William Shatner has dismissed sensationalised reports about his recent shoulder operation, insisting the procedure was far less dramatic than tabloids suggested.
The Star Trek icon, 94, took to social media on Thursday to correct claims that he had “shattered” his shoulder following a horse-riding incident late last year.
“So I understand that tabloids say my shoulder was shattered. Dramatic. Colorful. Completely untrue,” he wrote on Instagram alongside an image of an injured shoulder. “It was a routine procedure.”
The actor, who portrayed Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series, confirmed his swift recovery by announcing his attendance at an upcoming fan event.
“I’m so well that tomorrow I’ll be in Cleveland at a convention,” he added. “Remember that tabloids don’t let facts get in the way of a good headline.”
The accident occurred while Mr Shatner was practising competitive equestrian skills, which involve rapid descents culminating in sliding stops.
Speaking at the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films’ 53rd annual Saturn Awards in Burbank on 8 March, he explained that his horse had a tendency to drift sideways by several inches.
“And the horse that I owned, I came off,” he told attendees at the ceremony.
The mare’s habit of veering too far while moving at speed ultimately sent the veteran actor tumbling from the saddle.
Mr Shatner attempted to minimise the impact using techniques from his years of performing stunts, but his efforts proved insufficient.
“I started to roll, but hit the dirt with my shoulder,” he recounted. “So I wrecked my shoulder.”
The Boston Legal star described the operation as “a new type of shoulder operation called a reverse something or other” during his Saturn Awards appearance.
“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,” he quipped while attempting to explain the surgical technique. “So that’s what I am meandering towards.”
Prior to detailing his equestrian mishap, Mr Shatner acknowledged feeling “old, tired, and kind of hurt” as he accepted the Hall of Fame award on behalf of the Star Trek franchise.
The actor candidly admitted his limitations when reflecting on the fall.
“I’m not a young stuntman anymore,” he said, noting that his experience with on-set stunts had helped him brace for impact but could not prevent the injury.
This week’s surgery is not the first health concern Mr Shatner has faced in recent times.
In September 2025, the actor was taken to hospital after experiencing blood sugar problems at his residence, though he later reassured fans by joking that “rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
The following year, he revealed he had previously been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in 2024 and undergone treatment for the condition.
“They said if this treatment they used did not work, I had about 5 months,” he told Healio, recalling the gravity of his diagnosis.
Despite these health challenges, Mr Shatner has remained active in public life and continues to engage with fans.
The legendary actor will celebrate his 95th birthday on 22 March.
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