Niagara Falls Mayor gives Captain Kirk the city’s key at Comic Con
Published June 7, 2022 at 2:08 pm
When Mayor Jim Diodati gave Captain Kirk, aka Canadian actor William Shatner, the Key to the City of Niagara Falls on the weekend at the Niagara Falls Comic Con, it turned into a huge bonus for children’s charities.
Shatner signed the glass case with a silver highlight marker and the key got auctioned off by the pair to a couple for $16,500.
“What an honour it was to present a Key to the City to a very special Canadian William Shatner at the Niagara Falls Comic Con this afternoon (June 4),” said Diodati afterwards.
“Best known for his signature role as Captain Kirk on Star Trek, he became one of our living room heroes and one of my all time favourites, emulating how to lead and imparting us with worldly wisdom. He opened our eyes to the world that was out there and our imaginations to what is possible.”
“It was a dream come true to meet him today and to hear him speak of his adventures and philosophy of life. Let’s not forget he was launched into space in 2021 at the age of 90 – what a superstar!”
Diodati praised local artist Rea Kelly for painting William Shatner’s custom key with a stellar space theme.
“What a special memento for the lucky couple who purchased the autographed key after the presentation in a live auction, benefitting charity… such an enterprising and philanthropic idea, Captain Kirk!”
Diodati told a Hamilton TV show, “For me, growing up he was one of my childhood heroes. I said to him, ‘You’re Captain Kirk for me.’ I was an average kid growing up, nothing special or outstanding about me. The fact that his name is Jim – and I’m saying this in front of several hundred people – I told him, ‘You know the fact we share the same name…’ and he stopped me and said, ‘You know it’s (Jim) not my real name, right?'”
“I told him that because of sharing the same name, do you know how many times I’ve heard ‘Dammit, Jim!’?” quipped Diodati, referring to the frustrated refrain that the show’s doctor often admonished the captain.