Star Trek legend William Shatner, 95, has opened up about his battle with stage four melanoma, revealing he was diagnosed just months after his daughter Melanie Shatner Gretsch, 61, was told she had stage 4 breast cancer. Now, they have spoken candidly in a joint interview about facing life-threatening illnesses together, admitting the experience transformed their outlook on life after both were later declared cancer-free.
Diagnoses and Treatment
Melanie was diagnosed with stage four HER2-positive breast cancer in 2022, after discovering a lump in her breast. The actress was left devastated as it came just five months following a clear mammogram. Around a year later, William received his own devastating diagnosis. Doctors had discovered stage four melanoma, which had spread to his lungs and brain.
Speaking to People, William recalled the moment he sought medical help. He said, "I went to an oncologist... and they operated almost immediately with Stage 4 melanoma." Cancer UK states that Stage 4 melanoma is an advanced form of skin cancer that has spread beyond its original location to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, brain, or distant skin areas. It is also called metastatic melanoma.
Family Support and New Outlook
Melanie admitted she feared the worst after learning about her father's diagnosis, but said he remained remarkably optimistic throughout his treatment. "His response was like, 'I'm gonna be fine,'" she recalled. The pair supported one another through chemotherapy, surgery and immunotherapy, with William also revealing how close-knit their family became during the ordeal. "We're in a very together family," he said. "We're bonded by all kinds of difficulties that we overcame. And who knows what else we're going to overcome."
Melanie also shared one of her darkest moments during chemotherapy, when she became convinced she was close to dying. Now in remission, both William and Melanie are talking about surviving cancer in their new podcast, No Time But Now. Melanie revealed her father has found joy in life's simplest moments, explaining: "He gets more joy out of seeing a bird fly past his window and is more aware and has taught my sisters and I to be so aware of the sunrise and the blue sky."
Reflecting on his new outlook, William continued: "It's these miracles of life. If you let them go by, you lose your joy of living." Melanie echoed his feelings, saying: "It changed my life, all for the better."
