James Doohan, who played the crusty engineer Montgomery "Scotty"
Scott on the original Star Trek series, died Wednesday at his
Redmond, Washington, home. He was 85.
Doohan, a Canadian, affected a Scottish brogue for his character, the stalwart ship's engineer who often pulled the U.S.S. Enterprise out of danger at the last possible second after complaining, "I've given her all she's got!" Doohan became a fixture on the touring "Star Trek" circuit, where he appeared at countless conventions and speaking engagements. Eventually, he contracted Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and had to give up touring in 2004.
Star Trek premiered in 1966 and ran for two and a half seasons. After the show was canceled, its fan base grew, and the series eventually spawned two movie series and four TV spin-offs, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise.
Memorable episodes of the original series were "The Changeling," in which Scotty is "killed" while trying to defend Uhura from the rogue space probe Nomad; "Who Mourns For Adonis," in which Scotty gets zapped by lightining while trying to defend a female crew member from a phoney Greek god; "The Galileo Seven," wherein Scotty attempts to repair a damaged shuttlecraft while strange monsters attack the landing party; and "The Trouble With Tribbles," in which Scotty keeps his cool while a bunch of drunken Klingons call Captain Kirk a Denebian slime devil, but then throws the first punch when they dare insult the Enterprise.
The memory of James Doohan will live long and prosper.
Comments (30)
R.I.P.
RIP, Scotty, you miracle-worker!
It is indeed sad. One of the most beloved of tv actors and characters has passed. I'm glad he got such a fond farewell at that star trek convention last year.
That's so sad. I don't watch the news so this was a shocker. Colin Mahan did a good write up on him.
A sad day. He was an original cast member and it is always depressing when major icons from a time long ago are no longer with us. I think that finally Kirk got his wish, though Scotty was the one that it applied to. "Beam me up, Mr. Scott." (He never actually said beam me up scotty!)
i never watched much star trek but he seems like a good actor and cool guy.
He was the best star trek actor around. I'm sure he will be missed by all.
Beam me up scotty. He lived life to to it's best. He was a Miracle Worker on tv. He will be missed. of to the next world and then on.
James Doohan will be missed in this world and Scotty will be missed in the Star Trek universe. Scotty's presence in Engineering and on the bridge allowed the Enterprise crew to survive any number of adventures. My favorite memories of Scotty include the space station brawl on the "The Trouble with Tribbles", his attempt to communicate with a 20th century computer in Star Trek IV, The Voyage Home, "Hello, computer",and his scene with Captain Picard on the holodeck recreation of the Enterprise ("no bloody A, B, C or D") in the TNG episode "Relics". May he rest in peace....
One of the oldest imitated characters I've heard...it's a shame he's gone, and will be sorely missed.
To quote an old Navy saying, "May he see Fair Winds and Calm Seas." He will be missed.
hey tvdir...<br />
<br />
that was a really sweet interview. short, but very sweet of him to do it. thanks for mentioning it. :)
I think this has all been said before, but he is sure going to be missed...<br />
<br />
Farewell, Scotty...<br />
<br />
God, one to beam up...
We had a brief chance to interview James Doohan for a TV show I produced back in 1993. He was at a science fiction convention in San Francisco. He was signing hundreds of autographs for fans, and he promised us that he would give us an interview after the autograph session. And the greatest thing, he was a man of his word. He was so tired, but he did the interview. He was a class act.
Rest in peace, you are in a better place now.
He was the greatest engineer of all Star Trek series! We will remember him.
beam me up jesus
James is a part of an american mythology and will be forever remembered as an entertainer whose influence spanned generations.
Sad to see him go. He will be missed.
Scotty was one of the best Star Trek actors.He will still be great to watch on Star Trek.I'll still enjoy watching him on my favorite episode The Trouble With Tribbles.
Do you think they're gonna shoot him off in an empty torpedo Wrath of Khan style? All kidding aside, later doohan, you were a cool cat.
He and DeForrest Kelly were my two fave classic trekkies EVER!!!!<br />
<br />
I am really cut up by the news :(<br />
<br />
Rest In Peace James.
How sad! First Bones. Now Scotty. Who will be next? Star Trek TOS cast will always be my favorite!
Rest in peace, James
The passing of another sci-fi icon. We'll miss you Scotty. Thanks for the memories!
Thats a big shame, he had such charisma on screen.
Aye, Scotty, you've done well, man. He was the first character I ever imitated. I've always admired his miracle worker status. He'll be missed. Here's to ya, lad.
He was a real class act. He will be sorely missed.
holy crap! i had a premonition about this just last night. incredible. and he recently fathered a child too!<br />
<br />
it's pretty funny how many people believe he was scottish. and in fact, he was always a big draw in scotland when he visited there. i saw people there crowd around him wherever he went.<br />
<br />
oh well, he's in a better place.<br />
<br />
thanks for everything scotty. see you on the other side.
The "Miracle Worker" passes... this is not good. He did live a good and long life, attaining what everyone wished him. He lived long, and he prospered. Now I'm going to go and cry...