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When "Star Trek" fans rank every Enterprise captain , William Shatner's James T. Kirk is always going to be near the top of that list. Shatner created an iconic and beloved character that changed the course of his life, even if few could have guessed how lasting the show's popularity would prove amid its initial run. Despite unimpressive ratings during the show's original airing, it amassed a cult following that would continue to explode when the series was syndicated — success that did little to benefit Shatner as the star of "Star Trek," since TV actors at the time weren't paid royalties. Responding to a now-deleted post on X, Shatner vented about the situation, writing: "Anything before 1973 (that includes Star Trek Original Ser

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