William Shatner, the iconic Star Trek actor, has openly contemplated his own mortality, acknowledging that he is aware that he doesn't have much time left and that his time on Earth is limited.

At the age of 91, Shatner has had a prosperous and extensive career in both television and film. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the Star Trek series, a role he initially assumed in 1966.

Despite already receiving Emmys and Golden Globes for his outstanding performance in Boston Legal, he made the daring decision in 2021 to launch himself into space aboard a Blue Origin sub-orbital capsule, subsequently setting the record for the oldest individual to travel to space.

He is presently reflecting on his remarkable accomplishments and personal experiences in a recently released documentary titled You Can Call Me Bill. The film covers a range of topics, from his time as Captain Kirk to his passion for the natural world.

Alexandre O. Philippe directs the documentary, which will debut at SXSW. The film is also a contemplation on the subject of mortality, which has been on the mind of the actor as he continues to age into his 90s.

When asked by Variety why he had chosen to create the documentary, Shatner provided a response.

He replied: "I've turned down a lot of offers to do documentaries before. But I don't have long to live. Whether I keel over as I'm speaking to you or 10 years from now, my time is limited, so that's very much a factor. I've got grandchildren. This documentary is a way of reaching out after I die."

The SXSW event will take place from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Shatner continued: "There was a time when actors, and I include myself in this, would portray death by falling to the ground and your eyes would flicker and you'd slump around and then you're dead. That's not how you die."

"This is how you die [Shatner's eyes go wide abruptly and his breath stops]. See? I'm dead. Ever put a dog down? When I have to put a dog down and I'm at the vet, I cup my dog's head and I say, 'I'm with you baby, I'm with you.' And the injection goes in and the dog looks at me with love, and that's it. You don't know they're dead."

"That's how you die. It's abrupt. My wife's brother walked out of the living room and into the bedroom. There was a thud. His wife walked in, and he was dead. Death comes anew to all of us."

SXSW 2023 runs from Friday 10 March to Sunday 19 March.