Even on the cusp of turning 92, William Shatner doesn’t seem too interested in slowing down. He is, however, considering his legacy and what he can leave behind.
In a new interview with Variety, William Shatner discussed why he chose to be the subject of the documentary You Can Call Me Bill, which will premiere at this year’s SXSW, and what he hopes to leave behind for the next generation.
“I’ve turned down a lot of offers to do documentaries before,” he said. “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.” The “I don’t have long to live” statement may feel rather grim, but William Shatner doesn’t seem to be announcing any shattering news about his health. But as a nonagenarian, Shatner does have some considerations to make as to how he’ll be spending the rest of his life.
William Shatner reflected on the meaning of legacy, recalling a speech he once gave where he said, in part, “People ask about a legacy. There’s no legacy. Statues are torn down. Graveyards are ransacked. Headstones are knocked over. No one remembers anyone…But what does live on are good deeds. If you do a good deed, it reverberates to the end of time. It’s the butterfly effect thing. That’s why I have done this film.” Despite the sentiments, Shatner might still have some self-reflecting to do, as he has spent some of his 90s already continuing a bitter feud with some of his former Star Trek co-stars.
Still, William Shatner has kept busy with self-promotion, projects and a little travel…space travel, that is. In 2021, Shatner became the oldest person to ever fly in space, an experience that left him utterly bewildered. That is almost the opposite of what most of us will be doing when we hit 90.
What do you think William Shatner’s legacy will be? What is your favorite Shatner movie or TV performance? Let us know in the comments section below!