William Shatner Turns 95: Star Trek Free Streaming Event

On March 22, 2026, one of Hollywood's most enduring legends reaches a remarkable milestone: William Shatner turns 95 years old. The man who boldly took the USS Enterprise into the final frontier has had a career spanning more than seven decades, and the tributes are pouring in from fans and streaming services alike. Pluto TV is marking the occasion with a full day of free Star Trek content — making today the perfect time to revisit the legacy of the actor, adventurer, and cultural icon who became Captain Kirk.

William Shatner at 95: A Birthday Worth Celebrating

Born on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, William Shatner has defied every expectation that comes with age. At 95, he remains one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment history, a status few actors ever achieve. Fans and media outlets worldwide are celebrating the milestone, reflecting on a life that has taken him from the stages of Montreal to the stars of Hollywood — and, remarkably, to actual outer space.

His longevity is more than biological. Shatner has stayed culturally relevant through sheer force of personality, reinventing himself across generations. When asked about his staying power, his philosophy is characteristically blunt. Shatner has offered candid life advice that reflects a man who refuses to slow down or dwell on the passage of time.

"Careers are here and they're gone. No matter how great we think we are, we're nothing but the temples of Ozymandias — we're ruins in the making." — William Shatner, via Economic Times

How to Watch: Pluto TV's Free Star Trek Streaming Event

If you want to celebrate Shatner's 95th birthday in the best possible way, Pluto TV has you covered — and it won't cost you a cent. Pluto TV is streaming all Star Trek feature films for free on its The Motion Pictures Channel throughout the day on March 22, 2026.

Here's what's available today:

• All 13 Star Trek feature films streaming on Pluto TV's The Motion Pictures Channel
• A full-day Star Trek: The Original Series marathon airing on Pluto TV's dedicated Star Trek channel
• The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner (2006) airing at 10 p.m. ET on Pluto TV's Funny AF channel
• All three seasons of The Original Series available on demand on Pluto TV

Whether you want to start from the beginning with the 1966 television series or jump straight to the cinematic adventures — from Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) through Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and beyond — today is the day to do it. The Roast, meanwhile, offers a hilarious look at how Hollywood views its own legends.

From Montreal to the Stars: William Shatner's Early Career

Before he became synonymous with space exploration, William Shatner built his craft the hard way. After growing up in Montreal, he made his way to the American television scene in the late 1950s, earning guest roles on some of the era's most prestigious dramatic programs.

His early resume reads like a who's who of classic television:

• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957–1960) — multiple appearances in the master of suspense's anthology series
• The Twilight Zone (1960–1963) — memorable performances in Rod Serling's groundbreaking sci-fi anthology
• For the People (1965) — starred as assistant district attorney David Koster in this legal drama

These roles established Shatner as a reliable, versatile dramatic actor — exactly the kind of performer that Gene Roddenberry would seek when casting a new science fiction series set aboard a starship.

Captain Kirk and the Star Trek Legacy

In 1966, William Shatner landed the role that would define him forever: Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series. The show ran from 1966 to 1969, and while it was cancelled after just three seasons due to low ratings, its afterlife in syndication turned it into one of the most influential television programs ever made.

Kirk's blend of bold leadership, moral conviction, and occasional swagger resonated with audiences in ways the network never anticipated. Shatner's performance — at times intense, at others deliberately theatrical — became iconic precisely because it was so distinctly human in the face of an alien universe.

The franchise didn't stop with the television series. Shatner reprised the role across a string of major motion pictures:

• Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) — the theatrical comeback that launched the film franchise
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) — widely regarded as the best film in the series
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) — Shatner continued the journey with the core crew

In 1973, he also voiced Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Animated Series, bridging the original show's run to its cinematic revival. All told, Shatner has portrayed Kirk across multiple decades and formats, cementing the character as one of science fiction's defining figures.

The Real-Life Space Voyage: Shatner Goes to Orbit

For most actors, playing an astronaut is the closest they'll ever get to space. William Shatner took it a step further. In 2024, at the age of 90, Shatner traveled to outer space — making him one of the oldest people ever to do so. His life in photos documents this extraordinary journey from Star Trek icon to real-life astronaut, a story that feels almost too cinematic to be true.

The voyage was a full-circle moment that captured the world's imagination. The man who had spent years pretending to explore the cosmos finally got to experience a glimpse of it for real — and he emerged from the experience with characteristically unfiltered reflections on the fragility of Earth and the vastness of space.

It was a reminder that Shatner has never been content simply to rest on his laurels. Even at an age when most people have long retired, he was strapping himself into a rocket and reaching for the sky.

A Life Beyond Kirk: Personal Milestones and Cultural Impact

William Shatner's personal life has been as eventful as his professional one. He married his first wife, actress Gloria Rand, in August 1956. After their divorce, he married Marcy Lafferty in 1973; that marriage ended in 1996. His life has seen both extraordinary highs and personal difficulties, all of which have shaped the reflective, philosophically-minded public figure he has become.

Beyond Star Trek, his cultural footprint extends into comedy, music, spoken-word albums, autobiography, and even a successful run on Boston Legal, for which he won Emmy and Golden Globe awards. He has proven time and again that he is far more than a one-role wonder.

With more than seven decades in the entertainment industry, Shatner's longevity is a testament to adaptability, persistence, and an almost stubborn refusal to disappear from the spotlight.

Frequently Asked Questions About William Shatner

How old is William Shatner in 2026?

William Shatner turns 95 years old on March 22, 2026. He was born on March 22, 1931, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Where can I stream Star Trek for free on William Shatner's birthday?

Pluto TV is hosting a free Star Trek streaming event on March 22, 2026, including all 13 Star Trek feature films on The Motion Pictures Channel, a full-day Original Series marathon, and the Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner at 10 p.m. ET on the Funny AF channel. All three seasons of The Original Series are also available on demand.

Did William Shatner actually go to space?

Yes. In 2024, at the age of 90, William Shatner traveled to outer space, making him one of the oldest people to have done so. The trip was a remarkable real-life echo of his fictional role as Captain Kirk aboard the starship Enterprise.

What was William Shatner's first big television role?

Before Star Trek, Shatner appeared on Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957–1960) and The Twilight Zone (1960–1963), building a reputation as a versatile dramatic actor. He landed the role of Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966.

How many Star Trek films did William Shatner appear in?

William Shatner appeared in seven of the Star Trek feature films as Captain Kirk, beginning with Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979. All 13 Star Trek films — spanning both the original and newer casts — are currently available to stream for free on Pluto TV.

Conclusion: 95 Years of an Irreplaceable Icon

William Shatner's 95th birthday is more than a personal milestone — it's an occasion for the entire entertainment world to reflect on what an extraordinary career looks like. From early television appearances in the 1950s to a real spaceflight in 2024, Shatner has lived a life that most people could only dream about. His portrayal of Captain Kirk gave science fiction its most enduring hero, and his decades of work beyond that role proved he was never just a one-character story.

Today, Pluto TV's free streaming event gives fans both old and new the perfect opportunity to experience that legacy firsthand. Whether you're revisiting the classic episodes for the hundredth time or introducing a new generation to the final frontier, March 22, 2026, is a fitting day to celebrate the man who helped make us all believe that space — and the human spirit — truly has no limits.

Happy birthday, Captain.