William Shatner forced to miss Leonard Nimoy's funeral

Actors Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner. Photo / Getty Images

William Shatner has been forced to miss his Star Trek co-star Leonard Nimoy's funeral due to prior commitments.

A burial service for the Jewish actor will take place in Los Angeles, but Shatner will not be able to mourn the death of his friend in person as he had already agreed to attend a charity ball in Florida and will not have enough time to fly across the US to make the memorial.

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

He took to Twitter to express his disappointment, writing, "I feel really awful. Here I am doing charity work and one of my dearest friends is being buried."

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

So let's spend some time tomorrow celebrating Leonard's life and remembering the man.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 28, 2015

Nimoy died at his Los Angeles home on Friday after losing his battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Shatner, who played Captain Kirk opposite Nimoy's Mr. Spock on TV and in movies for two decades, was among the first to pay tribute to his old pal following the news of his passing.

In a statement, Shatner revealed he loved the late actor, photographer and director "like a brother", adding, "We will all miss his humour, his talent, and his capacity to love."

Today on Twitter Shatner celebrated his late friends life by answering fan questions about Nimoy:

“@UtleyLuke: was #LeonardNimoy anything like Spock in real life?” He was serious, practical but unlike Spock very warm and loving

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 1, 2015

“@T_Mihn_: #LeonardNimoy Leo Did you two ever prank each other?” I think Leonard thinks he pranked me & I just let him believe that! 😉

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 1, 2015

“@JoeyABC17: @WilliamShatner Any regrets with regard to your relationship with #LeonardNimoy?” That it couldn't have lasted a lot longer.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 1, 2015

“@jaxon_alexander: @WilliamShatner what was his most admirable quality? #LeonardNimoy” his compassion and dedication

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 1, 2015

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

- WENN