Most people who pass a kidney stone would happily never see it again, but William Shatner’s experience took an unexpected turn. The Star Trek actor’s small black kidney stone, which he assumed had been discarded after removal, became an unusual fundraising item when a Canadian gambling company expressed interest in buying it. The stone was eventually auctioned for $75,000. Combined with a contribution from his Boston Legal co-stars, the proceeds helped provide a home in Louisiana for a family of five. Nearly two decades later, Shatner revisited the story on Dropping Names …and other things with Brent & Jonny, hosted by fellow Star Trek actors Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes. The episode was released on October 7, 2026.
An offer William Shatner couldn’t quite refuse
The company behind the unusual proposal was GoldenPalace.com, an online casino known for acquiring bizarre objects as publicity stunts. Its collection reportedly included a partially eaten cheese sandwich said to resemble the Virgin Mary.When the casino approached Shatner, he checked with his doctor to see whether the kidney stone had been retained. Fortunately, it had. What had once been a painful medical problem now offered an unexpected opportunity to raise money for charity.According to accounts of the 2006 transaction, the casino initially offered $15,000, which Shatner declined. The offer subsequently rose to $25,000. Recognising the publicity potential of the deal, Shatner sought $75,000, and the company agreed. The stone was later auctioned through Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles.The fundraising effort also involved his Boston Legal co-stars. Shatner recalled their contribution as $25,000 during his recent podcast appearance, although his account in 2006 put the figure at $20,000. Depending on which account is used, the combined total was either $100,000 or $95,000.
The kidney stone became an unlikely publicity stunt
Shatner found humour in the unusual transaction, joking about the stone’s size and the idea of turning it into jewellery. His willingness to laugh at himself helped make the story memorable, while the charitable purpose gave the sale significance beyond its novelty.For GoldenPalace.com, the purchase offered an unconventional way to attract attention. Shatner explained that the company faced restrictions on conventional advertising and was looking for alternative ways to generate publicity. Buying a celebrity’s kidney stone provided a distinctive story that attracted media coverage.The company reportedly planned to display the stone on tour, turning the medical curiosity into a promotional attraction. Meanwhile, the sale became part of a wider effort to support affordable housing.
How the money helped a family in Louisiana
The money raised through the auction and the cast’s contribution went to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organisation that helps people access safe and affordable housing. Shatner said the funds helped provide a home in Louisiana for a family of five.Recalling the outcome on the podcast, the actor said he believed the family was still living in the house the last time he checked. His account brought the story back to its central purpose: using an unusual fundraising opportunity to help people secure a place to live.The initiative brought together the casino’s publicity ambitions, Shatner’s willingness to part with an unusual personal possession and his co-stars’ support for the cause. Together, their contributions helped turn an extraordinary auction into practical housing assistance.The sale took place while Shatner was starring in Boston Legal, which ran from 2004 to 2008. He played attorney Denny Crane alongside James Spader, who portrayed Alan Shore. The series combined courtroom drama with comedy and became another notable chapter in Shatner’s long career.