The Shatner Success Story Goes On and On

William Shatner, who turned 75 last month, continues to make news as an actor, singer, humanitarian and cultural icon, befriending one-time Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins and starring on a Peabody Award-winning show.

Drowned in Sound reported on the odd couple of Shatner and Rollins, who worked on the Has Been album the Captain Kirk actor recorded with Fen Folds. "I thought, 'That sounds like it could be great or a total disaster,' and I love that kind of risk," Rollins said of the collaboration. "After that, Shatner's assistant calls me and says, 'Bill had a really good time,' and asks if I'd like to come over for Monday Night Football at his house." The two watched the Superbowl together as well.

Long Beach's Press-Telegram's Doug Krikorian recognized Shatner at the Toyota Celebrity race press luncheon, where the actor was test-driving a Toyota Scion. Asked how he liked being the oldest driver ever to participate in the race, Shatner said, "Well, at my age, I'm just thankful for every day I wake up and every day I'm able to use all my limbs."

Racing, Shatner added, "gives me an adrenaline I don't get from acting...I've always liked speed. I drive motorcycles, I fly airplanes and I've been driving on the L.A. freeways for most of my adult life." He joked that he probably should join the American Association of Retired Persons, whose magazine recently interviewed the actor. The May/June 2006 issue of AARP quoted Shatner on his fear of death and how healthy he feels now.

StarTrek.com declared that as usual, "the Shatman is a flurry of activity", following up the Toyota event with the 16th annual Hollywood Charity Horse Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. A Western dinner and dance will follow a silent auction and a riding demonstration. Information is available here.

In addition, the official Star Trek web site noted that Shatner's Boston Legal recently was awarded the Peabody Award for broadcast excellence for its innovative blend "from comedy to drama to stinging political commentary with acrobatic assurance and undisguised glee."

And Dan Brown (presumably not The Da Vinci Code author) of Canada's London Free Press wondered, "Is there ever a bad time to write about William Shatner?" and reflected on the Montreal-born actor’s 75th birthday. "The man is evergreen. He’s always in season," wrote Brown. "Shatner is the platypus of entertainers. He acts in movies, he does television shows, he appears in commercials, he writes books, he beds sexy alien women. Is there any arena in which Shatner doesn’t excel?"

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