"Scotty" Gets Walk of Fame Star 426
linuxwrangler writes "Actor James Doohan, aka Scotty on the original Star Trek series received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today. This is expected to be Doohan's last public appearance as he suffers from Parkinson's disease, diabetes and lung fibrosis as well as recently diagnosed Alzheimer's disease."
Comment removed (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:poor guy (Score:3, Funny)
Re:poor guy (Score:5, Informative)
Starting with the first one which was 25 to 30 years ago.
They all say James is a great guy, a real sport, and used to be quite the drinker and scamp.
He'd joke with all the guys and flirt with all the girls.
Sounds like someone I'd be proud to hang out with.
Re:poor guy...and War Hero! (Score:5, Informative)
Every person who stormed the beaches on D-Day is a Hero, and to have survived nearly being killed, and getting into an even more dangerous role in the War speaks to the courage and valour Mr. Doohan has as a person, some of of which came through in his charactor of Scotty.
He should be made a member of The Order of Canada, the highest honour Canada can bestow upon it's citizens. This man has inspired many people to go on and earn degrees in engineering, and that is a great service to society. Having attended a number of his talks at Carleton University in Ottawa, I can say that I have always been impressed by him as a person.
ttyl
Farrell
And as a Frenchman... (Score:4, Interesting)
Hey, my very own house was liberated by Canadians soldiers (it's on top of a hill overlooking a river-crossing below, so it was a minor strategic target). Too bad he couldn't have been among them...
Re:poor guy (Score:4, Funny)
Warp factor 10 time dilation? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Warp factor 10 time dilation? (Score:4, Insightful)
Now if only I could figured out why my programs always segfault when I use pointers...
Re:poor guy (Score:4, Funny)
They were out on a family picnic and she fell through a hole in the ground which happened to contain an intertemporal wormhole...
Oh wait, that was Colm Meaney [epguides.info], nevermind.
not poor guy - poor headline (Score:5, Interesting)
Exactly what i first thought when i saw this headline. And then i wondered, Why is this wonderful man advertised like this? Why couldn't the headline have been something that gives more credit to this man's career/life? Now everybody 'feels sorry' for him, and i seriously think he doesn't deserve that.
Re:poor guy (Score:5, Interesting)
--00--
url:http://24hour.startribune.com/24hour/enterta in ment/story/1603990p-9256921c.html?
(SH) - After all these years, it's time for a confession.
Chris Doohan and Danny Bonaduce dented Sonny Bono's Porsche in the 1970s. Bono trusted the boys, best pals from Van Nuys, Calif., to move his prized car for him. With "Partridge Family" star Bonaduce behind the wheel and Doohan riding shotgun, they guided the sports car out of its safe parking space and went in the wrong direction. Oops.
But Doohan had much safer childhood adventures in outer space.
When he and his brother Monty visited their dad at work, their father would tell them to go play in the shuttlecraft.
"We played like we were spacemen," said Doohan, 45. "We were 7 years old. It was fun."
That's one of the perks when your father is "Scotty," of Star Trek fame.
James "Jimmy" Doohan, 84, played the beloved role of Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, chief engineer for the starship Enterprise, on the original 1966 series and in subsequent big-screen movies.
When your dad's a "Star Trek" icon, growing up can be out-of-this-world fun.
In the late 1970s, Chris and Monty, his twin, got in uniform and joined dad on the deck of the USS Enterprise, where William Shatner, as Capt. James T. Kirk, warned everyone about the villainous craft V'Ger that was approaching. It was a big moment for the boys, one that wound up on the big screen in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture."
In the television show, and in the "Trek" movies, the senior Doohan's Scotty character manned the transporter room - the words "Beam me up, Scotty" are forever burned into our public consciousness - and constantly worked miracles to keep the Enterprise running.
For Chris, the "miracle worker" nature of his dad's character has been a source of constant inspiration.
Next week, to pay his dad back for all of the love and inspiration he's provided over the years, Chris will present his famous father with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Doohan clan, along with a grandstand of fans, will beam there Tuesday for the star ceremony.
