William Shatner Defends His Absence From Leonard Nimoy’s Funeral

None of Leonard Nimoy's Star Trek co-stars attended the actor’s funeral this past weekend, but only one absence is causing a major public outcry.

[CatalinaThePirate]

I have just finished reading Mr. Shatner's excellent book, "Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man, " released February 16, 2016. I admit, I was rather expecting Mr. Shatner to take this book as another opportunity to talk about himself, and was pleasantly surprised to find he spent most of the time telling Mr. Nimoy's story. His recollections about Leonard were selfless, amusing, and at times quite touching. When he admitted that Leonard was his truest and best friend, I found myself profoundly affected.

How many of us can say that about someone? Fifty years of friendship? That's akin to a fifty year marriage. You have your ups and downs, but fifty years? That is a tremendous amount of time, and these two men had two different careers, interests, dreams, and goals. They lived and led their own lives through those fifty years, yet Bill had the courage to admit that Leonard was his closest and dearest friend.

Bill's absence at Leonard's funeral was sad, but to me, understandable. Mr. Shatner had a commitment he had to honor, and I think it was very important to him that he honor it. I think Mr. Nimoy and his family realized and understood Mr. Shatner's love for his friend. He didn't need to be there to prove anything.

Many people deal with grief in many different ways. I don't think any of us have the right to judge William Shatner.

[kevinintheusa]

I met them both at a convention years and years ago with my 7 year old son. We stood in a pretty big line (not dressed up) and I had both of their books with me. When we got to them, my son was kind of shy and really didn't know them at all. William Shatner said hi to my son and he kind of hid behind me and said a shy hi back. Mr. Shatner waved at him and asked if I had anything to sign and I showed him his book. He also say the book my Leonard Nimoy in my hand and asked to sign that one instead. Then Mr. Nimoy proceeded to sign Mr. Shatner's book. It was crazy and a spur of the moment thing, I am sure. They were both great and very friendly to me and my son. My son still has both book (in his 20s today) and he has nothing but fond memories of that time. Rest in Peace Mr. Nimoy and know that you made many of your fans tremendously happy with your work. Mr. Shatner, you did what you needed to do and you too, are a great actor and person. Great memories for me and my son.

[priyonjoni]

By honoring his commitment to his charity event, William Shatner made the logical decision, one which Leonard Nimoy would gave agreed with. "The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few, or the one."

[elizabetholiviaclark]

I'm a life-long fan of both actors, and I tend to think their private lives are none of my business.

[Elphaba]

If you love me, send me flowers when I'm alive, not when I'm dead... nuff said..

[jmattera]

It's no one's business, not yours, theirs or mine, to judge the level of their friendship.

[tootsiedawn]

I think Leonard Nimoy would have told him to go to the fundraiser. Whoever is critical about him missing the funeral needs to remember this old saying: "People who live in Glass Houses shouldn't throw rocks". That means if you are judgmental, be prepared to get it back only 10 times worse!

[atpercent]

When you get old you begin to understand what is truly important in life and it's not the silly formalities the young worry about.

[kevd]

It was a no-win scenario for Shatner (a Kobayashi-Maru, if you will). If he didn't go, he's an insensitive prick, if he does go and cancel his charity work, he is a backslider. If he spoke at the funeral, he would have been branded an egotist, if he didn't, he'd have been branded as uncaring.

In the end, Shatner did exactly the right thing, and Howard Stern is correct; the measure of a friendship is not with the funeral, but the life spent together.

[jltearthwarrior]

Of course no, celebrities were there it said only family! His family has the right to mourn someone dear to their hearts without the public eye! I think nemoy would be proud of all his costars. He's probably smiling down on everyone wishing them a good long prosperous life!

[davidmustoe]

" I think the fans wanted him there"...yep thats what it comes down to.
Was William Shatners friendship with Leonard Nimoy about pleasing the fans?
I personally think it was too hard for Shatner, and having something else already lined up
was good for an excuse, right? But when it came down to it, I think he was trying to keep his mind off it. We all deal with grief in different ways. Celebrities are only human, and they, like all of us, do not like being dictated too, particularly about something so personal.
During the time period of filming the original Star Trek series, William Shatners Dad died. He had to wait hours for the plane. Someone, the Director, Producer..whoever, called an early end of the days shooting in respect to Williams Fathers death. He asked them to please not do that, and continue filming.
He wanted to keep his mind occupied, rather than wait in silence for hours for the plane to arrive. Perhaps its a way of posponing the inevitable as long as possible. But William Shatner is only being consistent in who he is, and how he deals with grief. Of all these people reeming him for his behavior...are any of them there while Shatner is sitting alone in heavy grief about his close friend? Does he need to film it to show people how he cares?
Does a celebrity owe it to the public to convince them of how he feels in the deepest moments of his life?! Give the human being William Shatner a break! I never heard of the Daily News. And now I know that I'll never read it. How superficial. Maybe Shatner has a problem with death. The FInality. And somehow not being there, doesn't quite make it final, perhaps.
Again, we all have out ways. Show respect for his way, rather than seek ways to defile it.
This type of celebrity inquisition, to the way one handles something so personal is absolutely ludicrous. We KNOW they were friends. This is a time to RESPECT Shatners privacy.

[TheWajio]

He is & always will be his friend :-)

[danielwilliamson]

Shatner may had it too painful to attend Leonard's funeral and he was heartbroken over the loss of his friend. I didn't attend my Grandmother's funeral because I couldn't go through with it. I loved my Grandmother and  I was devastated. Does it make me selfish - no. It's hard to say goodbye when someone we love and care for is gone.

[doristhomson]

iT IS no one's BUSINESS BUT SHATNER' AND NIMOY'S FAMILY. They were both strong and driven men. God bless them both for the years of ENTERTAINMENT THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THE WORLD. ENJOY THAT AND FORGET THE PETTY STUFF.

[jasoncarpp]

Talk about an unfair criticism against William Shatner! I believe he very much wanted to attend his friend's funeral, but he had other things going on, and couldn't be at two places at once.

[RovnoMagic]

Thank you ET for this story. I was interviewed by Adam Nimoy last year as he began work on For The Love of Spock. 50th anniversary is in September this you folks be doing a story about Adam's moving film tribute to his Father Leonard?

[Lordofzeldafed]

i think nimoy wouldn't have wanted him there. there were such great friends in life, i think nimoy would've wanted shatner to remember him as he was alive, and not when he was being laid to rest

[geraldhart]

Bill knew the real deal, like they say he payed his respects when an while he was alive. So suck it or let it go bud. Bills the man hes 80 ish hes got game.

[cece]

Howard Stern actually made sense! . . E.T. "hosts, " and others in that type of work, get a real job!!

[bigmetal...]

If people can NOT see the friendship so earnestly expressed, over the last 50 years of dong so many things together... then, I think the fans are not seeking Shatner's and Nimoy's friendship but, the fans own self-righteousness...