The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) — the organization behind the Emmys — on Monday named William Shatner as one of the latest inductees to the academy's Hall of Fame.

''The Television Academy's Hall of Fame honors a lifetime of excellence and is a special recognition for those who have made significant contributions that will leave an indelible mark on the television business," said Dick Askin, academy chairman.

Described by Broadcasting & Cable as "the poster-actor for second acts, having shattered the typecast of Captain Kirk with the equally memorable Denny Crane of ABC's Boston Legal," Shatner owns two Emmys for playing that latter character (first as a Guest Actor on The Practice then Supporting Actor on Boston Legal). He also earned an Emmy nomination for playing "The Big Giant Head" on 3rd Rock from the Sun.

ATAS has not yet announced a date for the induction ceremony, but a spokeswoman said it will take place this year, in Hollywood. We will provide updates as they become available.

Shatner was one of five inductees in the latest round of selections (it is not an annual ritual). The others are former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, comedy director James Burrows, producer Leonard Goldberg and talk show host Regis Philbin.

The ATAS announcement notes that Shatner is "one of pop culture's most recognized figures," and that he has "cultivated a career as a professional actor, director, producer, screenwriter, recording artist, author, horseman, and Hollywood philanthropist."

Hall of Fame candidates are submitted by academy members and the industry at large to the selection committee, which decides on inductees by vote. That committee included Leslie Moonves, chairman and CEO of CBS Corp.; Gail Berman, president of Paramount Pictures; Dawn Ostroff, president of entertainment for The CW; and other industry executives.

Since 1984, more than 100 actors, writers, executives, producers, directors and craftspeople have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Among the ranks of inductees are Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Walter Cronkite, Milton Berle, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Mary Tyler Moore, Oprah Winfrey and Carl Reiner.

Shatner is the first Star Trek-related personality chosen for this honor.