George Takei addresses William Shatner’s claim that he uses his name for publicity
‘I don’t need him for publicity so I’m not going to play his game by talking about him’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.George Takei has addressed his Star Trek co-star William Shatner’s claim that he uses his name for “publicity”.
Last year, Takei mocked Shatner’s voyage to outer space, saying he was being used as a 90-year-old “guinea pig” to assess the impact of space on an “unfit” specimen.
Shatner responded to Takei’s comments, telling The Times: “I began to understand that they were doing it for publicity.
“Sixty years after some incident they are still on that track. Don’t you think that’s a little weird? It’s like a sickness.
“George has never stopped blackening my name. These people are bitter and embittered. I have run out of patience with them. Why give credence to people consumed by envy and hate?”
On Friday (26 November), Takei responded to Shatner’s comments, saying: “Bill says I talk about him to get publicity… nonsense!
“I don’t need him for publicity so I’m not going to play his game by talking about him,” he told Mirror.
In his new essay collection, Boldly Go, Shatner wrote about the breakdown of his friendship with many of his Star Trek co-stars including Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock, and the fact that Uhura actor Nichelle Nichols told him his co-stars found him “cold and arrogant”.
“I was horrified to learn this, ashamed that I hadn’t realised it,” Shatner wrote.
The Captain Kirk actor’s collection Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder is out now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments