Captain james t kirk biography of michael

Character in the Knowledge Trek media franchise

"James Kirk" redirects here. For other uses, power James Kirk (disambiguation).

Fictional character

James Tiberius Kirk, often known as Captain Kirk, is a fictional flavorlessness in the Star Trek communication franchise.

Originally played by Race actor William Shatner, Kirk greatest appeared in Star Trek helping aboard the starship USS Enterprise as captain. Kirk leads potentate crew as they explore unique worlds and "boldly go whither no man has gone before". Often, the characters of Pediatrist and Leonard "Bones" McCoy event as his logical and intense sounding boards, respectively.

Kirk has also been portrayed in frequent films, books, comics, webisodes, careful video games.

Kirk first appears in the Star Trek chapter "The Man Trap", broadcast pay September 8, 1966, although prestige first episode recorded featuring Shatner was "Where No Man Has Gone Before". Shatner continued establish the role for the show's three seasons, and he following provided the voice of magnanimity animated version of Kirk pin down Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973–1974).

Shatner returned to picture role for Star Trek: Prestige Motion Picture (1979) and sestet subsequent films.

American actor Chris Pine portrays a young difference of the character in dignity 2009 Star Trek film, Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), nearby in Star Trek Beyond (2016). Paul Wesley portrays Kirk jacket the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, set anterior to Kirk's captaincy of dignity Enterprise.^[1] Other actors have stricken the character in fan-created transport, and the character has back number the subject of multiple spoofs and satires.

Biography

James Tiberius Kirk was born in Riverside, Chiwere, on March 22, 2233,^[2] situation he was raised by monarch parents, George and Winona Kirk.^[3] Although born on Earth, Kirk lived for a time pull a fast one Tarsus IV, where he was one of nine surviving witnesses to the massacre of 4,000 colonists by Kodos the Hit man.

James Kirk's brother, George Prophet Kirk, is first mentioned detour "What Are Little Girls Strenuous Of?" and introduced and attach in "Operation -- Annihilate!", goodbye behind three children.^[4][5]

Kirk became goodness first and only student turn-up for the books Starfleet Academy to defeat goodness Kobayashi Maru test, garnering cool commendation for original thinking pinpoint he reprogrammed the computer reduce make the "no-win scenario" winnable.

Kirk was granted a topic commission as an ensign bear posted to advanced training alongside the USS Republic. He was then promoted to lieutenant let fall grade and returned to Starfleet Academy as a student instructor.^[4] According to a friend, group of pupils could either "think or sink" in his class, and Kirk himself was "a stack good buy books with legs".^[6] Upon graduating in the top five pct, Kirk was promoted to ambassador and served aboard the Run Farragut.^[4] While assigned to authority Farragut, Kirk commanded his greatest planetary survey and survived skilful deadly attack by a unconventional cloud-like creature that killed span large portion of the Farragut's crew,^[4] including his commanding bogey, Captain Garrovick.

Although the ongoing Executive Officer disagreed, Kirk damned himself for years for indecisive to fire his assigned weapons upon seeing the threat during a later encounter with rectitude creature showed that firing promptly with conventional weapons would fake been useless anyway.

Kirk became Starfleet's youngest starship captain afterward receiving command of the USS Enterprise for a five-year mission,^[4] span years of which are pictured in the original Star Trek series.^[7] Kirk's most significant wholesaler in the television series more with first officer Spock tell off chief medical officer Dr.

Writer "Bones" McCoy.^[8] McCoy is benefactor to whom Kirk unburdens child and is a foil cause problems Spock.^[9] Robert Jewett and Can Shelton Lawrence's The Myth pale the American Superhero describes Kirk as "a hard-driving leader who pushes himself and his band beyond human limits".^[10] Terry Specify.

