William Shatner, 95, and his daughter Melanie Shatner Gretsch, 61, revealed they battled stage 4 cancer at the same time several years ago. Shatner was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma in June 2023, which had spread to his lungs and brain. Melanie was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer that had spread to lymph nodes in her chest after discovering a lump in July 2022.
A Father’s Support During Treatment
Melanie described her father’s unwavering support during her chemotherapy, recalling a moment when she called him in distress. Shatner arrived at her home and reassured her with a comforting hug, telling her, 'This is going to be a blip in your life. You’re going to get through this, and it’ll be a memory.' She underwent 18 months of treatment, including multiple rounds of chemo, 30 radiation sessions, and a double mastectomy. Shatner also covered her medical bills, joking that she needed to recover quickly to avoid financial ruin.
Melanie’s Initial Diagnosis and Treatment
Melanie first noticed a lump on her breast in July 2022, initially mistaking it for a bug bite. Despite a clean mammogram five months earlier, she insisted on further testing. A technician initially missed the abnormality, but after Melanie pointed it out, the scan confirmed the cancer had spread. She expressed concern for her family’s future and the financial burden of treatment, but her father’s support helped her through the ordeal.
Shatner’s Cancer Battle
Shatner, known for his role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, revealed his stage 4 melanoma diagnosis in 2024. He remained optimistic, telling his daughter, 'The universe is taking care of me.' Melanie recalled her fear of losing her father while battling her own illness, but his strength helped her persevere.
Family and Legacy
Melanie is a mother of two daughters and the youngest child of Shatner and his late ex-wife Gloria Rand. The family’s shared experience has strengthened their bond, with Shatner’s resilience serving as a source of inspiration for Melanie during her treatment.