William Shatner is sharing details of a frightening fall that left him seriously injured. The 94-year-old “Star Trek” legend revealed that he shattered his right shoulder after being thrown from one of his horses late last year.
Page Six reported that the injury was severe enough that doctors have now scheduled surgery to repair the damage.
Shatner, best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk on “Star Trek,” revealed details of the terrifying accident while attending the 53rd annual Saturn Awards in Burbank, California, where he appeared to accept a Hall of Fame honor for the “Star Trek” franchise.
How the Dangerous Fall Happened
During a brief conversation with reporters, the veteran actor asked for a chair and acknowledged he was still feeling the effects of the injury.
“I ride the horses that can compete in equine skills, which is fast down and ends on a sliding stop,” he explained, as reported by Page Six. “And the horse that I owned, I came off.”
Shatner said the accident happened while he was riding a horse trained for competitive equine skills. The actor recalled that the horse suddenly shifted in a way he did not anticipate, throwing him off balance.
“And she had a habit of going too far, like six inches to the side. And I’m riding it. And I’m ready. And she goes [too fast and sends him flying].”
Even with decades of stunt experience behind him, the fall still left him badly injured.
“I’m not a young stuntman anymore. I started to roll, but hit the dirt with my shoulder. So I wrecked my shoulder.”
Surgery Scheduled for New Shoulder Procedure
GettyShatner shared that he was preparing to undergo surgery on March 11 to repair the serious shoulder injury.
The veteran actor said doctors recommended a newer procedure intended to rebuild the shoulder joint and restore mobility.
“I was scheduled to undergo a ‘new type of shoulder operation called a reverse something or other,’” he explained.
“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 added. “So that’s what I am meandering towards.”
Even with the injury, Shatner still made an appearance at the Saturn Awards, where the audience gave him a standing ovation in honor of his decades of contributions to the science fiction genre.
Shatner Reflects on Legacy of ‘Star Trek‘
GettyWhile accepting the Hall of Fame honor for “Star Trek,” Shatner took a moment to reflect on why the iconic series still connects with audiences decades after its debut.
He said the show’s lasting legacy lies in its focus on human emotion and the complexity of its characters.
“You know what everyone tried to do, including myself, was to make the character human with all frailties and ambitions and fears,” he told the audience.
“At the same time, in a leadership role, you can’t show that, or if you show it, it has to be done in a particular way,” Shatner continued. “So that you’re a leader trying to lead people into battle or into danger, and you have to motivate people in some way.”
The actor also shared a surprising admission about his own history with the show.
“I haven’t seen all my 79 episodes. I just don’t have the time,” he said. “I’d like to see it, but I don’t have the time.”
During the ceremony, other major names were also recognized, including “Avatar” filmmaker James Cameron and actor Tom Cruise, who praised Shatner’s lasting influence on the science fiction genre during his remarks.
