one to beam up . . .

scotty.jpgNewsday:

LOS ANGELES — James Doohan, the burly chief engineer of the Starship Enterprise in the original “Star Trek” TV series and motion pictures who responded to the command “Beam me up, Scotty,” died early Wednesday. He was 85.
Doohan died at 5:30 a.m. at his Redmond, Wash., home with his wife of 28 years, Wende, at his side, Los Angeles agent and longtime friend Steve Stevens said. The cause of death was pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease, he said.

I’m too shocked for a thoughtful eulogy right now. Everyone who watched Star Trek liked Scotty, but everyone who met him loved Jimmy . . . I’m sure I’m not the only person today who feels like they lost a friend. My thoughts are with his family.

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136 thoughts on “one to beam up . . .”

  2. Although I wish he hadn’t died at all, Mr. Doohan died on the anniversary of the first Moon landing. For an actor who inspired so many to go into the space-related professions, what could be more appropriate?

  6. He also died on the anniversary of the first Mars probe landing. A fitting tribute, I think.
    He, like many of the Star Trek cast, was an inspiration to an uncountable multitude. I do feel like I lost a friend. He will be missed.

  7. I can not know what his collegues are feeling, the people that worked with him for decades, the people that knew him as a part of the Star Trek family.. A legend has passed into our fondest memories and dreams, and that my friends is immortality.

  8. I always thought that when you wore a red top and beamed down onto a planet you’d get killed. Scotty never did so in the end I decided he was immortal or something.
    The news today has sadly proved me wrong but I’m sure he will live on in our memories forever.

  11. Scotty was my favorite ToS character. Pneumonia and Alzheimer’s are not how you should have gone out, but I will remember you.

  13. Scotty was The Best. How many of us owe our choice of going to Engineering college partly because of his performance on Star Trek. Sad to see him go, more sad he died of Alzheimers.

  14. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Jimmy in my capacity of sign language interpreter at a Star Trek con in Chicago several years ago. I don’t think Jimmy thought of anyone as just a fan. He loved spending time with them and treated each person as if they were a long-lost friend, including me. On Saturday night, Jimmy hosted a dinner for the fans, dressed in full Scottish regala. He patiently posed for pictures with each individual attendee and with groups. When it was the security team’s turn for a photo, they asked me to join them. Quite an honor. Jimmy saw me coming and called for me to stand next to him. He put his arm around my shoulders, his other arm around another woman from the security team. Just as everyone smiled for the camera, it failed. The photographer apologized and said the batteries had died…it would take a few minutes to replace them. Jimmy just grinned and in that famous burr said, “It’s alright, laddie. I’ve got a beautiful woman in each arm. Hell, take your time!” That broke everyone up. I will miss his wonderful sense of humor and gentle spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

  16. Indeed, he has boldly gone where nobody has gone before … Perhaps he will see his friend again,
    DeForest Kelley… Bless ’em both.

  17. He was an extremely talented actor in whom were many performances that we never got to see. How I wish that the practice of type casting had died today instead of him.

  20. I’d say something more, but everyone above me here has said it all.
    RIP James M. Doohan
    Set phasers for remembering one of the true greats.

  22. Let us all toast a glass of Romulan ale to the best Scotsman that was never a Scotsman.
    “Relics” was one of the most sentimental, heart-felt episodes of TNG – a Trek fan’s episode, a Scotty episode, a testament of the human need to hold on.

  23. Jimmy Doohan was the first Trek star I met, many years ago, and he was infinitely kind to a very intimidated young girl. He introduced me to the other con guests that were around, and gave me enough confidence that I felt okay being in such a foreign environment (what did I know about cons? I just liked the show).
    Years later, I would run into him on occasion while working in Redmond, and he was still just as kind. I know it’s redundant to say, but he will be missed.

  25. James was also the first Trek star I met — actually the only so far — but he came across as just a friendly guy sitting next to you at the corner greasy spoon.
    I don’t remember much of what we talked about, but I’ve held onto his memory and autograph for the last 20 years, and I’ll continue to cherish not only that moment, but everything that he inspired me to do.

