William Shatner Defends Absence From Leonard Nimoy’s Funeral

William Shatner has responded to critics who have taken issue with his reason for missing Leonard Nimoy’s funeral on Sunday.

“I chose to honor a commitment I made months ago to appear at a charitable fundraiser. A lot of money was raised. So here I am; tell me off,” he Tweeted.

Shatner attended the 58th International Red Cross Ball at Donald Trump’s The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla. on Saturday night.

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The actor also Tweeted a photo of Sunday’s New York Daily News cover with the headline, “Caption Jerk,” a pun on his “Star Trek” character’s name of Captain Kirk.

“I want to share this. Let’s discuss it,” he Tweeted, along with the image of the paper’s front page.

“@NYDailyNews: An early look at tomorrow’s front page. http://t.co/ZDjADxLW48 pic.twitter.com/ijdwAwDw14” I want to share this. Let’s discuss it

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 1, 2015

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In reply to two Twitter users, the actor – who also got into a Twitter feud with a radio host over chartering a private jet – posed the question of whether he’d be called more of a “jerk” for abandoning his prior commitment to the charity or for missing his friend and former co-star’s funeral.

“.@c_write @LFarris812 Walking out on a major fundraiser wouldn’t have you calling me a jerk for leaving a charity high & dry? Hmm?,” he pondered.

Shatner also criticized the content of the article the newspaper published.

“.@NYDailyNews You know what I find puzzling. The headline is horrible but the article contradicts it,” he wrote.

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The actor also spoke fondly of his late friend.

In response to someone asking the kind of father Nimoy was to his children, Shatner replied, “The best. He was also an amazing uncle to my daughters.”

In fact, the actor revealed his daughters would pay their respects at the funeral on Sunday.

“So my daughters Melanie and Lisabeth are attending Leonard’s services,” he Tweeted.

As previously reported on , Nimoy died Friday morning “after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at his home in Bel Air,” a spokesperson for the late actor told Access.

He was 83 years old.

— Paige Feigenbaum