Star Trek Celebrates 60 Years of Diversity and Multigenerational Appeal

In March 2026, William Shatner (95) and George Takei (89) sat down with AARP to mark the 60th anniversary of the series that debuted on Sept. 8, 1966. Both actors praised the franchise’s endurance, noting that fans “gave us this totally unexpected, undreamed-of longevity.” Their comments underscore how the show has expanded from the original three-season run into a sprawling universe of films, animated series, streaming titles, novels, podcasts and conventions.

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The original series broke television norms by featuring an Asian helmsman (Takei’s Hikaru Sulu), a Black communications officer, and a half-alien science officer as integral crew members. Takei described his role as “the first time that I was being asked to portray a character that was fully developed,” emphasizing that Sulu was “an identifiable, sharp, intelligent member of a Starfleet team.” Shatner added that the series succeeded because “the foreground was what happens because you’re a human being,” highlighting the human-centered storytelling that allowed diverse characters to belong without explanation.

AARP

Takei observes that today “Star Trek is a family show,” with its “most steady audience members…grandpas and grandmas.” He likens the franchise’s spin-offs to “children and grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren,” illustrating its appeal to multiple age groups. Shatner echoed this sentiment, recalling the “lovely people” he worked with and expressing gratitude for the continued relevance of the stories he helped create.

People Magazine

A description accompanying a studio model of the Enterprise at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum characterizes the crew as “an on-screen image of racial and gender integration, with men and women from different backgrounds working together as equals.” The museum’s statement reinforces the series’ long-standing role as a visual benchmark for inclusive representation.

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• “Although the background was futuristic, the foreground was what happens because you’re a human being,” — William Shatner, 95, AARP interview

AARP

• “It was the first time that I was being asked to portray a character that was fully developed,” — George Takei, 89, AARP interview

AARP

• “The fans who discovered it gave us this totally unexpected, undreamed-of longevity,” — George Takei, 89, AARP interview

People Magazine

• “‘Live long and prosper’ should include gratitude,” — George Takei, 89, AARP interview

People Magazine

• “My memory of Star Trek is filled with the lovely people in it,” — William Shatner, 95, AARP interview

People Magazine