  26. I remember meeting Jimmy Doohan when I was 13 years old in at a Star Trek convention in a hotel in Des Moines, IA. He let all the kids sit in the area between the stage and the regular seating. When Q and A time came around, he passed the microphone to all the kids in the front so they could ask him silly kid questions. I can’t remember what I asked him; I’m 25 now, but the kindness he presented to the kids at that convention was a step above HOLLYWOOD. I’m not a “trekkie” or “trekker”, but I certainly recognize the uniqueness of the original “Star Trek” TV series. I still have that autograph he gave me, a young, eager, dorky kid from Iowa. He will always be remembered…

  31. I learned that an engineer wasn’t just the guy on trains because of him. 🙂 He was probably one of the main influences to me at an early age that got me interested in sciences.

  32. Scottie was one of my favorite characters, too. I know he’s up There with ‘ol Bones drinking some Scotch…(or Romulan ale) or something…just having a grand time.

  33. like a lot of people I saw him at a Trek convention and was touched by his personality. I kinda wish now I had spoke up and at least said hi when passing him in that empty convention center hallway. At the time I felt he probably would just rather have some privacy. He was genuine and will be missed by millions…Alan

  34. Actor James Doohan, who played the chief engineer Montgomery Scott in Star Trek, has died at the age of 85.
    I met and got to hang with him only once, when I was doing event security at a Star Trek convention in Columbus, Ohio.
    After the con was over, several of the guests and the staff got to hang out at a dinner and bar afterwards. We were both drinking scotch.
    As we both lifted our glasses to take a sip, our eyes met over our glasses and we both smiled and tipped our glasses to each other. I set my glass down and took another run on the pool table, sinking 3 in a row and winning the game. When Scotty gives you the nod, you’re all set to perform well.
    “Good shot.” He said.
    “thanks!” i replied “You wanna game?”
    “oh no thanks…” He smiled back.
    Here’s to you James Doohan! I’ll tip my glass for you anytime.

  35. I too met Jimmy Doohan at a con, many many years ago, and he could not have been nicer. Even though I was never a fan of the original series or movies, I bought a pic and had him autograph it. He was truly a class act, and I’m glad I met him.
    Wil-
    My memory is hazy – were you still on the series when Relics was shot? If so, please post about it.

  37. Met him on a ferry in Seattle, he was so nice. I was so afraid that he wouldn’t appreciate being approached by a fan. He put me at ease quickly. He will be missed.

  38. Jimmy has a 5 year old daughter. I feel sorry for her because she will grow up without him. But many people will share with her their memories of the wonderful man he was.
    Like many others, I only saw Jimmy at conventions. One of the last times I saw him was in a convention hotel restaurant having dinner. His wife and baby daughter were with him along with Walter Koenig and some others. I was eating alone and their table was directly in my line of sight so I couldn’t help but look at them occassionally. They were a quiet group and Jimmy looked quite content.
    The last time I saw Jimmy was at another convention after the one above. In addition to his Q&A, he was going to do autographs. When I presented my photo, it took him a bit to carefully sign his name, but he still did it. I asked for a photo with him and Jimmy requested that I sit in his lap for the pose. Always the eye for the ladies, right Jimmy? I’m smiling right now at the memory. Of course, you said “yes” because this was Jimmy and you couldn’t refuse his request.
    Peace, Jimmy.

  39. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Jimmy at two KC Trek conventions in the late 70s, and saw him at several others over the years. Despite the thousands of fans he’d see each year, he remembered my name when we’d cross paths.
    He seldom kept to the stage at con appearances, preferring a wireless mike (if available, or one with a very long cord) so that he could walk among the fans to take their questions, shake hands, and regale us with stories he must’ve told hundreds, if not thousands, of times. There never was a Fourth Wall with Jimmy. He truly embraced the fans, and went out of his way to make them all feel special.
    He was the epitome of a Class Act.
    Here’s to ye, lad. Raise a shot of Single Malt with De Kelley when you see him.
    Myself, I’ll have to screen my copy of “Relics,” and raise my own melancholy toast.

