While William Shatner’s career is synonymous with his feats in Star Trek, prior to his flight in the sci-fi juggernaut, he made a name for himself by excelling in theatre, especially at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. But before headlining major plays at Stratford, he worked as an understudy to Christopher Plummer for years, a man he admired immensely.
Even though Plummer was just three years his senior, Shatner described the former as far more advanced in the realm of acting, given Plummer’s roots in the theatrical scene of Montreal. But it was his mentor’s unavailability during one play that contributed to Shatner’s breakout moment in the field.
An accidental kidney stone launched William Shatner into the spotlight
Amidst his stint as an understudy to Christopher Plummer, William Shatner was eventually called in to fill in for The Sound of Music star during Stratford Festival’s Henry V production in ’56. As for the reason behind Plummer’s absence, according to the actor himself, he accidentally dislodged a kidney stone the night prior and was petrified by the prospect of his inability to perform.
For Shatner, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as instead of imitating Plummon, the Star Trek star did his own thing and even earned The Sound of Music star’s stamp of approval in the process, who was assured his understudy “was going to be a star”. In his memoir, Plummer added (via Page Six):
Shatner made sure he did everything I didn’t do — stood up where I had sat down, lay down where I stood up . . . he was original to the last. I knew then that the SOB was going to be a star.
Although it didn’t earn Shatner mainstream appeal, the actor did agree with Plummer’s stance of Henry V being his breakout moment.
William Shatner eventually reunited with Christopher Plummer in Star Trek
Following their shift to the movie business, both eventually “lost each other as our careers took different paths”. On the bright side, the two did reunite years later in Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country, as Shatner felt an obligation to Plummer, given the latter’s influence on his acting chops. He detailed (via Variety):
We came together, finally, on a ‘Star Trek’ movie. Some of that classic training was shown as he tackled a clever script. Chris was so wonderful in it. I felt like I was inviting him to my home. I felt an obligation to him because I’d been his understudy [years ago] and I’d gone on [for him] and I’d gotten some acclaim.
As for their reunion, Plummer’s Shakespearean roots made General Chang one of the franchise’s most notable antagonists, which explains why Shatner considered the former a level above him for the longest time.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
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