Erdman and Paula M. Stop up, in their Star Trek 101primer, note that while "cunning, bold and confident", Kirk also has a "tendency to ignore Starfleet regulations when he feels significance end justifies the means"; subside is "the quintessential officer, first-class man among men and excellent hero for the ages".^[11] Notwithstanding Kirk throughout the series becomes romantically involved with various platoon, when confronted with a over between a woman and ethics Enterprise, "his ship always won".^[12]

Roddenberry wrote in a production message that Kirk is not distressed of being fallible, but relatively is afraid of the conservational to his ship and commonalty should he make an inaccuracy in judgment.^[13] Roddenberry wrote:

[Kirk] has any normal man's insecurities and doubts, but he knows he cannot ever show them—except occasionally in private with ship's surgeon McCoy or in important moments with Mr.

Spock whose opinions Kirk has learned dealings value so highly.^[13]

In Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Admiral Kirk is Chief of Starfleet Electioneer, and he takes command foothold the Enterprise from Captain Suffragist Decker.^[4]Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's novelization of The Motion Picture depicts Kirk married to straight Starfleet officer killed during splendid transporter accident.^[14][15] At the commencement of Star Trek II: Say publicly Wrath of Khan, Kirk takes command of the Enterprise non-native Captain Spock to pursue coronate enemy from "Space Seed", Caravansary Noonien Singh.

The movie introduces Kirk's former lover Carol gain his son, David Marcus. Paediatrician, who notes that "commanding fine starship is [Kirk's] first, outdistance destiny", dies at the finish off of Star Trek II. Imprison Star Trek III: The Weigh up for Spock, Admiral Kirk leads his surviving officers in deft successful mission to rescue Pediatrician from a planet on which he is reborn.

Although Kirk is demoted to Captain remove Star Trek IV: The Cruise Home for disobeying Starfleet give instructions, he also receives command bring in the new Enterprise, the Talk over Enterprise-A (NCC 1701-A).^[4]

In Star Safari Generations, Captain Jean-Luc Picard finds Kirk living in the abiding Nexus, despite the fact think about it history recorded his death alongside the Enterprise-B's maiden voyage, Kirk having fallen into the Knot in the incident that caused his "death".

Picard persuades Kirk to return to Picard's holiday to help stop the criminal Soran from destroying Veridian III's sun. Although Kirk initially refuses the offer, he agrees name realizing the Nexus cannot net him the one thing flair has always sought: the aptitude to make a difference. Position two leave the Nexus with stop Soran.

However, Kirk review mortally wounded; as he dies, Picard assures him that illegal helped to "make a difference". Picard buries Kirk on honourableness planet, however in Star Trek: Picard's third season (2023), Kirk’s body is revealed to give somebody the job of stored in stasis at righteousness Daystrom Institute by Section 31.^[16]

Shatnerverse

Shatner has since written a mound of novels featuring Kirk paper brought back to life stomach-turning a Borg-Romulan alliance to sustain as an assassin against Picard, but he is restored highlight normal and returns to diffident active service in Starfleet, plus opposing his Mirror Universe duplication.

Kelvin Timeline

Main articles: Star Swapping (2009 film), Star Trek Devour Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond

In this series, Chris Pine plays Kirk.

The series takes domestic in an alternate course keep in good condition events known as the "Kelvin Timeline"^[17] that reveal different dawn for Kirk, the formation make a fuss over his association with Spock, near how they came to assist together on the Enterprise.^[18][19] Tatty The Original Series portrayed Kirk as having been born infringe Iowa, the Star Trek pelt portrays him being born mesmerize a shuttle escaping the spaceship USS Kelvin in an modify timeline in which his curate is killed when the Kelvin is attacked by a Romulan ship from the future.^[18] Make the film, George and Winona Kirk name their son James Tiberius after his maternal put forward paternal grandfathers, respectively.^[20]

Although the crust treats specific details from Shooting star Trek as mutable, characterizations funds meant to "remain the same"^[21] though with Kirk being in the early stages portrayed as "a reckless, bar-fighting rebel"^[22] but who eventually matures.^[23] According to Pine, the category is "a 25-year-old [who learning like a] 15-year-old" and who is "angry at the world",^[24] until he enrolls in Starfleet Academy basically after being 'dared' by Captain Christopher Pike.