On Monday, the senior Doohan will greet fans inside the Hollywood Entertainment Museum, which has on display the bridge set from "Star Trek: The Next Generation."
These are among the happenings in what's likely to go down as one of the biggest and most bittersweet conventions in "Star Trek" fandom history.
"Beam Me Up Scotty
The tribute comes at a poignant time.
"Just a couple months ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's," Chris said.
So far the disease, still in its early stages, has only affected Jimmy's short-term memory.
"He's really doing well," Chris said. "We're more concerned with his Parkinson's disease and diabetes than the Alzheimer's."
Doohan was diagnosed with Parkinson's several years ago.
"He gets to say goodbye to the fans," Chris said. "My dad has always been moved by the fans. If someone comes up and asks him for an autograph, he signs. He never turns anyone down."
To get his dad a star on the Walk of Fame, Chris raised $15,000, the fee required by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. He started a year ago and received donations from fans around the world, who gave everything from 50 cents to $500.
Chris keeps a sizeable collection of Scotty action figures and "Star Trek" memorabilia at his home, including a photo that shows Chris, Monty and Jimmy, all in their Starfleet uniforms for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture."
Chris pointed to the missing middle finger on his father's hand. Jimmy lost it during World War II, when fighting along with Royal Canadian Army sold
Doohan vs. Shatner (Score:5, Insightful)
"To this day, they don't know why," Chris said, "but they've made up within the last year."
"It was a long battle," he said. "It came to the point that neither of them knew why they were angry at each other, and they're getting old."
Probably because Shatner is a pompous ass, and you can quote me on that.
I recall reading my sister's MAD magazine from the 1960s in which they interviewed Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley. I cannot forget the quote by Shatner that "I can't stand conceited, pompous people."
Then when the reports from conventions, interviews with co-stars, and other indications of how Shatner really is, that quote became particularly interesting to me, much like the pot calling the kettle black.
Conversely, I've never heard a bad word about Jimmy Doohan from anyone who has met him or worked with him. He just seems like an affable guy who doesn't take things too seriously; just think of the calm way he said "Aye" in the TNG episode "Relics" at the end as he boarded his shuttlecraft gift.
Contrasted against Shatner I can see how they would rub each other the wrong way.
Re:poor guy (Score:5, Informative)
Scotty's Missing Finger [cogulus.com]
They shot around it in the T.V. series. Remember all those close up shots of just the hands on the transporter? They aren't Scotty's hands.
Poor taste joke : (Score:4, Funny)
Doc : I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you have cancer and Alzheimers'
Man : Phew ! At least it's not cancer !
Re:poor guy (Score:4, Insightful)
Nothing like a positive comment from someone who simply doesn't care...
Re:poor guy (Score:5, Insightful)
He certainly meant it to be "funny", but I've heard people say things like this before.
Alzheimers does not "make you forget" that you're sick. In the early to middle stages, it makes things worse as you forget to take medications and are unable to follow the directions of your doctors. Eventually, you need to be moved somewhere for round the clock treatment.
People with end-stage cancer and Alzheimers aren't "lucky" because they can forget about the cancer. Instead, they feel the terrible pain of dying, without understanding what is going on around them. Many times, they don't recognize their own families, so they die "alone" and in horrible pain. Its among the worst ways to die a "natural" death.
So, lets back off on the fucking alzheimers jokes.
Re:poor guy (Score:5, Insightful)
Anyway, my Uncle is one of the friendliest, most caring people I've ever known. But he can't handle death.
When my brother was killed, my Uncle sat at the funeral telling jokes. Non stop. That's how he handles things. I was aghast at the time, and criticised him for this, but I now know he was heartbroken, and this is the only way he could handle it.
I like to think all the jokesters here have a little of this issue in them. They are trying to be upbeat jokers about terrible illnesses.
One grandmother had altzheimers. It was just the name of a disease to me until I witnessed it up close. But until you've seen a person go days not recognizing anyone, then suddenly wake up screaming "Where am I? What am I doing here?" uhmmmm...it's shocking, and not funny, and tragic. She was okay to deal with when she was not recognizing us, just a little afraid of us, and she was okay when she recognized us, too. It was the transistions--that was the most frightening.
