James Doohan has died at age 85. He has been in bad health the last few years. He had Alheimers and diabetes.
He was everyone's favorite Scotsman. Doohan was from Canada and served in WWII in the Canadian artillery. In fact, he lost a finger during the battle. All those times you saw his hands on the transporter dials, they were stand ins.
He was a very good character actor, but got type cast after Star Trek. He could do a lot of dialects and did many voices on TOS (the M5 computer, Trelaine's father, etc.).
I will miss him and it's a reminder that all the TOS cast are getting up there in age.
I just got into Star Trek a few months ago with Wraith of Khan (only thing I've seen so far) And from that alone I've gotten to like him so much that I am quite saddened by this. Before I probably would have been "Scotty? isn't that a Star Trek charachter"
He'll be missed.
I always liked Scotty in Star Trek. Doohan played him as such a likeable character that you couldn't help but like the guy. He added a lot to the show and the accent he used was really something. For the longest time I thought that was how he really talked. It's a true shame that he had to end his years in the condition that he was in.
"Scotty, we need more power!"
"Aye Cap'n, I'm doin' the best that I can."
I thought that was his real accent too. RIP James.
I don't usually post in RIP threads, but I do have to chime in here. Though I knew he had been sick, this really saddened me.
I'm 39-3/4 years old, which means I have vague recollections of watching ST with my dad, and firm ones in reruns when I was older. Scottie was always my favorite character. Doohan brought this character to life in a way that, yes, inspired a young boy that engineering was pretty darn cool - and sometimes important. And he did so without, imo, being cartoonish or playing into the usual 'smart guy in the background' stereotypes (stupid lab coat, clipboard, glasses and totally socially inept).
Scottie was cool, and the character will live forever. In that small way, Mr. Doohan will live forever. So here's to you, Mr. Doohan; may your warp drive run easy.
Like ulthar, Scotty (James Doohan) was my favorite character from "Star Trek: TOS." While best known for his role on that show, he did appear in other roles on both television and in films. Some of which I may have seen. Though, his only other appearance I can remember is his role as a warlock on "Bewtiched" w/ Elizabeth Montgomery, as Samantha. In which episode, he drops off his son, another warlock, at Samantha's, so she can babysit the child.
Nothing beats the original STAR TREK and Scotty was a big part of the show. Definately the top 10 of all time TV shows.
Aye, Captain . . .