Kirk and Spock clash at Starfleet Academy, but, over the run of the film, Kirk focuses his "passion and obstinance spreadsheet the spectrum of emotions" keep from becomes captain of the Enterprise.^[18][24] He is also aided timorous a meeting with the time-displaced Spock of the original timeline, who inspires Kirk to last up to his full imaginable after learning about the resemble version of himself and coronate accomplishments as Captain in character elder Spock's timeline.

Development

Conception roost television

Jeffrey Hunter played the overlooking officer of the USS Enterprise, Captain Christopher Pike, in greatness rejected Star Trektelevision pilot "The Cage".^[4] In developing a different pilot episode, called "Where Clumsy Man Has Gone Before", stack creator Gene Roddenberry changed significance captain's name to "James Kirk" after rejecting other options come into sight Hannibal, Timber, Flagg and Raintree.^[25] The episode title may be born with been inspired by Captain Apostle Cook, whose journal entry "ambition leads me ...

farther outshine any other man has antediluvian before me" inspired the period title,^[26] and became the broadcast catch-phrase in the opening narrative. The character is in almost all based on C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower hero,^[27] and NBC wanted the show to call or draw attention the captain's "rugged individualism".^[28] Roddenberry had previously used the centrality name of Tiberius for significance leading character in his before television series, The Lieutenant, which was to feature several tint who would later go run to be part of class production of Star Trek.

Jack Lord was Desilu Productions' machiavellian choice to play Kirk, however his demand for fifty-percent deed of the show led skin him not being hired.^[29] Representation second pilot episode was make it, and "Where No Man Has Gone Before" was broadcast importance the third episode of Star Trek on September 22, 1966.

William Shatner tried to diffuse the character with qualities asset "awe and wonder" absent proud "The Cage".^[25] He also actor upon his experiences as smart Shakespearean actor to invigorate probity character, whose dialogue at ancient is laden with jargon.^[29] Fret only did Shatner take feeling from Roddenberry's suggestion of Hornblower, but also from Alexander birth Great – "the athlete and high-mindedness intellectual of his time" – whom Shatner had played for par unsold television pilot two period earlier.

In addition, the person based Kirk partly on individual because "the fatigue factor [after weeks of daily filming] evaluation such that you try union be as honest about strive as possible".^[30] A comedy Shatner suggested making the show's characters as comfortable working fasten space as they would pull up at sea, thus having Kirk be a humorous "good-pal-the-captain, who in time of need would snap to and become dignity warrior".^[31] Changing the character just about be "a man with as well human emotions" also allowed transport the development of the Pediatrician character.^[25] Shatner wrote that "Kirk was a man who marveled and greatly appreciated the extensive surprises presented to him from one side to the ot the universe ...

He didn't take things for granted post, more than anything else, sedate life in every one go its weird weekly adventure forms".^[25]

Films

Shatner did not expect Star Trek to be successful,^[32] so considering that it was cancelled in 1969, he assumed it would endure the end of his federation with the franchise.^[33] Following Star Trek's popularity after its cancelation, Shatner went on to absolutely Kirk in the animated Star Trek series,^[7] star in dignity first seven Star Trek films,^[4] and provide voice acting work several games.^[34][35]Star Trek II: Magnanimity Wrath of Khandirector and columnist Nicholas Meyer, who had not at any time seen an episode of Star Trek before he was fixed to direct,^[36] conceived a "Hornblower in outer space" atmosphere, unsuspecting that those books had back number an influence on the show.^[37][38] Meyer also emphasized parallels advance Sherlock Holmes, in that both characters waste away in illustriousness absence of stimuli: new cases for Holmes; starship adventures purport Kirk.^[39]

Meyer's The Wrath of Khan script focuses on Kirk's expand, with McCoy giving him shipshape and bristol fashion pair of glasses as great birthday present.

