Fun Facts About Star Trek Character, Captain James T. Kirk

Captain James T. Kirk, the second captain of the Starship Enterprise on Star Trek is also the most famous. With strength, wit, honor and a savvy way with the ladies - human and alien alike - Kirk's character has been an inspiration. His character has also been the object of many jokes over the years. The person who first gave us this icon of television and movies is William Shatner.

Fun Fact #1: His full name is James Tiberius Kirk. That's probably why he commonly goes by James T. Kirk or just James Kirk.

Fun Fact #2: James Kirk would replace Captain Christopher Pike as played by Jeffrey Hunter in the pilot episode of Star Trek.

Fun Fact #3: After seeing the pilot episode, The Cage, William Shatner realized that the captain of the Enterprise needed to deliver both shock and awe. With Shatner's background in Shakespearean productions, he definitely gave his character these qualities.

Fun Fact #4: Shatner once wrote that James Kirk was a man who would always be marveled and always be appreciative of the surprises he would discover in the universe. Shatner also realized that his Captain Kirk did not take things for granted. The actor really brought this awesome character of fiction to life in a way that you don't see anymore.

Fun Fact #5: In Starfleet Academy, Captain Kirk was the first person to beat the dreaded Kobayashi Maru test. Supposedly, it was an unbeatable test of character. Kirk "changed the conditions of the test" to finally make winning a possiblity.

Fun Fact #6: From there, Kirk got advanced training as an ensign aboard the starship, USS Republic.

Fun Fact #7: From there, Kirk was promoted to lieutenant junior grade and went back to Starfleet Academy as a student instructor.

Fun Fact #8: Upon graduation, Kirk was now a lieutenant. He went on to serve aboard the USS Farragut.

Fun Fact #9: Kirk was one of the survivors aboard the Farragut when it was attacked.

Fun Fact #10: Kirk became the youngest starship captain when he received command of the USS Enterprise for a 5-year mission.

Fun Fact #11: Kirk was born and raised in Riverside, Iowa.

Fun Fact #12: According to several Star Trek-based novels, Kirk's parents have been identified as George and Winona Kirk.

Fun Fact #13: Also, according to the novels, Captain Kirk's brother was Sam Kirk. He and his wife were killed.

Fun Fact #14: In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, Kirk's illegitimate son, David Marcus was introduced into his life.

Fun Fact #15: In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Kirk's son, David is killed by a mercenary Klingon seeking the "Genesis device," stewing feelings in Kirk of hate for the Klingons that was never there before.

Fun Fact #16: There is actually a plaque in Riverside, Iowa that is marked as Captain Kirk's "future birthplace."

Fun Fact #17: Kirk once regarded Mr. Spock as his "brother."

Fun Fact #18: Kirk "doesn't like to lose."

Fun Fact #19: Captain James T. Kirk has been portrayed by numerous people on numerous shows for great laughs. Jim Carrey played a brilliant James Kirk when he was on In Living Color. James Belushi was wonderful as a much fatter Kirk in a skit on Saturday Night Live. You can see several Kirk-related jokes on The Simpsons and Family Guy, and they were all hilarious. Heck, you might even say, "Pigs in Space" on Jim Henson's The Muppet Show was a direct mockery of Kirk and his Enterprise crew.

Fun Fact #20: In Star Trek: Generations, Captain James T. Kirk died while trying to help the 24th century captain of the Enterprise, Jean Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) defeat the madman, Soran in his attempt to live forever in a dream basically. He always knew that he would die without Spock and McCoy by his side, and Kirk was right.