Shatner Appreciates Captain Kirk, ICU Doctors

William Shatner called the role of Captain Kirk a gift, saying that although he has done much more with his career - including charity events like the one he will participate in tomorrow in Calgary - Star Trek was a significant milestone in his career.

Speaking to Canoe Jam!, the 73-year-old actor said that although he is besieged by charities that want his assistance, he decided to assist Once Upon a Chair - the Canadian Intensive Care Foundation of Calgary's fundraiser - because it helps to educate future doctors and nurses. "I think we should all do everything we can to aid the doctors and nurses who work in intensive-care units," he said. "These professionals perform such an incredible life-saving service."

The event will take place at the Jubilee Auditorium of Calgary in Shatner's native Canada, where ten chairs were decorated by local artists for auction to benefit the charity. "I'll be on stage with one of the chairs reading a fairy tale the CICF has sent me," Shatner explained. "My chair can talk back but I think I can handle it if it becomes a heckler." He added that he enjoyed performing before a live audience.

Asked whether his most famous role made it more difficult for him to get others, Shatner said, "Kirk was an important part of my career. It wasn't a problem. It was a gift...but I’ve done much more than one role." He said that being able to laugh at himself was essential in his profession and felt blessed to have had such a long career: "I feel joyful. We pass through one life. If you don’t have fun and if you don’t make it joyful for yourself, you’re the big loser...it's all about solving problems, and the bigger the problem the more I relish the challenge."

Information and tickets for the event are here.

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