It was very painful when she transistioned, very emotional, lots of screaming and crying, wondering who and where she was. It was tough to watch and deal with.
I'm a loner and lone wolf, so I know I will end badly with no one by my side. So I hope it's quick and with not much for anyone to clean up
Re:poor guy (Score:5, Informative)
Parkinson's is caused by parts of the brain having impaired production of/response to dopamine in the inner brain.
You don't have to be 75 years old to get Parkinson's [Davis Phinney, Michael J. Fox].
Both suck to be a witness to (my experience was watching my grandmother wither away from Parkinson's). It is very hard to get to the point where you enjoy and appreciate the fewer and fewer lucid moments the person has. Eventually, they do just become a visage of what they once were.
It sucks when someone you know dies suddenly in a car crash, heart attack or any other sudden cause. It sucks when it takes someone 10-15 years to slowly die from Parkinson's/Alzheimers [and I imagine, any terminal disease].
Re:poor guy, vocabulary (Score:3, Informative)
"Eventually, they do just become a visage of what they once were."
Perhaps you meant "vestige".
Yes, I AM being an asshole today, thank you.
Sorry.
Look at the bright side:
I only do it to people whom I think might actually care.
OB simpsons quote (Score:4, Funny)
Scotty: It's no good Captain, I cannot reach the control panel
Sad (Score:4, Insightful)
I wish him the best health possible for his life.
Re:Sad (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Sad (Score:5, Informative)
The spoken Klingon in ST:TMP were random grunts. Okrand did the job of not only inventing a language, but backfitting it to those grunts such that people who understood the language [kli.org] could actually understand those grunts.
This is, of course, not to detract on Doohan's achievements - his star is very well deserved.
Re:Sad (Score:2, Insightful)
He's given a lot and definitely put his brand on the role. No matter what he must endure, a star is the least which can be done for him.
Re:Sad (Score:3, Funny)
I'd say he's worth more than two dozen Tom Cruises piled up and lit on fire with a burning John Travolta.
Re:Sad (Score:3, Funny)
Well now, you've raised the stakes. Care to add one Keanu in reply to my James Garner? If you keep this up I'll raise you a Cary Grant and a John Wayne. I'm holding Jim Carey for later.
Crap, this is starting to sound like a neat game.
Re:Sad (Score:5, Insightful)
It's with utmost respect ... (Score:5, Interesting)
Seriously, I grew up admiring "Scotty" as an engineer, and he was an aspiration throughout my formative years. Sure enough, I'm not an actor today, but a professional engineer, although in software, not warp drive.
I raise this glass to you, Mr Doohan.
Re:It's with utmost respect ... (Score:4, Funny)
That's actually good. The trick is you have to get multiple diseases so then they start attacking eachother instead of you.
Re:It's with utmost respect ... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It's with utmost respect ... (Score:5, Funny)
"Invincible..."
I do not think this word means what you think... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:It's with utmost respect ... (Score:5, Interesting)
You're not the only one. A university in Wisconsin's school of engineering awarded Doohan an honorary degree when they found out half their student body had been inspired into engineering by Scotty.
I gotta respect the man. Did you know he stormed the beaches at Normandy?
Re:It's with utmost respect ... (Score:4, Interesting)
James Doohan [thefreedictionary.com]
It looks like Scotty will not be with us much longer. What a shame since he inpired so many of us to go into technology ....
Wikipedia, not TheFreeDictionary. (Score:5, Insightful)
--grendel drago
Like, Duh? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:It's with utmost respect ... (Score:5, Funny)
- Estimate the time to finish the job,
- Double that,
- Change up to the next highest units.
For example, if you think the job takes two weeks, say it's impossible to get it done in under four months. So when you spend three weeks drinking beer then knock it out in an afternoon, your boss will think you're some kind of miracle worker."Scotty! I need warp power in three minutes or we're all dead!"
"I can give you three minutes next Thursday. How's that sound, ya cheese eatin' surrender monkey?"
Re:It's with utmost respect ... (Score:5, Interesting)
Well, today I'm a quantum physicist and a computer scientist in AI, and I would say that of all things that have inspired me in life to pursue these goals, ST has affected me the most. I still remember those episodes where he used to get strange alien warp engines and contraptions and make them work.
