William Shatner jokes about death after medical scare at 94

William Shatner, the 94-year-old actor best known for portraying Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series, addressed reports of a health scare with a light touch on social media after a day of conflicting reports about a possible hospitalization.

Shatner was said to have experienced a medical emergency related to his blood sugar late Wednesday afternoon at his Los Angeles home. Sources familiar with the matter told TMZ that he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, though his talent agency later disputed that claim, saying he had not been hospitalized. On Thursday, Shatner posted to Instagram with the caption, “Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.” He added, “I over indulged. I thank you all for caring but I’m perfectly fine.”

The Instagram note came as fans and Trekkies monitored updates about the actor, who remains active in film and television projects. In the days leading up to his post, he had been on the road for fan appearances, including Dragon Con in Atlanta, where he participated in a panel last month. Talent agency representatives told ABC 7 News that he did not go to the hospital. The discrepancy between sources and social media posts underscored the ongoing public interest in Shatner’s health and schedule as he juggles a busy slate of projects listed on IMDb.

The episode comes more than a year after Shatner publicly disclosed he is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with stage IV melanoma. He said he had surgery and later underwent immunotherapy to treat the cancer, though he did not specify when the treatment occurred. Managed Healthcare Executive, citing the actor in a broader discussion of his health journey, noted that the melanoma diagnosis followed a prior cancer scare and emphasized Shatner’s openness about his medical history. NBC News has also reported on Shatner’s cancer experience, reflecting the actor’s long history with health challenges.

Shatner has faced other health-related moments in the past. In 2016, he described a prostate cancer scare that turned out to be a false alarm after a spike in PSA levels—something he attributed to testosterone supplements he had been taking at the time and subsequently stopped using. “That was really scary,” he recalled to NBC News, adding that a doctor had told him he had a terminal illness before the PSA spike was explained. He later attributed the misdiagnosis to factors surrounding his treatment and health decisions.

Beyond health updates, Shatner remains closely associated with Star Trek lore. He played Captain Kirk through the original 1966–1969 run and then reprised the role for the animated series and the early films, including Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The broader Star Trek franchise featured a cast that included Leonard Nimoy as Spock, DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy, James Doohan as Scotty, and Nichelle Nichols as Uhura. Over the years, Shatner has pursued a range of acting roles, including the 1980s police drama T. J. Hooker and the Oscar-winning Miss Congeniality, in which he appeared alongside star Sandra Bullock.</n Shatner’s career in recent years has kept him in the public eye through film projects and frequent fan events. He has three acting projects listed on IMDb and continues to engage with fans at conventions and appearances, including Dragon Con, where he appeared as recently as last month. This ongoing schedule sits alongside personal stories about his life, including his long-running relationship history and his love of horses, a hobby he shares with his fourth ex-wife Elizabeth Martin, with whom he has been linked publicly in the past.

The relationship history surrounding Shatner has drawn media attention for years. His four marriages have included Elizabeth Martin, whom he wed in the early 2000s after a prior separation and reunion during the COVID-19 era. Reports have circulated about potential remarriage rumors, though representatives have at times denied new nuptials. In interviews and his memoirs, Shatner has described his approach to relationships in pragmatic terms, emphasizing the complexities of balancing personal life with a high-profile career. He has three daughters, Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie, from his first marriage, and has discussed his family life in various public forums over the years.

As Shatner moves forward, his public image remains that of a prolific, storied performer who has weathered serious health challenges with a humility and humor that resonates with fans around the world. The actor’s social-media message of resilience—downplaying a health scare while acknowledging his ongoing work—fits a pattern of candid updates that fans have come to expect from a performer who has long embraced the spotlight. With Love of theatre and screen still fueling new roles, Shatner’s next projects and public appearances will likely continue to draw attention from both science-fiction communities and broader entertainment audiences.