William Shatner Reveals He Never Earned A Single Dollar From ‘Star Trek’ Reruns

For nearly six decades, Star Trek has remained one of television’s most beloved franchises, inspiring generations with its vision of the future. Yet, despite the show’s cultural impact, William Shatner revealed he never earned a penny from its reruns. The actor, now 94, explained that syndication wasn’t part of his original contract, so he never received residuals.

Shatner starred as Capt. James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek from 1966 to 1969, a role that turned him into a pop culture icon. The series ended after just three seasons, but reruns transformed it into a worldwide phenomenon. According to Fox News, unions later secured residual fees for actors. That change came too late for Shatner, who missed out on syndication earnings. Fans who assumed he profited from the reruns may be surprised by his candid admission.

Shatner On The Legacy Of Star Trek

William Shatner often reminds fans that projects made before 1973, including the original series, never paid royalties. While he returned as Kirk in several films, he rarely watches the episodes that made him famous. “I don’t like to look at myself,” he told Entertainment Tonight. He also said he has never seen the franchise’s spinoffs.

Even with that distance, his life remains closely tied to Star Trek. Fans continue to celebrate his work, and he credits their devotion for keeping the series alive long after cancellation. Though he doesn’t consider himself a viewer, Shatner recognizes the franchise’s cultural importance and how it still shapes science fiction and even technology.

Would Shatner Return as Captain Kirk?

For decades, fans have asked if Shatner might play Kirk again. In a 2024 interview, he admitted it was “almost impossible,” but he left the door open. He explained he would only return for a meaningful story, not just a cameo. That small possibility continues to excite longtime viewers.

His honesty about television contracts also adds perspective to the history of Star Trek. While he never earned residuals from reruns, Shatner remains the face of the series. His story shows how television’s rules changed over time and how one actor’s role defined a franchise for generations.