Except for his singing, William Shatner is a more than competent talent.
His current show, which I was prepared to dislike, actually is often quite good, and Shatner makes this seemingly loathsome person, into an often quite caring man...it reminds me of my late cousin, a loud, crude pawn broker (I thought), but when somebody needed to step up in the family when there was a crisis, it was he.

Shatner also conducts an interview program which I've seen parts of two episodes, and he's really into it.

So, no, it wouldn't be necessary to invent him; he has earned his spot in this world and the various media.