It's sad that it went downhill later down the line, but as a child, it inspired me to pursue science in a way nothing else ever has, and ever will. Here's to Scotty!
Last Appearence? (Score:2, Funny)
THAT may be what you think... until he's able to save his pattern in the transporter buffer overflow for the crew of ST: TNG to free him sometime in the late 24th century, where there will be a cure for his...
D'oh! I'm such a geek
Reminds me of my job... (Score:2, Insightful)
--
7329081
Re:Reminds me of my job... (Score:3, Funny)
Although Kirk didn't fire Scotty when he didn't have "the power"... unlike my job...
Re:Reminds me of my job... (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, and Kirk's the one who always got laid... still doesn't say much for the geeks.
Re:Reminds me of my job... (Score:3, Funny)
and this is diferent from real life?
Gary Cole as "Captain Kirk" (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Reminds me of my job... (Score:5, Funny)
Kirk (on intercom): Scotty, how long before we have warp drive?
Scotty: That's be five minutes, captain.
Kirk: Well hurry it up.
(Scotty picks up his doubletalk spanner)
Kirk (immediately on intercom again): How's that warp drive coming?
Scotty(Putting down doubletalk spanner): It'll be five minutes, captain!
Kirk: OK, but I need warp right now!
Scotty: I'll see what I can do.
(Picks up doubletalk spanner)
Kirk (on intercom): Scotty, now would be a good time.
Scotty (putting the spanner in his back pocket): For the love of Pete!
(Kirk finally realizes he's irritated his top engineer)
Kirk: That's OK, Scotty. You're our miracle worker. Any time in the next two minutes would be fine.
Scotty(under his breath): F*****g a*****e!
(Scott looks around but can't find his spanner)
Scotty (yelling at unnamed subordinate): Where's my damn spanner?
A toast! (Score:5, Informative)
Re:A toast! (Score:5, Interesting)
I still admire him tremendously and way ahead of Captain Kirk, though I was more afflicted by admiration of Mr. Spock. It seems like many of the TOS actors got tired of the public's fixation on that series. Anyone else read Nimoy's I am not Spock ?
Brian Michael Bendis... (Score:5, Informative)
Well, Scotty was great, but I have to say Doohan himself was better--if perhaps not quite as in love with geeks as we are with him.
In Total Sell-Out [amazon.com], Brian Michael Bendis (you know, the comic book writer in charge of Powers and Ultimate Spider-man...) tells the most hilarious story of sitting by Doohan at a convention.
When it became evident that Bendis was sympathetic to the annoyance brought about by a constant "Beam me up, Scotty!" from fans, Doohan let loose.
"That's right, smart ass. Kiss my tribble. Bite me. Beam this, ya bloody nerds..."
Bendis describes it as being witness to one of the greatest moments a geek could aspire to. I couldn't agree more.
No hoax. Free PCs. [tinyurl.com]
Re:Brian Michael Bendis... (Score:5, Interesting)
I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk with James Doohan back in 1990. I was dating the daughter of a not very well-known producer who happened to be a long time friend of James Doohan. While waiting for her to get ready to "go out" one evening, I walked into the living room and there he was, drinking a beer at the bar with her father. They invited me to join them while I waited, so I got to sit on a barstool next to Mr Doohan and talk about motorcycles (he had a Triumph when he was in the British army, then bought a Harley when he came to the US). It was pretty much just mundane small talk about a common interest, but he was a lot of fun to talk to just the same. I only got to talk to him for a half hour or so, but he's still probably one of the top ten coolest people I've ever met. Just a really, really great guy.
Re:Brian Michael Bendis... (Score:5, Interesting)
Anyway, she met with Mr. Doohan and from what I recall was very emphatic about getting to know him -- I'm unsure if she was trying to treat him as Scotty or as the actor, but regardless the feeling I got from his description was that she was hanging onto the image of him from the show as she didn't have much else to hang on to. Pretty sad.
