William Shatner fears ‘he doesn’t have long left’, reveals plan to reach out to grandchildren after death

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: William Shatner, the iconic 'Star Trek' captain and Hollywood veteran, will celebrate his 94th birthday on Saturday, March 22.

While many mark birthdays with joyous celebrations, Shatner has taken a deeply introspective approach to his later years, openly acknowledging back in 2023 that he "doesn’t have long left to live".

William Shatner reflected on mortality ahead of documentary release

Ahead of the 2023 release of his documentary 'You Can Call Me Bill', Shatner revealed that he chose to participate in the film as a way to leave behind something meaningful for future generations, as per Daily Mail.

Speaking to Variety, he shared his thoughts on mortality, "I've turned down a lot of offers to do documentaries before. But I don't have long to live. Whether I keel over as I'm speaking to you or 10 years from now, my time is limited, so that's very much a factor."

"I've got grandchildren. This documentary is a way of reaching out after I die," he said.

Directed by Alexandre O Philippe, the film debuted at the SXSW Film Festival in Texas, offering an in-depth look at Shatner’s illustrious career and personal reflections.

William Shatner cherishes fatherhood and being a grandparent

William Shatner has always placed great value on family, and despite a career spanning decades, he has made it a priority to stay connected with his loved ones.

He is the proud father of three daughters -- Leslie, Lisabeth, and Melanie -- from previous marriages, and a devoted grandfather to five.

In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, he spoke about the joys of being a grandparent:

He said, "Being a grandparent is the greatest joy for me. I have the time now to grab a grandchild and talk, and hug and kiss them and make sure that I'm taking time to be with them and to give them some aspect of the things I've learned."

His commitment to family extends beyond everyday moments, he reportedly spends weekends with his daughters and takes them on vacations, from skiing trips to snorkeling adventures.

William Shatner's rekindled love with Elizabeth Martin

In addition to reflecting on his family and legacy, Shatner also found renewed happiness in love back in 2023.

Three years after his high-profile $2 million divorce, he reunited with his ex-wife, Elizabeth Martin, 66, as per Daily Mail.

The couple made a public appearance together at the prestigious Living Legends of Aviation Awards in Beverly Hills this January.

Discussing their rekindled romance with The Mirror, Shatner was nothing short of poetic, saying, "My wife… she is the zest of life. She brings the flavour."

When asked to describe that "spice," he jokingly suggested, "Mustard?" while Elizabeth added, "Cinnamon."