James Doohan

James Montgomery Doohan (March 3, 1920 – July 20, 2005) was a Irish-Canadian character and voice actor best known for his portrayal of Scotty in the television and movie series Star Trek. His characterization made him one of the most popular characters in the Star Trek franchise universe.

Later life and death

Scotty's exploits as the redoubtable Chief Engineer aboard the Enterprise inspired many students to pursue a career in engineering. Because of this the Milwaukee School of Engineering granted Doohan an honorary degree in engineering. He was immortalised with a star in Hollywood's Walk of Fame on August 31 2004.

Related Topics:
Engineering - Milwaukee School of Engineering - Hollywood - Walk of Fame - August 31 - 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Doohan was married three times. He had four children, Larkin, Deirdre, and twins Christopher and Montgomery, with first wife Janet Young before a 1964 divorce. A marriage to Anita Yagel from 1967 to 1972 produced no children. In 1974 he was introduced to 19-year-old fan Wende Braunberger at a party, and they married the next year; their children were Eric, Thomas and Sarah, who was born in 2000, when Doohan was 80.

Related Topics:
1964 - 1967 - 1972 - 1974 - 2000

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He suffered from Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and lung fibrosis in later life. In 2004, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. On July 20 2005, at 5:30 in the morning, he died at his home in Redmond, Washington with his wife Wende and long-time friend (and agent) Steve Stevens at his side. His agent identified the cause as pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease. He was the second member of the original Star Trek cast to pass away, after DeForest Kelley, who died in 1999.

Related Topics:
Parkinson's disease - Diabetes - Lung fibrosis - 2004 - Alzheimer's disease - July 20 - 2005 - Redmond, Washington - Star Trek - DeForest Kelley - 1999

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Doohan's ashes are to be sent into space at his request. Space burial firm Space Services, Inc. confirmed that he had arranged for his cremated ashes to be released into Earth orbit, and they could be on a Falcon 1 rocket launching from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base, tentatively scheduled for September. It is planned that the ashes of Star Trek writer John Meredyth Lucas, who died in 2002, will also be on the flight.

Related Topics:
Space burial - Cremated - Vandenberg Air Force Base - John Meredyth Lucas

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Star Trek lore, Scotty was born in the town of Linlithgow, Scotland in the year 2222. In memory of James Doohan, the West Lothian Council plans to place a commemorative plaque in the town. Other towns have groups claiming to be Scotty's birthplace and wishing memorials: Aberdeen, Elgin and Edinburgh.

Related Topics:
Linlithgow - West Lothian Council - Aberdeen - Elgin - Edinburgh

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~