Amazing rehabilitation of his reputation
So many people don't seem to know or remember that in the 1970s and 80s he was perceived to be a complete asshole - and I say that as a fan. He was embarrassed by Star Trek, and frustrated that his self-image as a great Shakespearean actor was going by the wayside for some three year tv show he did to make ends meet. He was generally rude to fans (who were, admittedly, annoying as hell) and oh-so-very-serious about his image as an Actor.
In general, I was sympathetic, because Star Trek, while excellent tv, was just a tv show. He didn't want it to define his career, let alone his life, but so many of his fans did, and didn't understand his resentment.
But at some point around 1990 he learned to fake being reconciled to being Captain Kirk. He pretended to learn to laugh at himself - and at some point maybe he really made that leap.
People today don't even realize what a 180 he did.