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William Shatner: a long and prosperous career

By Charles Apple The Spokesman-Review

The movie and TV actor, author, singer, documentary maker and one of the most visible icons from 1960s pop culture — as Capt. James T. Kirk on “Star Trek” — appeared Friday, May 17, at the FICA. Here's a look at his career.

1954

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TV Appearance: "Howdy Doody Show"

Plays Ranger Bob on Canadian version of show.

1955

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1956

1957

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1958

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Movie Appearance: “THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV”

First feature role. Star of the movie: Yul Brynner.

1959

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1960

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TV Appearance: “THE TWILIGHT ZONE”

Appears as an obsessed diner customer.

1961

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Movie Appearance: “JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG”

1962

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Movie Appearance: “THE INTRUDER”

1963

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TV Appearance: “THE TWILIGHT ZONE”

Makes a second memorable appearance in the anthology show — this time, as a delusional airplane passenger

1964

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1965

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Star Trek 1966-1969

Takes on the role that will make him famous. The show lasts only three seasons.

1966

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Movie Appearance: "INCUBUS"

1967

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1968

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Movie Appearance: “WHITE COMANCHE”

Musical Performance: “THE TRANSFORMED MAN”

First album, consists mostly of spoken music lyrics

1969

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1970

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1971

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1972

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Star Trek: The Animated Series 1973-1974

Reprises his Kirk role for Saturday morning TV

1973

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1974

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Movie Appearance: "BIG BAD MAMA"

Barbary Coast 1975-1976

1975

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1976

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1977

    • tv
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Movie Appearance: “Kingdom of the Spiders”

1978

    • tv
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TV Appearance: “Rocket Man”

Performs Elton John song on national TV.

1979

    • tv
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Movie Appearance: “Star Trek: The Motion Picture”

Revival of the “Star Trek” franchise.

1980

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Movie Appearance: “Kidnapping of the President”

1981

TJ Hooker 1982-1986

1982

    • tv
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Movie Appearance: "Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan"

1983

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1984

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Movie Appearance: "Star Trek III: the Search for Spock"

1985

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1986

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TV Appearance: "Saturday Night Live"

Pokes fun at “Star Trek” fans with his “get a life” sketch

Movie Appearance: "Star Trek IV: the Voyage Home"

1987

1988

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Rescue 911 1989-1996

1989

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Movie Appearance: "Star Trek V: the Final Frontier"

Book Published: "TekWar"

Would be followed by eight sequel books and a TV series

1990

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1991

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Movie Appearance: "Star Trek VI: the Undiscovered Country"

1992

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1993

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Book Published: "Star Trek Memories"

1994

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Movie Appearance: "Star Trek Generations"

Kirk is killed off after 28 years.

Book Published: "Star Trek Movie Memories"

1995

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1996

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The Practice 1997-2004

Wins an Emmy Award playing ethically challenged lawyer Denny Crane.

1997

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TV Commercial: Priceline Negotiator (1997-2012)

Plays an over-the-top agent in series of ads for Priceline.com

1998

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Movie Appearance: "Free Enterprise"

1999

    • TV
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Book Published: "Get a Life!"

2000

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TV Appearance: "Third Rock From the Sun"

Recurring guest role.

Movie Appearance: "Miss Congeniality"

2001

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Movie Appearance: "Osmosis Jones"

2002

    • TV
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2003

    • TV
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Boston Legal 2004-2008

Wins another Emmy Award in the spinoff of "The Practice."

2004

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Musical Performance: "Has Been"

Album with Ben Folds.

2005

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2006

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Fun Fact:

Sells a kidney stone for $25,000 to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

2007

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2008

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Book Published: "Up Till Now: the Autobiography"

Fun Fact:

Launches a Twitter feed. Currently has 2.5 million followers.

2009

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Movie Appearance: "Fanboys"

$#*! My Dad Says 2010-2011

2010

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2011

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    • Music

Book Published: "Shatner Rules"

2012

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2013

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TV Appearance: the Academy Awards

Makes a surprise appearance as Capt. Kirk

2014

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2015

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2016

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Book Published: "Leonard: My Fifty Year Friendship With a Remarkable Man"

2017

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2018

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Book Published: "Live Long and... What I Might Have Learned Along the Way"

Musical Performance: "Shatner Claus"

His Christmas album.

2019

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