William Shatner has recalled the heartbreaking moment his daughter feared she would die after receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, revealing how their shared battle with the disease brought them closer together.

The 95-year-old Star Trek actor and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, opened up about their experiences during the 2026 End Well conference in Los Angeles. Both were diagnosed with advanced cancers, with Shatner battling melanoma that had spread to his lungs and brain while Gretsch faced stage 4 breast cancer.

The father and daughter were diagnosed within days of each other in 2023. Both have since recovered and are now cancer-free.

Gretsch, 62, recalled calling her father late one evening after receiving frightening news about her condition. Overwhelmed by the possibility of dying, she broke down during the conversation.

'I'm so scared I'm going to die,' she told him.

Shatner immediately got out of bed and drove to her home. He embraced his daughter and reassured her that she would overcome the illness, telling her: 'This is going to be a blip in your life. It's going to pass, and you're going to get through this.'

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How William Shatner and His Daughter Discovered Their Cancers

Shatner explained that his diagnosis followed the appearance of a lump on his cheek. His family doctor initially believed it was a swollen salivary gland and advised him to massage the area.

However, the lump continued growing over the following month. Shatner then asked a friend who was also a doctor to examine it. The friend advised him to have it removed, a recommendation that was also confirmed by an oncologist.

The mass was subsequently diagnosed as stage 4 malignant melanoma, which had spread to his lungs and brain.

Around the same period, Shatner learned that his youngest daughter had also been diagnosed with cancer. Recalling the news, he described the experience as confronting two devastating medical emergencies within his family.

Gretsch remembered experiencing intense fear after her diagnosis was upgraded to stage 4 following further scans. Her doctor had initially reassured her that she would survive the illness, but that confidence changed after the results became available.

What Does Stage 4 Cancer Mean?

A stage 4 cancer diagnosis generally means the disease has spread from its original location to distant parts of the body. It is also known as metastatic cancer.

In Shatner's case, melanoma had spread beyond its original location to his lungs and brain. His daughter's stage 4 breast cancer meant the disease had spread beyond her breast to her chest, as she later explained.

Although advanced cancer can be difficult to treat, survival is possible, with outcomes depending on the cancer type, its characteristics, available treatments and individual circumstances.

Neither Shatner nor Gretsch has publicly disclosed every detail of their treatment during the latest conference discussion. Both have since reported being cancer-free, although their individual recovery and treatment experiences differed.

Why Melanie Now Calls Cancer the Biggest Blessing of Her Life

Despite the fear surrounding their diagnoses, Gretsch believes the experience ultimately transformed her understanding of life.

She described confronting the possibility of death as life-changing, explaining that the experience made her appreciate everyday moments and relationships more deeply.

She now considers surviving cancer 'the biggest blessing of my life'.

Shatner also reflected on how the experience changed his perspective. He said he had become more conscious of ordinary moments, including watching hummingbirds, playing with his dog and spending time with his children.

The actor also revealed that he had made arrangements for a tree to be planted over his body after death, with other family members planning to follow the same approach.

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