William Shatner and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, are sharing how each survived a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis and how the experience reshaped their view of family, time and everyday life.

The 95-year-old “Star Trek” actor and his daughter discussed their treatment journeys in a new interview. Shatner Gretsch said she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2022 at age 60 after finding a lump. About a year later, her father learned that he had Stage 4 melanoma.

Family support through treatment

Shatner said doctors operated quickly after his diagnosis. His daughter recalled that he remained confident even as the family faced the seriousness of advanced cancer. During one frightening night in her own treatment, she called him believing she was dying, and he immediately told her he was coming over.

Stage 4 melanoma has spread beyond its original site to distant parts of the body, while Stage 4 breast cancer, also known as metastatic breast cancer, has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes. Advances in immunotherapy and targeted treatments have improved outcomes for many melanoma patients.

Finding more joy in daily life

Both Shatner and Shatner Gretsch now have no evidence of disease and remain in remission. They said the experience strengthened their close family bond and made them more attentive to small moments of joy.

The pair have also launched a podcast, “No Time, But Now,” focused on life, family and appreciating the present. Shatner Gretsch said her father now notices simple things such as birds, sunrises and blue skies more deeply, while Shatner described finding new pleasure in ordinary moments.

Source: ABC News. Reporting published July 22, 2026.