In the 1994 film STAR TREK: GENERATIONS, the late Captain James T. Kirk once told fellow officer, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, that if ever he’s offered retirement or transfer? Don’t.
“Don’t let them promote you. Don’t let them transfer you. Don’t let them do anything that takes you off the bridge of that ship, because while you’re there…you can make a difference.”
While the roles from the film are reversed in real life, and the venerated Hollywood legend William Shatner now survives the late Sir Patrick Steward, he continues to take his own advice, and will be honored for a life spent making a difference by the LA Press Club at the National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards Gala on December 6th at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. There, he will receive the Los Angeles Press Club’s Legend Award for Career Achievement and Contributions to Society.
The NAEJ Awards, according to the organization, were established by the club in 2008 “to recognize and honor quality journalism in the fastest-growing segment of the modern media revolution. It remains the sole acknowledgement of its kind in the nation and has become a much anticipated celebration for those covering the Arts and Entertainment Industry and its artists.”
“Shatner is one of the most recognizable people in the world,” said LA Press Club President Danny Bakewell, Jr. “He is in a towering category all his own.”
As an actor, musician, author, horseman, philanthropist, and even real life space traveler as a passenger on Blue Origin’s suborbital flight in 2021, Shatner has enjoyed a prolific career and an extraordinary life at 95 years of age and work spanning more than 70 of those years. With fellow honorees at the event including Brandi Carlile, Pam Grier, and Madeleine Brand, Shatner will be recognized for his impact on society and his artistic achievements by members of the press and other attendees at the upcoming fundraiser gala.
The Legend Award honors an individual within the entertainment industry for their venerable contributions to the industry and to society. Shatner has done all that and more by originating the role of Captain Kirk on the original STAR TREK series, and continuing his work in subsequent movies and other media until the death of the character in 1994’s STAR TREK: GENERATIONS. He’s also well known in pop culture for his roles on the shows T.J. HOOKER, THE PRACTICE, and BOSTON LEGAL. The latter, where he portrayed eccentric lawyer Denny Crane earned him two Emmys and a Golden Globe, as well as numerous other nominations. He also hosted groundbreaking reality series RESCUE 911, and even debuted on Broadway in 2011 with his one man show SHATNER’S WORLD.
In addition to his performance accomplishments, Shatner has also released numerous albums in equally numerous genres. He even tried his hand at heavy metal this year with a performance at Chicago’s RiotFest while working on the release WHAT THE F IS HEAVY METAL? He’s also released nearly 30 books, and won numerous accolades in equestrian competition. In addition to other charitable efforts he has supported, Shatner also founded the Hollywood Charity Horse Show in 1990, which raises money for childrens’ and veterans’ charities in Southern California.
Any of these on their own would be breathtaking in terms of accomplishment, but as Shatner continues towards his own centennial, going strong despite a battle with Stage 4 melanoma and supporting his youngest daughter’s fight with Stage 4 breast cancer, the modern day Renaissance Man shows no signs of slowing down.
Liz Carlie (she/her/he/him) is a regular book, TV, and film reviewer for SCIFI.radio and has previously been a guest on 'The Event Horizon'. In addition to being an active member of the traditional fandom community, she's also an active participant in online fan culture, pro wrestling journalism, and spreading the gospel of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She resides in Southern California with her aspiring superhero dog, Junior, enjoying life one hyperfixation at a time.
