Wil Wheaton is best known for portraying Wesley Crusher on the science fiction TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation and Gordie Lachance in the film Stand by Me. He appeared regularly as a fictionalized version of himself on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, and other television credits include Leverage, Eureka, The Outer Limits, Diagnosis: Murder, Criminal Minds, Supergirl and S.W.A.T. Wheaton has also worked as a voice actor in animation, video games and audiobooks.

On April 12, 2022, Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir, was published as an updated version of Wheaton’s 2004 memoir,  Just a Geek: Unflinchingly Honest Tales of the Search for Life, Love and Fulfillment Beyond the Starship Enterprise. In Still Just a Geek, the celebrated actor, personality and all-around nerd, reexamines one of the most interesting lives in Hollywood and fandom.

In a current interview with Smashing Interviews Magazine, Wheaton recounted the controversy surrounding his first meeting with Star Trek icon William Shatner.

The following excerpt recalls that experience:

Smashing Interviews Magazine: I read the story in Still Just a Geek about your awkward initial encounter with William Shatner. The New York Post shared that story, and Shatner made a statement about it. He said, “I have no recollection of this event. Others on set say it never happened. I actually have apologized to him a few times even though I don’t remember it, and he accepted my apology. Now that must also be forgotten? He must need the publicity for some project.” What say you?

Wil Wheaton: (laughs) First of all, Bill, thank you so much for telling everyone who follows you that I have a new book out. I really appreciate that. That was incredibly helpful, and I’m very grateful for that. Listen. I don’t expect Bill to remember this thing that happened 35 years ago. But I do. It was very hurtful to me, and it was incredibly impactful for me. Of course, I’m going to remember it in the way that he doesn’t. The fact that he doesn’t remember it does not make it untrue.

A couple of years ago, someone who was very much like a photo double of his said, “Oh, that story isn’t true.” The thing is, that guy wasn’t there when it happened (laughs). The reason I laugh about it is it’s easy to get mad about it. It’s gaslighting exactly the way my parents gaslighted me like, “No. That didn’t happen. You made it all up.” And, of course, if it did happen, it must somehow have been my fault. Bill did apologize, and I was and am grateful for that. I still have the note that he wrote me where he said, “You’re a fine young actor. I would love to have you on my bridge anytime.” It was extremely kind, and I’m very grateful that he did it.

We’ve seen each other a number of times since this thing happened, and most of the time, Bill’s pretty cool. This is the reality of Bill Shatner. Some days, he’s a wonderful guy. He’s funny. He’s so funny. He’s charming. He’s a great storyteller. Other times, he’s a real jerk. He can be an internet troll online. I don’t know why he chooses to be that way. But the reality is that he’s a complicated dude, and you never really know who’s going to show up. I don’t know what else to say. He can say he doesn’t remember, and I believe that to be true. It doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Smashing Interviews Magazine: Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek: The Original Series, was involved in that, too, and made William Shatner apologize?

Wil Wheaton: The way I understand it, Gene went to bat for me. All of my cast and crew went to bat for me. I was a kid who was so bullied as a child. The bully across the street shot me with his BB gun. I went inside and was like, “Mom and Dad, help me!” They would not do anything. No one ever stood up for me. When I was in fifth grade and struggling with math because Mom was forcing me to go on auditions, and I had to do my homework in the car, a teacher made me stay after school. She sat me outside the classroom door so I could be humiliated sitting there when all my classmates were in afterschool daycare playing kickball. My parents never stood up for me then. No one ever stood up for me.

That time on the set of Next Generation after this happened, all these adults who I loved and respected, including Gene Roddenberry, stood up for me and had my back. That was incredible and one of the reasons I am so dedicated to having other people's backs. I want to be very clear about something else because you brought this up. I have no hard feelings toward Bill Shatner. You know what I mean? That was 35 years ago. I’ve seen him a bunch of times. It’s not like I’m talking shit behind his back. He knows about this. It’s been in the air for 20 years, right?

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About the authors:

Marc Parker is an American journalist, author, artist, a photographer and a computer scientist. He is the founder/publisher/editor-in-chief of Smashing Interviews Magazine. Marc Parker's social media: Twitter Facebook

Melissa Benefield Parker is an American journalist and author. She is the founder/publisher of Smashing Interviews Magazine. Melissa Benefield Parker's social media: Twitter Facebook