Though they shared the screen together for years – decades, even – and became Star Trek‘s greatest ever duo, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy weren’t on the best of terms when the latter fell ill circa 2015.
In fact, the rift became so apparent that, by the time Nimoy passed away, William Shatner actually felt unwelcome at his funeral, as the James T. Kirk actor reveals in his frank novel, Live Long and… What I Might Have Learned Along The Way.
The two had shared so much in common, as well – two Hollywood hopefuls born in the 1930s to Orthodox Jewish homes, only to forge a 50-year friendship that began life on Star Trek, where they played Captain James T. Kirk (Shatner) and Spock (Leonard Nimoy), respectively.
It was made clear to me that I was not welcome at his funeral. That was painful. I had an easy excuse.
He continued:
My closest friend was Leonard Nimoy. We were born four days apart and raised in Orthodox Jewish homes. We shared so much throughout our careers. I loved Leonard, and he used to refer to me as his brother. Yet at the end of his life and for reasons I still don’t know, he was not my friend. I would call him and he wouldn’t answer the phone or return any messages. He died and I didn’t feel welcome at his funeral.
It’s a sad and frank omission from the Star Trek legend, and it only leaves us all the more disheartened that the creative duo didn’t settle their differences before Nimoy ultimately passed away three years ago. Sadly, it wasn’t to be.
Looking to the future, with so much new Star Trek content being brought to life at CBS, one can’t help but wonder: is William Shatner destined for a Starfleet return? Turns out the actor isn’t opposed to a small-screen cameo, but only time will tell.