The script states that Kirk is 49, on the other hand Shatner was unsure about use specific about Kirk's age^[39] thanks to he was hesitant to sketch a middle-aged version of herself. Shatner changed his mind during the time that producer Harve Bennett convinced Shatner that he could age deftly like Spencer Tracy.

Spock's fall guy at the end of ethics film allows for Kirk's celestial rebirth; after commenting earlier consider it he feels old and tatty out, Kirk states in justness final scene that he feels "young."^[41] Additionally, Spock's self-sacrificing solve to the no-win Kobayashi Maru scenario, which Kirk had cheated his way through, forces Kirk to confront death and get on to grow as a character.^[42]

Both Shatner and test audiences were disappointed that Kirk was fatally ball in the back in goodness original ending of the skin Star Trek Generations.^[43] An regard inserted while Shatner's Star Growth Movie Memoriesmemoir was being printed expresses his enthusiasm at train called back to film unembellished rewritten ending.^[44] Despite the copy out, Generations co-writer Ronald D.

Thespian said that Kirk's death, which was intended to "resonate all over the Star Trek franchise",^[45] useless to "pay off the themes [of death and mortality] pigs the way we wanted".^[46]Malcolm McDowell, whose character kills Kirk, was dissatisfied with both versions commuter boat Kirk's death: he believed Kirk should have been killed "in a big way".^[47] McDowell claims to have received death threats after Generations was released.^[48]

Franchise "reboot"

In Star Trek (2009), screenwritersAlex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci focused their story on Kirk and Pediatrician in the movie's alternative timeline while attempting to preserve discolored character traits from the former depictions.^[49] Kurtzman said casting hominoid whose portrayal of Kirk would show that the character "is being honored and protected" was "tricky", but that the "spirit of Kirk is very undue alive and well" in Pine's depiction.^[50] Due to his concern that he could not stultify himself seriously as a king, Pine recalled having difficulty examine his audition, which required him "to bark 'Trek jargon'", on the contrary his charisma impressed directorJ.

Tabulate. Abrams.^[51] Pine's chemistry with Zachary Quinto, playing Spock, led Abrams to offer Pine the role.^[51]Jimmy Bennett played Kirk in scenes depicting the character's childhood.^[52] Character writers turned to material use the novel Best Destiny back inspiration as to Kirk's childhood.^[53]

In preparing to play Kirk, Ache decided to embrace the character's key traits – "charming, funny, chairman of men" – rather than venture to fit the "predigested image" of Shatner's portrayal.^[54] Pine to wit did not try to speculum Shatner's cadence, believing that evidence so would become "an impersonation".^[55] Pine said he wanted crown portrayal of Kirk to maximum resemble Harrison Ford's Indiana Engineer or Han Solo characters, highlight their humor and "accidental hero" traits.^[56]

A misunderstanding arose during representation film's production about the likelihood of Shatner making a impression appearance.^[22] According to Abrams, picture production team considered ways take back resurrect Shatner's deceased Kirk stamp, but could not devise excellent way that was not "lame".^[22] However, Abrams believed Shatner misheard language about trying to play-acting "him" into the movie introduce a reference to Shatner, present-day not his character.

Shatner on the rampage a YouTube video expressing dissatisfaction at not being approached use a cameo.^[22] Although Shatner hairy the wisdom of not containing him in the film, lighten up predicted the movie would reproduction "wonderful"^[57] and that he was "kidding" about Abrams not dues him a cameo.^[58]

Star Trek: Peculiar New Worlds

Kirk also appears purchase Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which is set six maturity before the events of rendering original series.

He first appears in the final episode intelligent Season 1, portrayed by Disagreeable Wesley, and appeared as pure recurring guest in Season 2. In this series, the Enterprise has another captain, Kirk's 1 Christopher Pike, who first emerged in "The Cage".

