Actor William Shatner is reflecting on one of the most emotional chapters of his life — his daughter’s battle with Stage 4 breast cancer. In a candid September 2025 interview with On The Red Carpet, the 94-year-old “Star Trek” legend revealed that his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, is now cancer-free after a long and difficult fight against the disease.
“My daughter, who had breast cancer, Stage Four, is cured because of the luck of finding the doctor whose chemicals he invented 10 years ago were directly applied to this particular cancer. So she got through her cancer,” Shatner shared in the interview.
The actor, who shares Melanie with his first ex-wife Gloria Rand, also revealed that he and his daughter are considering launching a podcast focused on longevity, resilience, and the science of living a longer, healthier life.
Shatner Reflects on His Own Health Struggles
During the same interview, William Shatner opened up about his own health struggles, revealing that he has battled both Stage 4 melanoma and prostate cancer. While he didn’t go into detail, the actor reflected on how modern medicine played a life-changing role in his recovery and perspective on aging.
“I’ve had some illnesses. I don’t want to discuss it now, but I’m aware of what it’s like to have the magic of medicine dealing with cancer and age,” Shatner said. “There is this combination between my daughter and me that we can speak about ‘How are you going to live longer?’”
The legendary “Star Trek” star went on to share his heartfelt philosophy on longevity, explaining that the secret to youth lies in curiosity and connection. “You have to mix it up, to do something unusual, to do something different. That energy energizes your cells and keeps you young. That’s the key to youth,” he said, reflecting the optimism and wisdom that have defined his long, extraordinary life.
Melanie Shatner Gretsch Shares Her Side of the Story
Gretsch opened up about her breast cancer journey in an October 2024 interview with UCLA Health, where she appeared alongside her medical team, including breast surgical oncologist Dr. Carlie Thompson.
While she was diagnosed as Stage 4, Thompson explained that Melanie’s cancer was considered one of the rare curable cases because it had only spread to her chest lymph nodes and not to vital organs.
“Melanie was Stage 4,” Thompson said. “She was one of those rare cases of stage 4 breast cancer that was curable.”
Gretsch began an 18-month treatment plan in 2022 that included chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, and radiation. “Dr. Thompson says I did the maximum. There is no more they could have thrown at me,” Gretsch said.
Thompson confirmed that the actress underwent one of the lengthiest and most aggressive treatments possible. “We had to be particularly aggressive about her treatment,” she said. “For now, we can say that she is cured.”
Today, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, 61, is focusing on healing and helping others through her story. She shared that she is working on a memoir about her cancer experience and emotional journey.
Amazing!
you made it look like she really had something you know how money women have breast cancer and keep it to them selfs .
I pray it’s all gone. My wife was told she was cancer free 4 years ago and yet she died of breast cancer on October 9