William Shatner discusses the intense ‘sadness’ of being in space


An image of William Shatner going to space next to Captain Kirk in Star Trek 2 The Wrath of Khan

Star Trek’s iconic Captain Kirk actor William Shatner boldly went to space last year, travelling with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Since then, the actor has shared his deep epiphany to fans everywhere.

Speaking at the 2023 South by Southwest convention in Austin, Texas, Shatner once again discussed the intense sadness he felt upon seeing Earth from the great expanse.

Conversing with Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League, Shatner explained that he was greatly afraid of getting on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, but he knew that he had to go through with it.

“I think, 'I'm Captain Kirk,” he said, via ComicBook. “‘I can't [back out now.]'"

Upon reaching space, the iconic Star Trek actor was able to see across the whole Earth and into the endless nothingness past it. Looking out across infinite space, Shatner felt nothing but an intense sadness.

“It was DEATH!” Shatner exclaimed. "[Earth], the beige, the white, the blue, was life. I felt this sadness."

“How sad is that, that this beautiful sacred thing called life has evolved and disappeared and we didn't even know it was there? What can we do? That's the question I leave with you all.”

Alongside his journey into space, William Shatner also starred in a documentary about his trip amongst the stars. Released on Amazon Prime, the documentary follows the actor’s training and journey into the great beyond.

Shatner even includes detailed stories of his time in space in his newest book — Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder. In the book, the 91-year-old actor talks about his career, finalising in his trip to the stars.

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