He must undergo surgery after horse riding accident - William Shatner faces shoulder surgery after a brutal horseback riding fall
William Shatner, the 94-year-old actor best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, is set to undergo shoulder surgery after a serious riding accident. The injury happened late last year when his horse made a sudden lunge, causing a hard fall that shattered his shoulder.
Despite the pain, Shatner recently attended the Saturn Awards to collect an honour on behalf of the Star Trek franchise.
The accident occurred while Shatner was horseback riding. During a fast manoeuvre, the horse lurched sideways, throwing him off balance. Though he tried to roll with the fall using skills from his stuntman days, he hit the ground hard and suffered a shattered shoulder.
Doctors have scheduled a 'reverse shoulder replacement'—a specialised prosthesis—for March 11. This follows a brief hospital stay a few months ago due to a temporary blood sugar issue.
Shatner's career has spanned decades beyond Star Trek. After the original series ended in 1969, he reprised Kirk in animated episodes, six films, and a cameo in The Next Generation. He also starred in T.J. Hooker, won Emmys for The Practice and Boston Legal, and even flew to space with Blue Origin at 90. Yet, he admits he has never watched all 79 episodes of the original Star Trek due to time constraints.
He once said the show's lasting appeal lies in its portrayal of human flaws through alien characters. Beyond acting, he has hosted Rescue 911, appeared in films like Airplane II, competed on Dancing with the Stars, and released music albums.
The surgery aims to repair Shatner's shoulder with a reverse prosthesis. Recovery will determine how soon he can return to public appearances and projects. For now, the actor remains active, having recently attended the Saturn Awards despite his injury.
