In the Star Trek franchise, there have been a total of five actors who have taken on the role of Captain James T. Kirk. While William Shatner is undoubtedly the most iconic and well-known portrayal of the character, he is not the only one to have donned the captain's chair.
1. William Shatner: Shatner originated the role of Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series, which aired from 1966 to 1969. His portrayal of Kirk became synonymous with the character and helped to solidify the show's popularity. Shatner's portrayal was charismatic, confident, and at times, even larger than life.
2. Chris Pine: In 2009, director J.J. Abrams rebooted the Star Trek film franchise with the movie simply titled “Star Trek.” Chris Pine was cast as a younger version of Captain Kirk, portraying the character in a fresh and modern way. Pine's portrayal showcased a more reckless and impulsive Kirk, still driven by his desire to explore the unknown.
3. Jim Meskimen: While not as well-known as Shatner or Pine, Jim Meskimen also took on the role of Captain Kirk in the fan-made web series “Star Trek Continues.” This series aimed to continue the story of the original Star Trek series and Meskimen's portrayal paid homage to Shatner's iconic performance.
4. Vic Mignogna: Another actor who portrayed Captain Kirk in the “Star Trek Continues” web series was Vic Mignogna. Similar to Meskimen, Mignogna's portrayal aimed to capture the essence of Shatner's performance while adding his own interpretation to the character.
5. Anson Mount: Most recently, Anson Mount portrayed Captain Kirk's predecessor, Captain Christopher Pike, in the second season of the television series “Star Trek: Discovery.” Mount's portrayal showcased a more reserved and thoughtful captain, offering a different perspective on leadership within the Star Trek universe.
Each actor brought their own unique interpretation and style to the character of Captain James T. Kirk. While Shatner's portrayal remains the most iconic, the other actors have also contributed to the rich tapestry of Star Trek and have helped to keep the character alive and relevant in different iterations of the franchise.