William Shatner's Kidney Stone Fetched $75,000 at Auction for Charity
The Star Trek actor revealed that a kidney stone he passed in 2006 was auctioned by a gambling company, with proceeds contributing to a Habitat for Humanity home.
William Shatner has shared the unusual story of how a kidney stone he passed in 2006 was auctioned for $75,000, with the funds going towards building a Habitat for Humanity house.
Appearing on the podcast Dropping Names with Brent and Jonny, Shatner, 95, recounted how a Canadian gambling company, seeking an alternative advertising method, purchased the kidney stone, also known as a nephrolith. "I have a kidney stone, and the guy takes it out, here it is, a little black pellet. Thank God it’s gone," Shatner said.
The actor, who was starring in the television drama Boston Legal at the time, explained that the gambling company auctioned the stone for $75,000. Combined with an additional $25,000 raised by the cast of Boston Legal, the total donation to Habitat for Humanity reached $100,000. Shatner stated that this enabled the construction of a home in Louisiana for a family of five.
This account differs slightly from a previous report by CBS News, which stated Shatner sold the stone for $25,000. Shatner's memoir, "William Shatner... And You," was published on August 31. In the book, he explores connections with fans and the impact of his work, drawing from interviews with individuals who shared how his career affected them.
Shatner recently appeared at New York Comic Con to mark the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, participating in a panel alongside Ben Stiller. During the event, he spoke about his late friend and Star Trek co-star Leonard Nimoy, calling him "my brother."