We’ve seen more actors play Captain James T. Kirk than you might think, but who played the Star Trek legend the best?
Star Trek is one of the most iconic franchises in all of television and film. It has entertained audiences for decades, with the saga’s various incarnations constantly reinventing it for new generations. But sometimes, you just can’t beat the classic stories and characters.
Few characters have commanded the USS Enterprise as impressively as Captain James T. Kirk, a Star Trek legend that has been portrayed by not one, not two, but three iconic and impressive actors in a span of six decades.
Kirk’s character is known to have delivered dramatic and memorable quotes and, although often recognized for the melodrama, Kirk’s character is far more complex than most give him credit for. Every actor who has taken up the role has brought their own interpretation to it, enriching the Star Trek universe. Without Captain James Tiberius Kirk, we wouldn’t have had Star Trek at all.
Three actors have played the confident Captain Kirk that we remember, all with their own unique renditions of the man who famously dismisses the concept of a no-win scenario rank among each other. However, they weren’t the only stars to bring him to life. Let’s take a look back at the five portrayals of the Star Trek legend.