  40. Awesome guy, awesome character, and it was all Jimmy.
    I’ll always remember him for his fun performance in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. That scene with the Apple computer had me rolling.

  42. When my son was small, he slept with Scotty’s guide to the enterprise…he was consumed by the character.
    Thank-you Mr Doohan, for allowing my husband and i to introduce our children to you…. and thank you for all of your gifts you gave to Star trek fans everywhere.
    You gave me the best piece of advice i ever got…..
    “”How many times da I have to tell ya…the right tool for the right job!”
    Godspeed to you James Doohan

  43. Truly this is a sad day. Scotty is one of my all time favorite Star Trek characters and James Doohan will always be one of my all time favorite people. His kindness and generosity to the fans of Trek will forever be remembered fondly. Again I echo the refrain that he will be missed. My thoughts go to his family and a toast goes out to the “Mircle Worker” of the starship Enterprise.

  45. when i was a kid…i watched STAR TREK on television…nothing unusual about that…alot of kids watched STAR TREK…and make no mistake about it…CAPTAIN KIRK was my favorite character…but there was another character that may have affected me more as far as my choice of career…there was a character on STAR TREK…CHIEF ENGINEER MONTGOMERY SCOTT…known to the crew as SCOTTY…SCOTTY was a master of technology…whererever he would go…he’d be pushing buttons…and working with all kinds of cool looking high tech stuff…today when i got the news of the passing of JAMES DOOHAN…the man who played SCOTTY on STAR TREK…i looked around the radio station control room where i was sitting…and the resemblence to the equipment of television’s USS ENTERPRISE was striking…complete with blinking lights that basically don’t do much of anything…and slide pots on the control board that look for all the world, like the controls to the transporter…my 9 year old self would have been exceedingly pleased to be sitting where i was…in my life i had found myself in a career where i got to work with stuff that looked just like the stuff that SCOTTY lovingly operated and repaired on my favorite television show…i guess the 9 year old in me is still alive and well…because sometimes…when the flashing weather alert icon is spinning red on the METRO NEWS monitor…and a storm is raging outside…when the lightening is flashing and the thunder is booming…i find myself wanting to tell my listeners…aye captain…i don’t know how much more of this pounding the transmitter can stand…she cannae take much more of this…
    so JAMES DOOHAN…AKA SCOTTY…you will be missed…but i have only to look around me to remember you…the man who made pushing buttons and sliding controls to and fro look mighty cool in the eyes of a litttle boy…something that no doubt pushed me to the career i’ve been working at since i was 14…only these days i’m not beaming up people from the surface to the ship…i’m beaming up songs and commercials from the hard drive of the computer…boldly going where it appears i was always meant to go.

  46. My heart goes out to his family, friends and the millions of fans that enjoy his performances.
    Farewell Jimmy. DeForest is waiting.

  47. The Universe will never be the same again.
    I had no idea Jimmy lived in Redmond, Washington. Just up the road from me. The Pacific Northwest and the World will miss him dearly.
    He will never be forgotten.

  48. AP: In a 1998 interview, Doohan was asked if he ever got tired of hearing the line “Beam me up, Scotty.”
    “I’m not tired of it at all,” he replied. “Good gracious, it’s been said to me for just about 31 years. It’s been said to me at 70 miles an hour across four lanes on the freeway. I hear it from just about everybody. It’s been fun.”
    Remember that part, Wil. A good number of us yelling “hey, Ensign Crusher!” love Wesley because of you, too.

  49. Two questions that I hope Wil can address when he gets around to his posting.
    I remember one of the funnier Far Side cartoons was the “Scotty in Hell” one — it was just so ridiculous — with someone who looked vaguely like James Doohan running up to the Devil, shouting about how “the engines kenna take no mur!”
    Did Doohan ever express an opinion about that cartoon?
    And in one of the later Futurama episodes, Scotty was replaced with “Welshie.” Was that because Doohan was too ill by then?

  50. Thanks Will, that is a great collection of eulogy’s. May we all leave behind great memories and great friends to eulogize us so well and to have inspired many more to live.
    Ches

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