William Shatner may be 95 years old, but that doesn't mean he is ready to say goodbye to Hollywood – or his beloved dogs, as he exclusively told HELLO! The star opened up about his twilight years amid his partnership with LifeWave, a tech company that sells phototherapy patches to improve energy, sleep and pain relief.
"I don't want to die. That's my motivation," he told us of how his approach to wellness had changed in recent years. "I'm looking at 95. Are you kidding me?" he continued. "I want to stay healthy and functioning, and I'd like to pass away in my sleep because…I have people I love, my family, my dogs."
"The animals get to be central in your life, and you know dogs live 10, 15 years," the Star Trek actor added. "I've had two dogs because I feel very strongly that a dog needs to pack up at least with one more dog, so they were not lonely and waiting for you to come home."
© via Getty Images"I think with sadness that one of us is going to die before the other, and I'll be sadder if they die before me. I'll relinquish my sadness if I die before them." William is the proud owner of two Dobermans, Mocha and Espresso, and is also a passionate equestrian.
The iconic star celebrated his 95th birthday on March 22 with an Instagram post featuring photos of himself smoking a cigar by the ocean. "At 95, I'm still smokin'," he quipped in the caption. "I've learned two things: Never waste a good cigar. Never trust anyone who says you should 'act your age'." His post sparked a frenzy with fans, who couldn't believe that he was inching towards 100 years old.
"You look fantastic for 95, what's your secret?" wrote one fan in the comment section, while another added: "OMG. You look fantastic but more importantly your mind is incredible and how you use that is even more amazing!"
© InstagramWilliam sparked worry amongst his fans in September 2025 when he was rushed to hospital due to a blood pressure issue. The father of three's agent, Harry Gold, revealed to TMZ that the hospital visit went well and that William was "100 percent healthy."
See how William is living out his twilight years below...
"Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated," he later shared on social media. "I overindulged. I thank you all for caring, but I'm perfectly fine. I keep telling you all: don't trust tabloids or AI!"
William's health has become a major priority for him in recent years, and the actor even starred in a 2026 Super Bowl ad for Raisin Bran to promote healthy eating. "There's nothing better for you than your health. I know firsthand how health is so important. It's even a cliché to say 'so important.' It's of the utmost importance in your life," he said on social media.
© Getty Images"If you don't have health, you don't have love, you don't have ease – you're permanently disturbed. With health [and] love, and you can appreciate everything and everyone around you too."
© Getty ImagesLifeWave collaborated with William in 2025 for the viral short film The World's Oldest Intern, and are teaming up with him again for two more instalments along with actors Jeri Ryan and Jonathan Frakes. LifeWave has launched a nationwide casting call for two extras, with April 28 being the deadline to apply for a spot.
LifeWave's founder, David Schmidt, was inspired to become an inventor after growing up watching William on Star Trek, and later designed a Welcome Center for LifeWave in the same vein of the hit show.
