William Shatner says former co-stars are full of envy and hate

William Shatner has no trouble speaking his mind about his former co-stars of Star Trek: The Original Series. 

William Shatner has never had an easy relationship with a good many of the co-stars on Star Trek: The Original Series. Whether it was his fault or the others, no one will ever really know. And now, with only Shatner, George Takei, and Walter Koenig remaining from the cast, it’s not hard to determine who Shatner is referring to when he referenced “they” when talking to The Times [via Daily Mail].

"‘Sixty years after some incident they are still on that track. Don’t you think that’s a little weird? It’s like a sickness’."

The only Star Trek actor who continues to speak against Shatner is George Takei, who has repeatedly criticised the former captain’s actions on the set of the science fiction series as well as his ego. But Shatner believes that all of the barbs were being slung for publicity.

"‘I began to understand that they were doing it for publicity.’"

William Shatner is all out of patience with the criticism.

Though Shatner references “these people” in another quote, his focus remains on Takei who he says has never stopped blackening his name.

"‘George [Takei] has never stopped blackening my name. These people are bitter and embittered. I have run out of patience with them. Why give credence to people consumed by envy and hate?’"

Shatner has had an extremely successful career since he last donned the Star Trek uniform in 1994’s Star Trek: Generations. So it’s easy to see why he believes there’s envy behind Takei’s derogatory comments. Even when Shatner went to space, Takei couldn’t say anything kind. Instead, he chose to make fun of Shatner.

"“He’s a guinea pig, 90 years old and it’s important to find out what happens. So 90 years old is going to show a great deal more on the wear and tear on the human body, so he’ll be a good specimen to study. Although he’s not the fittest specimen of 90 years old, so he’ll be a specimen that’s unfit!”"

With comments like these, it’s easy to see why Shatner has run out of patience and why this ongoing bitterness won’t come to an end anytime soon…if ever.