William Shatner's Love Life: A Journey Through Four Marriages

When you think of William Shatner, you probably picture Captain Kirk boldly going where no man has gone before. But let's take a moment to focus on the personal side of this legendary actor. William Shatner's life has been as adventurous off-screen as it has been on-screen. Born in Canada, Shatner spent years working in minor films and TV roles before landing the iconic role of Captain James Tiberius Kirk in Star Trek back in 1966. His career has spanned over six decades, and along the way, he’s found love multiple times, marrying four women throughout his life. Let’s dive into his personal journey and explore the women who have shared his life.

William's first marriage was to Gloria Rand, a fellow actress, in 1956. They were together for 13 years, and during that time, they welcomed three daughters: Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie. Balancing his burgeoning career with family life wasn’t always easy, but Shatner values his relationship with his children deeply. In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Shatner revealed, “I must have been a hands-on dad because that's what my children tell me. Even though I was often away working, I'm grateful that my kids believe they are who they are today because of my influence and my presence in their lives—especially on weekends.”

When Star Trek wrapped up, William was ready to move on to new projects. In 1973, he married Marcy Lafferty, another Hollywood actress. During their marriage, Shatner continued to appear in notable TV films like The Horror at 37,000 Feet. Their relationship lasted over 20 years, making it the longest marriage of his life. However, in 1996, the couple decided to part ways. In a 1994 interview with the New York Times, Shatner reflected, “I have all the anger, rage, desire, and sensuality about me as when I was 20. Star Trek uplifted and supported me in every way, but I never allowed it to be the only thing in my life. My personal life was in turmoil, renewing itself, and so was my professional life.”

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In 1997, Shatner married Nerine Kidd, a former model. Leonard Nimoy, his co-star from Star Trek, served as his best man. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived. In 1999, Shatner found Kidd at the bottom of their swimming pool. Her autopsy revealed traces of Valium and alcohol in her system. Speaking about this tragic period in his life, Shatner told The Irish Times in 2021, “We were so much in love, but I didn’t understand addiction back then. After her passing, I created the Nerine Shatner Foundation, which supports women recovering from addiction. Women often tell me, 'You saved my life.' But it wasn't me—it was Nerine. She did that.”

After Kidd's passing, Shatner met Elizabeth Martin, a horse trainer who shared his passion for horses. They married in 2001, and their relationship seemed to be a happy one for many years. In his autobiography, Shatner wrote, “Elizabeth is a strong, independent, and very talented woman. She's an incredible horse trainer, and now her energy goes into our life together and her painting. She’s discovered her creative talents.” However, in 2019, Shatner filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage. Despite the split, the two remain friendly, and Elizabeth even joined William for his 90th birthday celebration in 2021.

Let’s take a closer look at each of William Shatner’s four marriages.

William Shatner’s First Marriage: Gloria Rand

Before becoming a household name, William Shatner met Gloria Rand on the set of a play called Dreams. Both were pursuing acting careers, and Gloria had already appeared in several TV shows in the 1950s, including Encounter and Goodyear Playhouse. They married in 1956 and had three daughters together. However, as Shatner's star began to rise with Star Trek, the dynamics of their relationship changed. In his 2008 memoir, Up Till Now, Shatner wrote, “I was becoming a star; she was remaining my wife. And for an actor, the role of a star’s wife is not a very pleasant one to play.” By 1969, their marriage ended, coinciding with the final season of Star Trek.

William Shatner’s Second Marriage: Marcy Lafferty

William’s second marriage was to Marcy Lafferty, another talented actress from New York. Marcy appeared in shows like Hawaii Five-0 and Medical Center before marrying Shatner in 1973. They shared the screen in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the TV series TJ Hooker. During their time together, they spent a lot of time at Belle Reve Farm, a horse farm Shatner purchased in Kentucky. Despite their long-lasting relationship of 23 years, the couple divorced in 1996. Reflecting on his advice for young actors, Shatner quipped in his autobiography, “Whatever you do, don’t marry an actor. Of course, Marcy probably would respond exactly the same way.”

William Shatner’s Third Marriage: Nerine Kidd

Shatner’s third marriage to Nerine Kidd was filled with love but tragically cut short. Kidd, a former model, struggled with alcohol addiction, and Leonard Nimoy, Shatner’s close friend, often helped her attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. In 1999, Shatner found Kidd at the bottom of their swimming pool. Her death was a devastating blow, but it inspired Shatner to create the Nerine Shatner Foundation to

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