William Shatner, the iconic actor best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in “Star Trek,” recently opened up about some deeply personal reflections on friendship and mortality in a candid new interview.
Shatner, who has captured the hearts of “Star Trek” fans through his portrayal in the original 1960s TV series and subsequent seven movies, remains an active figure within the thriving Star Trek community, consistently engaging with fans and enthusiasts. Despite his enduring fame and success, the actor revealed some poignant truths about his personal life.
In a discussion with SFX magazine, the 93-year-old actor shared a rather somber outlook on his relationships. “I don’t have a ‘real friend’,” Shatner admitted, suggesting a lifetime of superficial relationships.
The realization of his solitude seems to weigh heavily on him as he contemplates the end of his life. “I’ve come to the conclusion that everybody is lonely,” he explained. “When you get older you think ‘My God… all those people I knew that I thought were friends are dead’.”
“I’m alone – I’m going to die alone,” Shatner said, reflecting a stark acceptance of his solitude.
He also expressed surprise that this inevitable loneliness isn’t more frequently acknowledged, labeling the general avoidance of the topic as ‘so scary.’
Shatner continued, sharing his coping mechanisms: “You ignore it, you fill it [life] with wine, women or song.” He delved into his own experiences of isolation, even in social settings like theatre companies, where he felt distant from others who indulged in nightly revelries. “I think of all the meals I ate alone… I drink an odd .beer, but the [other] actors would get drunk and be in a haze the next day.”
He reflected on his choice to remain sober and thoughtful amidst others’ escapism. “I didn’t do that – I was not with the drinking crowd, but I’d wonder ‘what are they doing? They’re drinking and laughing’, but I wasn’t ready to drop that mask of ‘I don’t care’.”
“If that’s what friendship is, I don’t want to do that – it’s a waste of my time,” he concluded on a note of disillusionment with superficial social interactions.
This introspection is not new for Shatner, as he has frequently contemplated his mortality in public. In 2023, he released a documentary titled “You Can Call Me Bill,” which offers a profound look into his life and career. Speaking to Variety about the documentary, he shared, “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 added, reflecting on the abrupt nature of death, “I’ve got grandchildren. This documentary is a way of reaching out after I die. [Death] is 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.”