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The two actors discuss how the love for ‘Star Trek’ itself and everything that follows in that universe is generational
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William Shatner and George Takei talked with AARP in celebration of Star Trek‘s 60th anniversary
The original series aired from 1966 to 1969, with Takei, 89, as Hikaru Sulu and Shatner, 95, as Captain James T. Kirk
The two actors are opening up about the growth of Gene Roddenberry’s original series and its fanbase over six decades
William Shatner and George Takei are proud of what the original Star Trek series has become in TV history and fans’ hearts.
The two actors sat down with AARP for its Movies for Grownups series as the original series marks its 60th anniversary, where they praised the way that fans have played such a big part in the show’s history.
“The fans who discovered it gave us this totally unexpected, undreamed-of longevity,” Takei, 89, told the outlet. The actor has played Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu across 10 different Star Trek universe television shows and films.
Star Trek aired from 1966 to 1969. The characters then returned in an animated series, which was followed by feature films. The show’s universe, which all began with creator Gene Roddenberry’s original series, has only continued to grow through different iterations.
The show’s expansive offerings leave something for everyone, and Takei says he’s proud that today, “Star Trek is a family show.”
“Our most steady audience members are grandpas and grandmas,” he notes, calling the many spin-offs of the original series the “children and grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.”
“So it appeals to all the generations of our audience group,” Takei adds. “Star Trek itself is living long and prospering.”
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 George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Walter Koenig for ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ 25th anniversary, 2007 Credit: CBS/Getty |  Producer Gene Roddenberry and ‘Star Trek’ cast members, 1988 Credit: CBS/Getty |  Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Walter Koenig, William Shatner, James Doohan, DeForest Kelley and Nichelle Nichols in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,’ 1982 Credit: CBS/Getty |
For Shatner, 95, who played Captain James T. Kirk in nine different television shows and feature films in the universe’s canon, he’s holding on not just to memories, but those he shared them with.
“My memory of Star Trek is filled with the lovely people in it,” he says. “Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, to name two. They were beautiful people that were good friends of mine, all dead now.”
Today, both actors are also grateful to continue to work and share important stories in an industry that’s always evolving.
“‘Live long and prosper’ should include gratitude,” Takei notes. “Gratitude for the blessings we have.”
Read the original article on People
