Shatner's Shocking Confession: Zero Dollars From Star Trek Reruns!

William Shatner, the iconic Captain James T. Kirk from the original Star Trek series, has revealed a surprising truth about his earnings from the show. Despite decades of reruns and syndication, Shatner claims he hasn't received a single penny in residuals from the original series.

The Rerun Revelation

In a recent interview, the 94-year-old actor explained that the concept of syndication and residual fees was not well-established during the show's initial run from 1966 to 1969. "Nobody knew about reruns," Shatner stated. "The concept of syndication only came in after ‘Star Trek’ was canceled when someone from the unions said: ‘Wait a minute, you’re replaying all those films, those shows.’"

The Union's Role and Shatner's Missed Opportunity

According to Shatner, a strike eventually led to unions securing residual fees for actors, but this occurred shortly after Star Trek concluded its original run. As a result, Shatner did not benefit from these new regulations.

He previously addressed this issue on social media, clarifying that anything before 1973, including the original Star Trek series, doesn't generate royalties. This revelation may surprise many fans who assume that actors automatically receive compensation for reruns of their work.

Shatner's Perspective on Star Trek

Interestingly, despite his association with the franchise, Shatner has admitted to not being an avid Star Trek viewer, claiming to have only seen a "few" episodes of his own work. This candidness adds another layer to his already intriguing relationship with the series that defined his career.

While Star Trek continues to thrive through various iterations and adaptations, Shatner's experience serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of entertainment compensation and the importance of understanding residual rights.