William Shatner Mourns Patrick Stewart and Prepares Heavy Metal Tour
The 95-year-old Star Trek icon is remembering late fellow cast members while taking his new heavy metal band on the road.
At 95 years old, original Star Trek icon William Shatner is navigating a deeply sorrowful period marked by the loss of two prominent figures from the franchise, even as he pivots into an unexpected heavy metal music career.
Shatner, who famously portrayed Captain James T. Kirk, recently took to social media to express his grief following the death of Sir Patrick Stewart at the age of 86. Stewart, celebrated for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequent films, passed away following a journey with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Reflecting on the loss, Shatner shared a poignant tribute to his late colleague and friend. "What a heartbreaking week it has been. Sir Patrick Stewart was a friend, a colleague, and a magnificent actor," Shatner wrote online. He praised Stewart for bringing intelligence, grace, and humanity to the role of Captain Picard, adding that he felt profound affection and admiration for him and his work.
The passing of Stewart arrived just days after the death of another Star Trek alumnus, Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov in the original television series. Koenig passed away from natural causes at his North Hollywood home at the age of 90 on Sunday, October 25. The dual losses drew widespread mourning from across Hollywood, with tributes pouring in from co-stars, directors, and fans alike.
Amid these somber events, Shatner is also preparing for a unique professional venture far removed from science fiction television. Cleopatra Records floated the idea for the 95-year-old actor to form a heavy metal band, leading to the creation of William Shatner and The *uckers in September 2026. The all-star ensemble features veteran rock musicians including bassist Phil Soussan, guitarist Marcus Nand, guitarist Britt Lightning, and drummer Fred Aching.
The band made its live debut at Riot Fest in Chicago, performing reimagined tracks from Shatner's musical catalog alongside heavy metal covers of classic songs by artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Motörhead, and Metallica, as well as several original tracks. Their upcoming debut studio album, titled What the F Is Heavy Metal?, is expected to arrive this winter, supported by a concert tour.
Shatner and his band are scheduled to perform in Florida as part of their upcoming tour, with dates booked at Ferg's Pavilion in St. Petersburg and the Mount Dora Music Hall in Mount Dora. While fans may still associate him closely with his decades-old television legacy, Shatner's late-career pivot into heavy metal continues to generate significant public interest and unexpected musical adventures.