William Shatner has revealed that in June 2023 he was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma that had spread to his lungs and brain. At the same time, his daughter Melanie was battling stage 4 breast cancer.
Fortunately, both father and daughter were declared cancer-free by late 2024. They are now sharing their story ahead of the launch of a new podcast series, No Time but Now, on which they will interview health experts and fellow cancer survivors.
Shatner told People that his diagnosis came after he discovered a lump on the back of his neck and was urged by a plastic surgeon friend to have it examined. He subsequently underwent surgery to remove the tumor, followed by two years of immunotherapy targeting the cancer in his lungs and brain.
“I remember vividly thinking, ‘I don’t have the strength to take care of myself and lose my father at the same time,’” Melanie told People of learning about her father’s diagnosis while undergoing treatment herself.
Shatner, however, maintained a positive outlook: “They said, ‘You’ve got cancer. If you came in later, you would have been dead.’ See? That’s my life. I think the universe is taking care of me.”
With cancer behind him, Shatner is also moving ahead with plans for his first-ever heavy metal album. The forthcoming project will see the 95-year-old Shatner cover songs by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, and more, backed by supergroup led by ex-Megadeth axeman Chris Poland. Shatner also plans to debut the project live at Riot Fest in Chicago this fall.
“Metal has always been a place where imagination gets loud,” Shatner said of the project. “This album is a gathering of forces — each artist bringing their fire, their precision, their chaos. I chose them because they have something to say, and because metal demands honesty.”
“I’ve spent a lifetime exploring in both reality and fiction. Now I am stepping out into the unknown once again with my new project in heavy metal.”
