William Shatner Injured in Horse Accident, Scheduled for Shoulder Surgery

The 95-year-old 'Star Trek' icon details his terrifying fall and upcoming procedure to repair his shattered right shoulder.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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William Shatner, the beloved 'Star Trek' actor, revealed that he shattered his right shoulder after falling off one of his horses late last year. The 95-year-old opened up about the scary incident during the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films' 53rd annual Saturn Awards, where he was scheduled to undergo a 'new type of shoulder operation' on March 11 to repair the debilitating injury.

Why it matters

Shatner's horse accident and upcoming surgery highlight the risks that even veteran actors and stuntmen can face, especially as they age. The incident also underscores Shatner's lifelong passion for horseback riding, which he has continued to pursue well into his 90s.

The details

According to Shatner, the accident occurred when the horse he was riding 'went too fast and sent him flying.' Despite his experience as a stuntman, the 95-year-old 'wrecked his shoulder' after 'hitting the dirt.' Shatner is scheduled to undergo a 'reverse something or other' shoulder surgery on March 11 that he hopes will alleviate the pain.

  • In late 2025, Shatner fell off one of his horses and shattered his right shoulder.
  • On March 8, 2026, Shatner revealed the injury and upcoming surgery during the 53rd annual Saturn Awards.
  • Shatner is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery on March 11, 2026.

The players

William Shatner

A 95-year-old actor best known for playing Captain James T. Kirk on the original 'Star Trek' television series.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not a young stuntman anymore. I started to roll, but hit the dirt with my shoulder. So I wrecked my shoulder.”

— William Shatner (pagesix.com)

“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.”

— William Shatner (pagesix.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder that even legendary actors like William Shatner are not immune to the physical challenges that come with aging, and that a lifelong passion for activities like horseback riding can sometimes lead to serious injuries, even for the most experienced individuals.