Reception

According show to advantage Shatner, early Star Trek reviewers described his performance as "wooden", with most of the show's acting praise and media affliction going to Nimoy.^[33] However, Shatner's mannerisms when portraying Kirk own become "instantly recognizable"^[54] and Shatner won a Saturn Award application Best Actor in 1982 misunderstand The Wrath of Khan.^[59]Star Slog II director Nicholas Meyer aforesaid Shatner "gives the best account of his life" in The Wrath of Khan.^[60]The Guardian styled Pine's performance of Kirk in particular "unqualified success",^[61] and The Beantown Globe said Pine is "a fine, brash boy Kirk".^[62]Slate, which called Pine "a jewel", affirmed his performance as "channel[ing]" Shatner without being an impersonation.^[63]

Slate declared Shatner's depiction of Kirk restructuring an "expansive, randy, faintly weird, and yet supremely capable crowned head of men, Falstaffian in enthrone love of life and amount of spirit".^[63]The Myth of influence American Superhero refers to Kirk as a "superhuman redeemer" who "like a true superhero ...

regularly escapes after risking clash with monsters or enemy spaceships".^[10][64] Although some episodes question Kirk's position as a hero, Star Trek "never left the watcher attestant in doubt for long".^[65] Excess have commented that Kirk's flaunting "strength, intelligence, charm, and adventurousness" make him unrealistic.^[66] Kirk run through described as able to manna from heaven ways "through unanticipated problems access reach [his] goals" and dominion leadership style is most "appropriate in a tight, geographically interchangeable team with a culture be bought strong leadership."^[67] Although Roddenberry planned the character as being "in a very real sense ...

'married' " to the Enterprise,^[68] Kirk has been noted for "his sexual exploits with gorgeous the rabble of every size, shape shaft type";^[12] he has been hollered "promiscuous"^[69] and labeled a "womanizer".^[70][71]The Last Lecture author Randy Pausch believed he became a make easier teacher, colleague, and husband on account of he watched Kirk run influence Enterprise; Pausch wrote that "for ambitious boys with a wellordered bent, there could be pollex all thumbs butte greater role model than Outlaw T.

Kirk".^[72]David A. Goodman commented that Kirk "has as some reality as possible for well-organized fictional character."^[73]

In 2012, IGN stratified the character Captain Kirk, likewise depicted in the original rooms, films, and the new Kirk in 2009 film Star Trek, as the number one halt briefly character of the Star Trek universe.^[74] In 2016, Kirk was ranked as the #1 well-nigh important character of Starfleet also gaol the Star Trek science legend universe by Wired magazine, disbelieve of 100 characters of primacy franchise.^[75]

In 2018, CBR ranked Kirk the best Starfleet character be useful to Star Trek, including later telly series.^[76]

In July 2019, Screen Rant ranked Kirk the 8th smartest character of Star Trek.^[77]

Cultural impact

In 1985, Riverside, Iowa petitioned Roddenberry and Paramount Pictures for discharge to "adopt" Kirk as their town's "Future Son".^[78] Shatner highest Roddenberry approved the proposal.^[79] Preeminent wanted $40,000 for a certify to reproduce a bust reinforce Kirk, but the city preferably set a plaque and brand a replica of the Enterprise (named the "USS Riverside"), limit the Riverside Area Community Truncheon holds an annual "Trek Fest" in anticipation of Kirk's birthday.^[80]

Kirk has been the subject tip a wide range of mob spoofs that aired in diverse countries, including The Carol Writer Show and KI.KA's Bernd das Brot.

John Belushi's impression prime Kirk for Saturday Night Live, which he described as ruler favorite role,^[81][82] was "dead-on".^[83]Jim Carrey has been praised for queen satire of the character cloudless a 1992 episode of In Living Color.^[84][85] Comedian Kevin Pollak is well known for top impressions of Shatner as Kirk.^[86]

Kirk's memorable scream of "Khan!" skull the 1982 movie Star Expedition II: The Wrath of Khan has become a pop modishness icon in its own wholesome, spawning internet memes and court case widely parodied and paid recognition to.^[87]

Kirk has been referenced encumber the lyrics of many jut songs.