Mr. Doohan said that he talked with her for a long time and after they parted they kept in touch, seeing each other over a period of time (2 years?). He tried to support her, talk through her problems, tried to help steer her back on the right track, etc.
Then, he says, one day she just disappeared. He didn't hear anything from her for a few years and then suddenly she called him. She had landed a stable job, was working out of her problems and had a better grip on life. She thanked him for what he had done.
Nobody is perfect, I am sure Mr. Doohan has his bad side, but from watching this I got the overall impression that he is a very caring man. How many Hollywood stars would put up with an obsessed fan in the condition she was in?
Seeing him smiling in his wheelchair just pulls on my heart and makes me smile. I sincerely hope the rest of his years are peaceful and rewarding.
documentary (Score:3, Insightful)
Not to say the expected thing... (Score:5, Insightful)
It is unfortunate that this all is happening to him, as he is a very nice person. After a star trek convention in the mid 90's, I was waiting around for an autograph, a small kid, and he was the only person to come over and say hello. Something I'll remember.
There's really no point to this post, just random museings from yet another Star Trek nerd.
With every other post being a bad Star Trek joke (Score:5, Insightful)
On the one hand he suffers from a large number of physical problems but on the other hand he's lived to 84 years of age and had a hell of a ride during a life that many could only dream of. I hope his remaining time is spent with family and in comfort.
A star worthy of a star (Score:4, Insightful)
I can't think of a lot of actors - especially ones who're mainly famous for an offbeat role in a campy '60s series - who could maintain that good humor after a lot of years; the other cast members (William "Get A Life" Shatner and Leonard "I Am Not Spock" Nimoy had their ups and downs with the typecasting that came with their roles, and they've written about it in their memoirs) ... But when all was said and done, James Doohan seems to have done well for himself and enjoyed his part in Trek-lore all the way.
this is what happens... (Score:5, Informative)
--------
Jun 11 1999 3:15PM DeForest Kelley, who, as Star Trek's folksy spaceman Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, frequently issued the dire (and trademark) "He's dead, Jim" diagnosis, died today at the Motion Picture and Television Country Home and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. He was 79.
He's got friends... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:He's got friends... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:He's got friends... (Score:3, Insightful)
Incidentally, one night in Seattle I was at a play which Nimoy attended (the hilarious musical parody Star Drek, which Paramo
Re:He's got friends... (Score:4, Insightful)
Parkinson's Disease (Score:5, Insightful)
At first it was a slight shaking in her arm that would go away. Then it wouldn't go away. Then it was her whole arm, then the whole side of her body.
It really snowballed on her, in a span of 5 years she went from driving and writing checks and such (via a special pen that had a large grip on it) to being in a wheelchair 24/7 and barely leaving her bedroom. (My grandfather died of bone cancer during that time) She basically stopped wanting to live.
The doctors put her on all kinds of medications and she went to the Mayo clinic constantly. They where talking about an experimental stem cell surgery to see if it would stop the brain deteration, but due to the costs and public outcry against stem cell research she never went through with it. The doctors said it's a part of life almost - if you live long enough you're basically guaranteed to get Alhzeimers, Parkinson's Disease, or both.
I miss you nanna!
Re:Parkinson's Disease (Score:4, Informative)
Unfortunately, it will not become clear until the autopsy (if there is one) what Doohan actually had and what is causing the dementia symptoms.
It is good that people are honoring our beloved "Scotty" now, rather than posthumously or after he's too far gone to appreciate it.
What I learned from Scotty (Score:3, Funny)
Musings on Scotty at a 'con (Score:3, Interesting)
I was waitin' ta hear the brogue, but it did nae appear unless he turned it on.
Warp speed, Mr. Scott. Out there. Thataway.
...alongside Britney (Score:5, Informative)
Inclusion on the walk of fame is done entirely based on nomination, and since a successful nomination costs so much, people only ever nominate themselves, or are nominated by their studio/publicists. Which is why Britney Spears, David Spade and Pee Wee Herman all have their own stars, but Al Pacino never bothered.
