William Shatner, at 95, Is Busier Than Ever
William Shatner, the iconic actor who brought Captain James T. Kirk to life, continues to defy expectations at 95. This weekend, he will take the stage at Riot Fest in Chicago to preview six songs from his upcoming heavy metal album, What the F Is Heavy Metal? The performance marks yet another unexpected chapter in a career that has spanned over seven decades and includes acting, writing, music, and even space travel.
Shatner will perform with his band, the *uckers, sharing a bill with punk and rock luminaries such as Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Tool, and Morrissey. According to Billboard, the album features 50 musicians and includes three original songs co-written with longtime collaborator Rob Sharenow, plus covers like Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” Shatner admits he initially questioned the genre. “I said, ‘What the f–k is heavy metal?’ and that’s the title of the album,” he told Billboard. “Then I began to discover what the f–k is heavy metal.”
In addition to his musical pursuits, Shatner is promoting his new book, William Shatner… And You, and will appear at a screening of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in Denver on January 21, 2027. Tickets for the Paramount Theatre event, which includes a Q&A and VIP photo opportunities, went on sale September 18.
Twilight Zone’s AI Prophecy
Shatner’s resurgence in the news also stems from renewed attention to his classic Twilight Zone episodes. In a recent interview with SYFY Wire, Shatner acknowledged the eerie parallels between the 1960 episode “Nick of Time” and modern artificial intelligence. In the episode, Shatner plays a man who becomes paralyzed by a fortune-telling machine that dispenses generic answers, unable to make decisions without consulting it.
“Absolutely,” Shatner said when asked if the episode was an allegory for AI dependency. “His mind was in that area long before most people’s were,” he added, referring to series creator Rod Serling. Shatner noted that the machine in the episode remembered past questions, much like today’s AI chatbots. He has personally experimented with AI, feeding it queries about philosophy and everyday life, and was surprised when it referenced his previous questions “as though it’s a friend.”
The conversation highlights growing concerns about reliance on AI for decision-making. As AI tools like ChatGPT become ubiquitous, the 1960 episode’s warning about paralysis through over-dependence feels more relevant than ever. Elon Musk lives in Memphis Airstream Trailer to Oversee xAI's Colossus Expansion and other tech leaders are racing to advance AI, while ethicists urge caution.
A Career of Reinvention
Shatner’s ability to remain culturally relevant is remarkable. After Star Trek ended in 1969, he struggled financially, at one point living in a pickup truck with a camper shell. But he reinvented himself through commercials, most notably for Priceline.com in the 1990s, where he accepted stock instead of a fee—a move that netted him tens of millions. More recently, he has released albums across genres, from blues to Christmas music, and in 2021, at age 90, he became the oldest person to travel to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard.
His latest metal venture is not a joke, he insists. “I’ve been preparing for two months now,” he told Billboard, describing the meticulous process of counting down entrances and exits. “It’s going to be extraordinary.”
What This Means for Aging Icons and AI Anxiety
Shatner’s dual narrative—embracing heavy metal while warning about AI dependence—reflects broader cultural trends. As AI becomes integrated into daily life, from healthcare to entertainment, questions about autonomy and trust loom large. The Twilight Zone episode “Nick of Time” serves as a cautionary tale: the fortune-teller machine offers answers, but at the cost of human agency. Shatner’s own experience with AI, where the machine seemed to remember him like a friend, underscores the seductive nature of these tools.
Meanwhile, his refusal to slow down challenges perceptions of aging. At 95, he is recording a metal album, touring, and engaging with new technologies. His Denver appearance will celebrate a film that many consider the best Star Trek movie, and his Riot Fest set will introduce him to a new generation of fans.
As Shatner told SYFY Wire, the key is to avoid the paralysis that afflicted his Twilight Zone character. “Having the courage to say, ‘Well, I’m going to step off that cliff and see what happens,’” he said. It’s a philosophy that has served him well—and one that continues to define his extraordinary life.
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