William Shatner defended himself on Twitter this weekend after his decision to skip Leonard Nimoy's Sunday funeral earned him the tabloid nickname "Captain Jerk."

Nimoy, who died Friday at 83, was best known for his portrayal of "Star Trek" science officer Spock, a logic-driven ally and foil to Shatner's earnest Captain Kirk.Shatner explained in a series of tweets Saturday that he was in Florida for a Red Cross Ball and could not make it to Los Angeles in time for Sunday's service.

His daughters will represent the family, he said.

"I feel really awful. Here I am doing charity work and one of my dearest friends is being buried," he tweeted Saturday. "So let's spend some time tomorrow celebrating Leonard's life and remembering the man." 

Read