Meet William Shatner's 3 daughters with his famous ex-wife who all appeared on Star Trek


The Hollywood legend has been married four times and welcomed three children with his first wife Gloria before their divorce in the late 1960s


William Shatner© Getty Images
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Hannah HargraveUS Deputy Editor
Updated: 7 hours ago
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Aside from thrilling Trekkies in his famous role as Captain Kirk, Hollywood legend William Shatner is a proud father of three girls, whom he welcomed with his first wife, Gloria Rand

The now 95-year-old star married the late Canadian actress Gloria on 12 August 1956, and the famous couple announced the arrival of their first child, Leslie Carol Shatner, on 31 August, 1958. Lisabeth and Melanie followed in 1961 and 1964 to complete their family of five. 

William and Gloria divorced in 1969, and the star went on to marry three more women; Marcy Lafferty from 1973 to 1996, Nerine Kidd from 1997 to 1999, and finally Elizabeth Shatner from 2001 to 2020.

William Shatner welcomed his three children with his late ex-wife, Gloria© Bettmann Archive
William Shatner welcomed his three children with his late ex-wife, Gloria

Despite ending his almost two-decade-long romance with Elizabeth, the pair have since reunited, telling Parade in 2024: "We've in effect remarried. But we haven't done another ceremony."

The acting superstar only had children with his first wife, and he's remained close with his daughters despite divorcing their mom, previously telling The Guardian: "I must have been a hands-on dad because that's what my children tell me.

"In my mind, I was gone a lot of the time in an effort to make a living, so I am gratified that my kids think that they are who they are today because of my influence on them and my sense of being there for them - although it was only at weekends."

Let's meet the three constant women in William's busy life…

Leslie Shatner, 67

Canadian actor & author William Shatner with daughters, Leslie and Melanie, attend the Ringling Brothers Circus at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, July 31, 1990© Ron Galella Collection via Getty
William has a strong bond with his girls

Following her birth in 1958 in Canada, William's first daughter quickly followed in her dad's footsteps and spent her childhood working as an actor, most notably on the set of Star Trek: The Original Series

However, as she grew up, she decided the world of showbiz wasn't in her future and took steps towards carving out a career in health and wellness, training to become an occupational therapist. 

According to her LinkedIn profile, she owns a practice in Orange County, California. Leslie is married to Gordon Walker and has two children, Grant and Eric Walker.

Leslie Walker is the eldest daughter of William © WireImage
Leslie Walker is the eldest daughter of William

Lisabeth Shatner, 64

William's middle child was born three years after her sister on 6 June 1961, in California. 

She also spent time on the Star Trek set as a child, making a quick cameo in the first season. Lisabeth stayed acting a little longer than her elder sister but eventually decided to pursue other creative outlets instead. 

All his girls appeared in some variation of the Star Trek franchise © WireImage
All his girls appeared in some variation of the Star Trek franchise

"I never say no to a new experience. I learned that from my dad," she told the online outlet Whoosh in 2002, when asked if she would work in the entertainment industry again and revealed her passions for writing and sculpture.

Lisabeth has been married to Andy Clement since 2005, and it is unknown whether the couple have children together. 

Melanie Shatner, 61

WIlliam with his three daughters in the 1980s© MediaPunch via Getty Images
WIlliam with his three daughters

Melanie Ann Shatner was born on 1 August 1964, in Los Angeles and following the family tradition, also acted alongside her dad in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

Despite landing a few small film roles in the 90s and a TV ad with her dad, Melanie ultimately decided she didn't want a life in the spotlight and left acting behind with her younger years. 

She married actor Joel Gretsch in 1999, and they have two children together, Kaya and Willow Gretsch.

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Melanie praised her dad's hands-on parenting in the past and told Senior Voice Alaska: "He would do whatever it took to get home to see us, even if it meant driving all night. I think that illustrates what a wonderful, committed father he was and is.

"We all have such great memories of getting to hang out with him and watching him work."

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