He wrote once that his theory of managing your career was to work every chance you got. He also had a role in “Judgment at Nuremberg”. I believe he also raised Arabian horses, and he’s written - probably with help - a bunch of books.
He’s done more than the rest of the cast combined, so the claims that he hogged the series rings hollow with me. When you are telling a story in 40 minutes, you don’t have time for a lot of wandering around.
I’d respect the others a lot more if they said something like, “We had 3 years where Shatner and Nimoy carried the show, and then I went on with my life. Great memories, though!”
You make a very good point. I don’t think there were any residuals in those days. But the fact that the series did so well in reruns, lead to the movies. And as a supporting actor, I’d feel pretty good about Shatner for giving some movie roles, a nice pay check. And a bit of fame I couldn’t achieve on my own.