William Shatner would like you to know that he is alive and well.
The Canadian actor posted on social media on Thursday in an effort to clear up rumours about his health after reports circulated that he had been rushed to hospital.
“I overindulged. I thank you all for caring but I’m perfectly fine,” Shatner wrote in an Instagram caption. “I keep telling you all: Don’t trust tabloids or AI!”
The post itself shows a mustachioed Shatner in a suit and text that reads, “Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!” — a slight misquote of Mark Twain’s famous line when newspapers falsely reported that he was unwell: “The report of my death was an exaggeration.”
Hours earlier, TMZ reported that 94-year-old Shatner was taken to hospital following an issue with his blood sugar on Wednesday afternoon. The actor’s agent confirmed the hospitalization to the outlet, adding that Shatner was released from hospital the same day. Other media picked up the story, as well, creating concern about the actor’s health.
“I’m glad you’re OK, I almost started crying,” one Instagram user commented under Shatner’s post.
Shatner famously played Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series and many of the movies. Despite his older age, he has kept busy with film projects, including a leading role in the rom-com Senior Moment, and appearing in the 2023 documentary You Can Call Me Bill, which details his career and life.
He also took part in a 10-minute space flight piloted by Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin a few years ago at the age of 91, becoming the oldest person ever to travel to space.
