William Shatner has opened up about his 2021 space flight with Blue Origin in an excerpt from his newly-released book, Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder, shared via Variety. The essay details the preparation for the space shuttle launch on October 13th, 2021, which included Star Trek’s original Captain Kirk in a record-breaking endeavor as the oldest person to travel to space at his then-90 years of age, as well as some of the surprisingly grim takeaways from his ascended viewpoint. After admitting to some apprehension that stemmed from engine anomalies, a contingency plan if the rocket exploded pre-flight, and a recurring image of the Hindenburg disaster, Shatner shared his experience with g-force and his impression once the four-person crew reached weightlessness. “Every...
William Shatner is going where only few men have gone before: the Star Trek actor is set to blast off into space aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. TMZ reports that Shatner will be among the passengers aboard the rocket when it launches in October. In doing so, the 90-year-old actor will become the oldest person ever to go to space, breaking a record recently set by astronaut Wally Funk, who took a trip aboard the Blue Origin in July. Perhaps equally significant, Shatner will also be the first-ever inductee of the WWE’s Wrestling Hall of Fame to go to space. Blue Origin’s 11-minute sub orbital flight takes passengers more than 62 miles above Earth, including three minutes in zero gravity. Shatner is reportedly filming the once-in-a-lifetime experience for an upcoming documentary. Adver...
Before we could get anywhere near talking about his new album, Bill, on our scheduled Zoom call, William Shatner was already marveling at my beard. Now, it’s not the first interview to be disrupted by my ample facial hair, but it’s not exactly how I was planning to start my chat with the man behind Captain James T. Kirk, dozens of other characters from my childhood, and some of the most memorable cover songs in history. Always the storyteller, Shatner gleefully launched into a memory of when he was once performing live and there was a man with a large beard in the audience. “He was standing up, and I turned to his wife sitting next to him, and I said, ‘Do you like that beard?’” Shatner recalls in his now-legendary almost-hushed voice. “She looked at her husband and said ‘No!’ Obviously, in...
Carl Reiner, the legendary comedian, actor, and director whose career spanned seven decades, passed away Monday night at the age of 98. In the wake of his passing, close friends, family, and colleagues all offered their thoughts and condolences. His son, Rob, mourned the loss of his father early this morning on Twitter, writing: “Last night my dad passed away. As I write this my heart is hurting. He was my guiding light.” Longtime colleague and closest friend Mel Brooks offered a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, writing: Carl was a giant, unmatched in his contributions to entertainment. He created comedy gems like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Jerk and Where’s Poppa? I met him in 1950 when he joined Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows and we’ve been best friend...
Jerry Stiller, legendary actor and comic of Seinfeld and The King of Queens, passed away on Monday morning. In the wake of his passing at the age of 92, countless co-stars and fellow colleagues offered their thoughts and condolences. His son, Ben, broke the news this morning on Twitter: “I’m sad to say that my father, Jerry Stiller, passed away from natural causes. He was a great dad and grandfather, and the most dedicated husband to Anne for about 62 years. He will be greatly missed. Love you Dad.” Jason Alexander, who portrayed his on-screen son George Costanza in Seinfeld, tweeted: “He was perhaps the kindest man I ever had the honor to work beside. He made me laugh when I was a child and every day I was with him. A great actor, a great man, a lovely friend.” Editors̵...