Star Trek actor William Shatner has been forced to defend his decision not to attend the funeral of his long-time friend and co-star Leonard Nimoy.
The 83-year-old actor, who played Captain Kirk to Nimoy's Mr Spock in Star Trek, announced on social media last week that he was scheduled to be in Florida the day before Nimoy's funeral in Los Angeles on Sunday (Monday, Australian time). He was attending a charity event for the Red Cross and would not make it back in time, he said.
"I feel really awful. Here I am doing charity work and one of my dearest friends is being buried," Shatner wrote.
I am currently in FL as I agreed to appear at the Red Cross Ball tonight. Leonard's funeral is tomorrow. I can't make it back in time. - William Shatner (@WilliamShatner)
February 28, 2015
I feel really awful. Here I am doing charity work and one of my dearest friends is being buried. - William Shatner (@WilliamShatner)
February 28, 2015
But the announcement triggered an avalanche of angry responses from fans and some media who felt Shatner ought to be at his friend and colleague's funeral.
The New York Daily News published a front-page story with the headline "Captain Jerk".
"I chose to honour a commitment I made months ago to appear at a charitable fundraiser," Shatner said in reply on social media. "A lot of money was raised. So here I am; tell me off."
Shatner confirmed his daughters, Melanie and Lisabeth, would attend the funeral.
Shatner and Nimoy starred in the iconic 1960s TV series Star Trek and reprised their roles in film sequels and television spin-offs.
Nimoy, who died last week from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, played the half-human, half-Vulcan science officer Mr Spock.
Shatner hosted a forum via his Twitter account, inviting fans to share remembrances of Nimoy.
Leonard and I seemed to be bound by fate to be friends. We were born 4 days apart.
#LeonardNimoy - William Shatner (@WilliamShatner)
March 1, 2015
He took the role of Spock very seriously and I would try and get him to crack a smile while in his persona. It was hard to do.
#LeonardNimoy - William Shatner (@WilliamShatner)
March 1, 2015
I do want to thank everyone for coming here and sharing their memories and celebrating the life of
#LeonardNimoy LLAP! MBB - William Shatner (@WilliamShatner)
March 1, 2015