Re:...alongside Britney (Score:4, Informative)
Re:...alongside Britney (Score:3, Informative)
You're at least partially correct. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce [hollywoodchamber.net] has a page on it. The $15,000 fee is intended to reduce the number of application to a reasonable number. The fee goes to a 503(c) non-profit. And application does not equal success. As near as I can tell, though a star added does not equal one old star removed. As such, the Walk of Fame must endlessly grow. Therefore, a selection process must be fairly careful, or they'd run out of sidewalk. Soon the skids would be overrun with s
Wil Wheaton's Tribute (Score:5, Interesting)
that's what his last couple posts are about...the goodbye convention...definately worth checking out.
and he's right...how many engineers/pilots and geeks in general were inspired by this guy? -- I remember reading an early work with some bio material where James said he sat down and tried to figure out all the mechanics and theories behind how the Enterprise worked after the first season, just so he could answer fans questions more credibly and accurately.
"If you want the reputation as a miracle worker...always multiply your estimates by three!"
RB
Re:Wil Wheaton's Tribute (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Wil Wheaton's Tribute (Score:3, Insightful)
What the fuck are you talking about? Wheaton is the first person to point out he's a has-been actor. He only made that site at the request of fans. Wheaton is very down to earth, and admits he's just a geek.
I'd like to know just where you got your impression of him...
Lost Lustre (Score:3, Funny)
But he had to pay for it, or more likely, Paramount sponsored it.
We should lobby for Wil Wheaton or JWZ to get a star though. I'll pitch in $3 towards the "get Wil a Star" campaign.
Scotty character inspires us engineers (Score:5, Interesting)
Scotty: I may be a captain by rank, but... I've never wanted to be anything else but an engineer.
I get goosebumps everytime I see that episode. Thank you, Mr Doohan.
Tom
Every Man (Score:5, Insightful)
All of the Characters were a little one dimensional, but at least they were varied. Many dramas of the 60s and 70s we peopled by everyone is a hero, everyone is perfect types, with perhaps just one or two transient bad apples thrown in, just to motive plot lines. Scotty drank. Kirk was an impulsive Cowboy. Spock was conflicted over his being a half-breed and trying to straddle two heritages. Uhura was afraid of aging and loosing her looks. McCoy was unhappy living in world dehumanized by technology. Checkoff was young and unseasoned. Sulu had an inscrutable exterior, but a child like exuberance waiting to be released. Yeoman Rand was not quite emotionally mature and prone to hero worship. Nurse Chapel fixates on something she can't have (Spock).
We liked all of them. We liked their eccentricities, and by extension we like the actors that played them and brought so much joy into our lives.
Mr Doohan is still with us, but given all these woes he has to overcome in these the late years of his life, I feel a little closer to him, and will morning his passing a little more. Perhaps more than all the others as they flicker out, because as I said before, Scotty is the every-man.
Enough with the beam me up jokes please. I really do think of these people as my friends, and this is sad news
Thank you for the Transparent Aluminum. (Score:5, Funny)
Just one of the many great things Scotty has done for us
Thank you Mr. Doohan.
favorite 'Scotty' scene... (Score:3, Funny)
A class act (Score:5, Insightful)
A couple of friends of mine dragged me to a Star Trek convention in the early 90s. Doohan was the featured star. After the obligatory question and answer session, which he handled with more humor and patience than I would have, he went out into the hall to sign autographs. I probably slowed my friends down a bit as I have no interest in autographs, but I didn't want to be left alone in the middle of the convention, so I joined them at the very end of the line. After an eternity (much longer for Doohan, who I'm sure was getting writer's cramp and a migraine after hearing the same joke and quotes from everybody in line) he made a big deal about us being the very last people in line. He seemed genuinely flattered that we waited so long to meet him, and had us come around behind the table to have multiple pictures taken with him.
How many TV and movie stars would have simply been happy to get it over with? How few would have shown that kind of humor and good nature to just a few more of many, many fans?
Scotty, if you read this, you greatly impressed me, restored my faith in celebrity, and made a fan for life. A sincere "Live long and prosper."
You truly have inspired many (Score:5, Insightful)
On the day of Mr Doohan's death.. (Score:3, Funny)
(hand in there buddy!)
Doohan's Autobiography is an excellent read (Score:3, Informative)
In case anyone didn't know of it's existence.
