Let’s talk about William Shatner, shall we? The man who became a household name as Captain James Tiberius Kirk in Star Trek has had an incredible career spanning more than six decades. But his life isn’t just about boldly going where no man has gone before. William’s personal life has been equally fascinating, marked by four marriages and a string of memorable relationships. From his early days struggling to make it big in Hollywood to becoming one of the most iconic actors in the entertainment industry, William has worn many hats—including that of a devoted father and husband.
William met his first love, Gloria Rand, in the mid-1950s, and they were married from 1956 to 1969. During their time together, they welcomed three children into the world: Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie. Even when his career took off with Star Trek, William always made sure to prioritize his family. “I must have been a hands-on dad because that’s what my children tell me,” he once admitted in an interview with The Guardian. “In my mind, I was gone a lot of the time trying to make a living, so I’m really gratified that my kids think they are who they are today because of my influence.”
After Star Trek ended, William moved on to other projects and eventually married his second wife, Marcy Lafferty, in 1973. Their marriage lasted over two decades, making it the longest of his four marriages. During this time, William appeared in several notable TV films and even shared the screen with Marcy in TJ Hooker. But as William himself admitted in his autobiography, marrying another actor wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. “If a young actor were to ask me for advice about relationships, I’d probably say, whatever you do, don’t marry an actor,” he joked.
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Then came tragedy in 1999 when William lost his third wife, Nerine Kidd, after only two years of marriage. It was a heartbreaking chapter in his life, but one that inspired him to create the Nerine Shatner Foundation, which helps women struggling with addiction. “Nerine and I were deeply in love, but I didn’t fully understand addiction back then,” William reflected in a 2021 interview with The Irish Times. “Now, through the foundation, we’re able to help so many women rebuild their lives.”
Finally, in 2001, William found love again with Elizabeth Martin, a horse trainer and artist. Their marriage lasted until 2019, and despite their divorce, the two remain friendly. In fact, Elizabeth even joined William for his 90th birthday celebration in 2021. “Elizabeth is an incredibly strong and talented woman,” William wrote in his memoir. “She brought so much energy and creativity into our lives.”
So, let’s take a closer look at each of William’s marriages and the women who shaped his personal life. Scroll down to meet them all.
Who Was William Shatner’s First Wife, Gloria Rand?
Before he became Captain Kirk, William Shatner was just starting out in the world of acting. That’s where he met Gloria Rand, a fellow Canadian actress, on the set of a play called Dreams. They tied the knot in 1956 and went on to have three beautiful children together. Gloria herself had a burgeoning acting career, appearing in TV shows like Encounter and Goodyear Playhouse before focusing on raising their family.
However, as William’s star began to rise with Star Trek, the demands of his career put a strain on their marriage. “I was becoming a star; she was remaining my wife,” William wrote in his 2008 book, Up Till Now. “And for an actor, the role of a star’s wife is not a very pleasant one to play.” By the time the third and final season of Star Trek wrapped up in 1969, so did William and Gloria’s marriage.
Who Was William Shatner’s Second Wife, Marcy Lafferty?
William’s second marriage was to Marcy Lafferty, another Hollywood actress who also happened to be the daughter of All in the Family producer Perry Lafferty. The couple tied the knot in 1973 and enjoyed over two decades of marriage before calling it quits in 1996. During those years, William and Marcy spent a lot of time at Belle Reve Farm, a horse farm William purchased in Kentucky. They even worked together on screen in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and TJ Hooker.
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Reflecting on their relationship, William admitted that marrying another actor wasn’t always easy. “Marcy probably would respond exactly the same way if she were asked for advice about marrying an actor,” he quipped. Still, their 23-year marriage remains the longest of William’s four unions.
What Happened to William Shatner’s Third Wife, Nerine Kidd?
William’s third marriage was to Nerine Kidd, a former model whom he married in 1997. Leonard Nimoy, William’s close friend and co-star from Star Trek, served as best man at their wedding. Unfortunately, their time together was tragically cut short when Nerine drowned in their swimming pool in 1999. An autopsy revealed that she had a dangerously high level of alcohol and Valium in her system at the time of her death.
In the years following Nerine’s passing, William channeled his grief into creating the Nerine Shatner Foundation. The organization operates a halfway house where women can recover from addiction. “Women come up to me and say, ‘You saved my life,’” William shared in a 2021 interview. “But it wasn’t me—it was Nerine. She’s the one who made it possible.”
Why Did William Shatner and His Fourth Wife, Elizabeth Martin, Divorce?
After Nerine’s death, William received letters of condolence from
