George Takei Admits ‘Cantankerous Old Man’ William Shatner Clashed With ‘Star Trek’ Cast
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Takei also called his former co-star a 'prima donna.'
The feud between William Shatner and his Star Trek co-stars, most notably George Takei, is no secret, but Shatner and Takei had a bit more to say of late, revealing their true feelings for one another and their history.
In a new interview with The Guardian to discuss his musical Allegiance, based on his childhood as a Japanese American forced to go to an internment camp in the aftermath of the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor, Takei spared a moment to talk about Star Trek and Shatner.
Takei is well-known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek universe, starring opposite Shatner as Captain Kirk.
The 85-year-old looks back on the show and its impact fondly, and when asked if the cast were close friends on set, Takei said, “Yes. Yes. YES. Except for one, who was a prima donna."
He didn't say Shatner's name, but it's clear who Takei was talking about.
Takei spoke about his close relationships with the late actors Leonard Nimoy and James Doohan before saying, in response to the question of if anyone got along with Shatner, "No, none of us."
As for how Shatner was in his younger years, Takei described him: "He was self-involved. He enjoyed being the center of attention. He wanted everyone to kowtow to him.”
To Takei, Shatner hasn't changed much over the years.
Recently, the 91-year-old commented to The Times UK that he believes his Star Trek cast members make critical comments about him for "publicity."
Takei continued: "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 [Takei] 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?”
Takei was upfront in his response and told The Guardian, "I decided I don’t need his name to get publicity. I have much more substantial subject matter that I want to get publicity for, so I’m not going to refer to [William Shatner] in this interview at all. Although I just did. He’s just a cantankerous old man, and I’m going to leave him to his devices. I’m not going to play his game.”
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