Doohan's Autobiography is one of the best books of it's kind. It was written some years ago, and should be available in most metro libraries. He seems to give an honest look at his life, which is nearly as inspiring (maybe it is more so) as his characters on Star Trek.
Before he passes on, it's nice to have so many thinking of him and sending their prayers.
Don't let material object distract memory (Score:3, Insightful)
Also respect him as an actor, but also it was just a job, and the real Scott man was human like everyone here.
A moving Slashdot story (Score:5, Interesting)
can we get these responses to him somehow? (Score:4, Insightful)
Why I'm going to college (Score:3, Informative)
The legacy of the character that Mr. Doohan brought to life affects not just those who grew up during the 60s. Its entrenchment in popular culture will continue this popular depiction of an engineer recognizable for a long time to come.
A very interesting person (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
BLESS YOU SCOTTY! (Score:3)
Oblig. Quote (Score:3, Funny)
Met him in Edinburgh (Score:3, Insightful)
His Scottish accent worked pretty well in amongst genuine Scots as well.
He was a nice bloke, it's a shame he is going through all this and can't just slip away quietly and with dignity.
Met him and liked him... (Score:3, Informative)
Scotty,
Thank you for the smiles and fun over all those years on small and big screens. But especially, thank you for your selfless service and the way you treated others. You will be missed and well remembered.
Do you suppose he reads slashdot?
I always liked it when Scotty took the bridge (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Original? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Original? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Original? (Score:4, Funny)
"Aye sir. Will a two-by-four do?"
Re:Congratulations (Score:5, Insightful)
Though his body may fail him, his personality, utter magnanimity and talent will live on forever. I salute him. He is truly a geek's geek. [moviewavs.com]
Re:Congratulations (Score:5, Insightful)
True, and well spoken. Scotty is permanently in the geek lexicon. You'd be hard pressed to find a single human being in the western hemisphere that doesn't know what "Scotty, beam me up" means.
In fact, I'm an engineer, and one of the best pieces of engineering advice ever given to me was from his character. "You didn't tell him how long it would really take, did you? You'll never get a reputation as a miracle worker that way."
I still exaggerate my time estimates to this day, and when I come in under the deadline, I look as good as Scotty does, each and every time. I've had entire semesters at college that taught me less useful knowledge than that one simple quote.
Mr. Doohan is a geek icon, and an amazing person aside from his acting career. Most geeks don't know it, but he was part of the D-Day landing. A truly amazing person, and the world will be a smaller place with him not in it. Godspeed, Mr. Scott.
Jimmy Doohan was a fan's hero (Score:5, Interesting)
James Doohan and George Takei always struck me as the two members of the cast who seemed to handle the unlikely fame they received from Star Trek the best. Doohan always remembered that it was the fans that made everything possible.
I'll bet he inspired a great many of the older posters here in their formative years.
In the fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) documentary Trekkies [trekdoc.com] Doohan relates the story of a suicidal Trek fan who confided in him. Doohan took it upon himself to nurse this poor soul back to health. He told the fan that he wanted to see them at the next convention. To his amazement, the fan was there and Doohan graciously met with them, allowing them to come backstage and the whole deal. Doohan tried it again and again the fan showed up at the next convention. They kept this up for a long time (I forget -- it might have been years) when suddenly the fan stopped coming. Doohan feared the worst had happened.
Years later Doohan was stunned when the fan showed up at a convention out of nowhere! The fan told Doohan that they had turned their life around, enrolled in school, and become ... an electrical engineer.
If you haven't seen this film you should definitely rent it. Watching Doohan come close to tears as he tells this story is worth the rental fee right there.
GMD
Re:Jimmy Doohan was a fan's hero (Score:3)
In Trekkies 2 [trekkies2.com], I asked how many of the original actors would be in the movie, but they said most weren't participating because the first Trekkies made enough money that original actors wanted more money for an appearance. Man, I love
Re:Congratulations (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Good for him, but one question (Score:4, Interesting)
if i was a celebrity, no matter how much money i had, i wouldnt get one, just because of that fact.
_He_ didn't buy it, his _fans_ did! (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)