages, the ambitions, the juices of being a young actor, which I'm not.
What drives you then? What makes you tick?
Well, if I knew that, I'd probably stop ticking. Does anybody ever know what makes him tick? It's one of those mysteries. You can come up with your mother and your father, but after a while, you run out of excuses.
For some people, money is the driving force. What about for you?
Maybe not money, per se, but there's the future generations that might need the money. You know, that sort of thing.
What about any particular role you'd like to play or director you'd like to work with?
I'd like to work with all the great directors we read about. And I'd love to play a guy about 25.
What do you fear the most?
Dying.
The biggest challenge for you in life or your career?
The biggest challenge would be trying to act wise.
On the "Catch Me Up" website, there's information about helping people over 50 achieve their goals and reinventing yourself by starting over. Do you still feel like you're continually starting over and having to reinvent yourself?
I don't understand the word reinvent. A lot of people use it. You take the role and you make it work and people think you're reinventing yourself when you're actually just doing what's expected.
I remember first meeting you in Toronto years ago when you were directing an episode of "Kung Fu, The Legend Continues." We, along with our dates, went to a carnival where you were game to go on all the rides! You have this incredible childlike enthusiasm, energy and sense of adventure. Where does that come from?
A lack of maturity.
Do you feel there are any misconceptions about you?
I don't know what their conception is. But I'm sure it's immaculate. [laughs]
Do you have a specific philosophy in life that carries you through or perhaps a certain mission you feel you were supposed to accomplish in your life?
No. The humbling part of what I think is that we are born, we live and we die - and that's it. So you might as well try and do something with the brief moments you are on earth.
So you don't believe there's a higher power guiding you along in life?
No, I wish I did.
When it comes to making choices in life, do you go by gut feelings or do you go through some sort of process?
I think there's a chord of moral behavior, reasonable behavior, however you might characterize it, deep inside us, and if we can listen to that chord, decisions fall in line in harmony.
Is there anyone - past or present - you wish you could converse with?
Innumerable people. Mostly dealing with science or religion.
As a child, was there something else you dreamed of doing for a career?
No, I've never wanted to do anything else. I've never done anything else.
What relaxes you?
I'm into horses a lot.
Yes, your wonderful foundation, Hollywood Charity Horse Show!
That too, but I'm really a competitive rider in three disciplines.
You've been riding since...?
Middle age! It's an expensive proposition, and I never had the money to do it before that. I've been riding for 30 years maybe. I put in my 10,000 hours, but they were late in life.
Was there any particular funny, embarrassing or unusual moment doing your one-man show "Shatner's World?" that you'd like to share?
I just did a performance in Kansas, and I was in the middle of something and somebody yelled out "bullshit!" I was talking about horses and a particular horse, and they said, "bullshit!" It was a training method I was expounding on and I responded "Not bullshit - horseshit." Got an audience laugh.
It's been said that you have kissed - perhaps - thousands of women in your career. Is there one particular kiss that's stayed with you?
The lingering moisture of my wife's mouth.
If you could encapsulate your life in one word, what would it be?
Unknowable.
If you could say anything as an adult to your little kid self, what would you say?
Be brave.
What would you teach him about mistakes?
It's the only way you learn.
If life were a box of chocolates, what type of chocolate would you be?
Chewy center.
Is there any particular question interviewers never ask that you always wish they did?
The box of chocolates one goes well.
Thank you so much, Bill. Hope to bump into you again sometime soon.
With a full body slam! [laughs]
Marina Anderson is an established actress, published author ("David Carradine: The Eye Of My Tornado"), publicist, personal manager (The Media Hound PR) and freelance writer specializing in entertainment. She was wife and personal manager to David Carradine, and responsible for resurrecting his career, which culminated in the Tarantino film, Kill Bill. Her diverse roles include starring and supporting roles in television shows, features films, webisodes and national commercials such as "The Mentalist," "Dexter," "Law & Order LA," "Seinfeld" and more. Learn more at www.MarinaAnderson.net or www.IMDB.com. Marina's passion is helping animals and she is an advocate for domestic and wildlife protection. Look for her next book (for children), "Adventures of Lulu the Collie," which stars her beloved dog, Lulu, daughter of Lassie VIII. Contact Marina at ourwebemail@gmail.com, follow her on Twitter at @flyinggoddess or visit her website.
