William Shatner denies hospitalization rumors
Rep says the 94-year-old Star Trek icon is healthy after online reports of a medical emergency
William Shatner is not hospitalized, despite online reports of a medical emergency at his Los Angeles home. Two representatives told Fox News Digital on Thursday that he was not hospitalized and is in good health. "Mr. Shatner was not hospitalized. I spoke to him yesterday. He is 100% healthy," one representative said. "There was no medical emergency, and Mr. Shatner is totally fine."
The 94-year-old 'Star Trek' icon had been the subject of online speculation after outlets reported he was rushed to a hospital. Shatner's own social media posts appeared to contradict the rumors: a photo of himself with the caption "Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated" and an Instagram note that he had "over indulged" but was "perfectly fine" and advising followers not to trust tabloids or AI.
The statements from Shatner's representatives come as the industry's attention to the actor's health has periodically resurfaced in recent years. The actor, who turned 94 this year, remains actively engaged in film, television and charitable work.
Shatner's history in space and Trek is a defining thread in his public life. In October 2021, he traveled to space aboard Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin NS-18 mission from West Texas' Launch Site One, becoming the oldest person to fly to space. Bezos has credited Shatner with helping inspire that historic flight. Shatner described the emotional moment of returning from space, saying he wept upon landing and that the journey, intended as a celebration, briefly felt like a funeral.
He first portrayed Captain James T. Kirk in the original Star Trek series, which ran from 1966 to 1969, a role that would define his career and echo through decades of film and television.
In a separate note about health, Shatner has publicly discussed another ongoing challenge. In a video for the nonprofit Tinnitus Quest, he described how tinnitus began after exposure to an explosion while filming a Star Trek episode called "Arena." Diagnosed in the 1990s, he said there are no widely effective treatments for the condition, but he has dedicated his platform to raising money for a cure.
The Fox News Digital report credited contributions from Stephanie Nolasco and Christina Dugan Ramirez, and Fox News Digital will continue to monitor for any official updates. Fans are encouraged to rely on verified statements from Shatner's representatives and his own social channels for the latest information.
