Star Trek has long assured this actor a place in the history books. Born in Canada in 1931, Shatner's career has spanned 50 years, during which he has handled the roles of everything from actor and director, to producer, screenwriter and author. One of his latest is the character of Denny Crane, which he takes on for Boston Legal.

Shatner started out on Broadway and live TV before his movie debut as Alexei in The Brothers Karamazov, way back in 1958.

For those who don't know it, he didn't exactly meet with fame and fortune after Star Trek. Soon after the original series ended, his wife left him and sued. Left with little money and even fewer acting prospects, he lived in a truck until small roles gave way to bigger ones!

In the picture: Shatner with wife Elizabeth Anderson Martin