William Shatner is set to be on the operating table very soon.
The iconic actor revealed that the aftermath of his fall, which he suffered while horseback riding, is catching up with him and has left him in a great deal of pain. The operation is supposedly to fix his shattered right shoulder and ultimately leave him pain-free.
Besides his roles on TV shows of different genres, William Shatner has shown his adventurous side over the years. His age and health issues do not deter his love for outdoor activities, especially horse riding, biking, and even space travel.
William Shatner Suffered A Horseback Riding Accident
Shatner recently revealed that he has an upcoming surgery he cannot avoid. He shared the update during the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films’ 53rd annual Saturn Awards in Burbank, Calif., on Sunday. The actor explained the reason for the surgery, telling viewers that he suffered a scary incident late last year while riding one of his horses.
He revealed that due to the nasty fall, he had shattered his right shoulder; hence, he must undergo surgery, scheduled for March 11, to repair the debilitating injury. After he accepted the Hall of Fame Award on behalf of the “Star Trek” franchise, he spoke to some media outlets but asked to sit through the interviews, saying he felt “old, tired, and kind of hurt.”
Page Six reports that to the best of his ability, Shatner tried to explain the details of the surgery. He said it was a new type of shoulder operation called “a reverse something or other.” In an attempt to further describe the operation, the TV star said, “You put the ball in the socket and the socket in the thing, and you come out 10 hours later, and you’re pain-free. So that’s what I am meandering towards.”
Inside The ‘Star Trek’ Alum’s Terrifying Accident
The actor, who received a standing ovation from the star-studded audience at the Saturn Awards on Sunday, shared details about how his accident occurred with the outlets.
“I ride the horses that can compete in equine skills, which is fast down and ends on a sliding stop,” he explained. “And the horse that I owned, I came off.” Shatner continued, “And she had a habit of going too far, like six inches to the side. And I’m riding it. And I’m ready. And she goes too fast and sends him flying.”
Shatner is an avid equestrian who breeds and shows American Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses at his ranches in Kentucky and California. He noted that he tried to lessen the impact of his fall through his experience as a stuntman, but was still left injured and in pain.
“I’m not a young stuntman anymore. I started to roll, but hit the dirt with my shoulder. So I wrecked my shoulder,” the 94-year-old Hollywood star said.
The ‘Boston Legal’ Star Previously Expressed Gratitude For Good Health
Like many others, Shatner has suffered several health scares over the years, including a mysterious medical emergency he had last September, rumored to be about his blood sugar. His agent, Harry Gold, claimed that he had to call for emergency medical workers to the TV star’s Los Angeles home.
His health battles have filled the hearts of fans with worry, who hope and pray that he remains in good health amid life challenges.
Last Thanksgiving, the iconic actor, who celebrated the holiday with his family, shared that when counting his blessings, good health was at the top of the list. “I am especially thankful this year as we are blessed beyond measure with health, family, and a beautiful gathering,” He wrote on Instagram.
The two-time Emmy Award winner was also diagnosed with stage four melanoma, for which he underwent immunotherapy. According to Mayo Clinic, Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that make the pigment that gives skin its color. The pigment is called melanin. It usually starts on parts of the skin that are exposed to sunlight, like the neck, arms, and legs.
The Blast also reported that Shatner revealed that at the time, his doctors gave him just five months to live if the treatment failed.
The Entertainer Previously Shared He Has A Career-Inflicted Illness
Last year, the TV star popularly known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk revealed a condition he had kept in the shadows for years. He disclosed that he has suffered from Tinnitus for over three decades, which he believes is a result of an explosion on set.
The permanent hearing condition began after filming the “Star Trek” episode “Arena,” where he was too close to the special effects explosion. He explained that the condition has been difficult to manage, but over the years, his brain has adapted to the sound.
As shared by The Blast, Shatner revealed that he discovered he had Tinnitus while he was on the beach. He explained that he kept hearing the sound of a wave going out even when another one was preparing to roar. The “Boston Legal” star has used his voice to raise awareness for the condition in the quest to one day find a cure.
William Shatner’s Space Travel
One thing Shatner did not allow age to take away from him is his adventurous spirit. In 2021, the actor made history for being the oldest living person to travel to space at the age of 90.
The Canadian actor detailed his experience in his new book, “Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder,” including his experience at Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. He revealed that he felt an overwhelming sense of sadness when he returned to Earth. Shatner penned how he loved the thrilling mystery of the universe.
“My trip to space was supposed to be a celebration; instead, it felt like a funeral,” he detailed. “It was among the strongest feelings of grief I have ever encountered. The contrast between the vicious coldness of space and the warm nurturing of Earth below filled me with overwhelming sadness.”
The Blast shared that Shatner thanked Bezos for the profound experience of traveling to space, saying that he hopes to never recover from the feeling.
Wishing William Shatner a safe surgery and quick recovery!