July 20, 2005

James Doohan, known the world over as chief engineer Scotty on the popular TV series “Star Trek” and the popular movie tie-ins that followed, passed away today from Alzheimer’s disease. Mr. Doohan was a special friend of the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation and was honored at a dinner and fundraiser to support Alzheimer’s disease research at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles on August 28 of last year, shortly after his announcement to the public that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr. Doohan passed away at 5:30 this morning at his home in Redmond, Washington with his wife of 28 years, Wende, by his side. The cause of death was cited as pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease.

James Montgomery Doohan was born in Vancouver, Canada on March 3, 1920, the youngest of four children. He relates in his autobiography, “Beam Me Up, Scotty,” how he left home at age 19 and joined the Canadian army to escape the tumult of an alcoholic father. He served in Europe during World War II, then returned to North America to pursue a career in acting.

A master of dialect with a booming voice, he appeared in many films, radio programs, and TV shows in both Canada and the U.S. His most famous turn was as the powerful presence “Scotty” from “Star Trek” who, with his trademark Scottish burr, responded to the command, “Beam me up, Scotty.”

Mr. Doohan will be remembered by The Fisher Center Foundation as a friend in the fight against Alzheimer’s. The James Doohan Farewell Star Trek Dinner and Tribute, hosted by Doug Conway/Planet Xpo and with The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation last August, raised critical funds for Alzheimer’s research and the search for a cure for a disease that afflicts some 4.5 million Americans.

To make a donation to support Alzheimer’s Research, please visit www.ALZinfo.org.

By www.ALZinfo.org, The Alzheimer’s Information Site.