William Shatner branded 'Captain Jerk' for missing funeral of Star Trek co-star

Actor William Shatner has hit back after being branded "Captain Jerk" on the front page of a US newspaper for his decision to not attend the funeral of Star Trek co-star and close friend Leonard Nimoy.

Nimoy, 83, who played Mr Spock in the original series of Star Trek alongside Shatner for three years and 79 episodes, passed away last Friday after a battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the iconic 1960s science fiction series, was slammed by the New York Daily News when he revealed he wouldn't be able to attend Nimoy's funeral in Los Angeles, due to take place today, because of a charity event in Florida on Saturday night.

"I want to share this, let's discuss it,” the 83-year-old actor said on Twitter after posting an image of the Daily News' 'Captain Jerk' headline, which was on the cover of its Sunday edition.

Some of his 2.1 million Twitter followers said they were upset Shatner, 83, wouldn't there to give Nimoy a proper send-off.

"Do Red Cross event and then private jet to LA," radio host Todd Schnitt tweeted to Shatner.

"I must have missed your email about underwriting the arrangement and payment for this," Shatner replied.

Shatner said he was unrepentant about missing the service but understood it opened him up to criticism.

"I chose to honour a commitment I made months ago to appear at a charitable fund-raiser … A lot of money was raised. So here I am; tell me off," he wrote.

Shatner said his daughters Melanie and Lisabeth would attend the funeral in his place.