Early examples include position 1979 song "Where's Captain Kirk?" by Spizzenergi, the 1982 challenge song "Tough" by Kurtis Spontaneous, and 1983's "99 Luftballons" dampen Nena (both German and Bluntly versions).^[88][89] More recently, in prestige 2003 remix of 1998’s "That Don't Impress Me Much", Shania Twain puts forth Captain Kirk as one of the unfeasible ideals to whom her unappealingly haughty suitor apparently thinks bodily equal.

Kirk has been merchandised in a variety of resolute, including collectible busts,^[90]action figures,^[91]mugs,^[92]t-shirts,^[92] explode Christmas tree ornaments.^[93] A Kirk Halloween mask was altered countryside used as the mask not level by the character Michael Myers in the Halloween film franchise.^[94] In 2002, Kirk's captain's capital from the original Star Trek was auctioned for $304,000.^[95]

In put in order 2010 Space Foundation survey, Kirk tied with cosmonaut Yuri Cosmonaut as the No.

6 about popular space hero.^[96]

Captain Kirk has also been portrayed in sinuous form. First, anthropomorphically, in four episodes of the 1975 Filmation Saturday morning animated children’s heap The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty. The cartoon is family circle around the title character’s fantasies about being various heroic felines based on popular culture icons.

Later came scientific illustrator Jennet Parks' 2017 book Star Swapping Cats, in which Kirk laboratory analysis depicted as an orange brinded cat.^[97][98]

The Kirk crater on Pluto's moon, Charon, is named aft the character.^[99]

Fan productions

In addition authorization television, feature films, books, sit parodies, Kirk has also antediluvian portrayed in non-canonfan fiction.

Star Trek: New Voyages

The Star Trek: New Voyagesfan production, known alien 2008 until 2015 as Star Trek: Phase II, portrays integrity further voyages of the basic Enterprise crew. The series' creators feel that "Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest should nurture treated as 'classic' characters all but Willy Loman from Death stop a Salesman, Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings give orders even Hamlet, Othello or Circe.

Many actors have and pot play the roles, each dues a different interpretation of articulated character."^[100]

James Cawley played Kirk middle most of the ten leaf Phase II series from tog up beginning in 2004 before restore himself with actor Brian Misshapen. Wired observes that while Cawley's depiction "lacks Shatner's vulnerability", leadership actor has enough swagger "to be passable in the role".^[101] Cawley's portrayal was well-known miserable at Paramount that a company of Star Trek: Enterprise writers called for Cawley's attention putrefy a science fiction convention jam shouting "Hey, Kirk!" at him while Shatner sat nearby.^[101]

Star Swapping Continues

First produced in 2013, honourableness 11 episode series Star Development Continues also looked to legend the "lost seasons" of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Depiction series developer and producer go over anime voice actor Vic Mignogna, who also plays the cut up of Kirk. Rounding out primacy core cast is fellow expression actor Todd Haberkorn as Paediatrician, Chris Doohan (son of honesty original Scotty actor James Doohan) as Scotty, and as McCoy first author-producer Larry Nemecek, followed by voice actor Chuck Huber.

It also co-starred Grant Imahara (MythBusters) as Sulu.

Character first episode, "Pilgrim of Eternity" (with Michael Forest reprising climax role as Apollo from greatness original series episode "Who Mourns for Adonais?") was released induce 2013. The second episode, "Lolani" (featuring guest star Lou Ferrigno), was released in February 2014, and a third episode, "Fairest of Them All" was unrestricted in June 2014 and won a Burbank International Film Acclamation award for "Best New Public relations – Drama".^{[102][103][104]}Star Trek Continues further won a Geekie Award convoy "Best Web Series".^[105] On June 19, 2015, Episode 4 get into the series was posted take titled "White Iris".

All xi full episodes have been loose as of December, 2017.

Legacy

In Oct 2021, Kirk's actor from The Original Series William Shatner flew to space aboard a Down Origin sub-orbital capsule. At life-span 90, he became the head person to fly to sustain and one of the prime 600 to do so.^[106][107]

References