Urban legends are sometimes true. For example, it had been rumored for decades that the mask the killer Michael Myers wore in the Halloween films was in fact based on William Shatner's face. Not just Shatner's face, but a Captain Kirk death mask created for Star Trek. It's an old story, but for those who've not heard it before or have but don't know all the details, StarTrek.com is revisiting it now. And the story is very, very true.

Rick Sternbach, who worked as illustrator/designer on Star Trek: The Motion Picture, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Nemesis -- posted the following on his Facebook page a few years back:

"There are a number of historical threads through various production people over the years that validate that; I've got one of those threads here (I've told this story once or twice before). I was hired as an illustrator on Halloween 2 in 1981, working for production designer J. Michael Riva. In a supply cabinet at Pumpkin Pie Productions, we had one mask left from the original Halloween, and no idea where to get any others for the sequel. It appeared that we'd need to go check out some of the toys stores and such, but I noticed that there was some wording molded into the neck area. There was a model number, and 'Don Post Studios.' I made a call, read off the model number, and the word came back 'It's our Captain Kirk mask.' I asked if we could buy a number of them, and was told 'We'll give you a box, just give us credit.' With that, I turned the official dealings over to the higher-ups. Brush with greatness."

As if that weren't enough to confirm that Shatner/Kirk's mug indeed became that of the masked serial killer, here's an old video we found of Shatner himself discussing it -- and even revealing that he went trick or treating with his daughters one Halloween wearing a Michael Myers mask.

Scary, right?