James Doohan Has Alzheimer's

[FredM 0]

The actor who played Scotty in TV's Star Trek has Alzheimer's disease.

 

James Doohan, 84, also has Parkinson's disease, diabetes, lung fibrosis and suffered a bout of pneumonia.

 

His Wife Wende, 47, said: "With Jimmy it's the loss of words. He is not so sick yet that he doesn't know people.

 

"And there are times when he is as sharp as a tack. But it's the older memories that stick.

 

"What he had for breakfast might be an iffy thing, but golly he could tell you all about how he got the part in Star Trek."

 

Jimmy's character was told on the US Enterprise: "Beam Me Up Scotty."

 

A tribute to the actor is to take place in Hollywood next month.

 

Source: Skynews

 

What's worse, didn't they just have a child not too long ago? What a shame....here's hoping the illness doesn't move all that fast.

 

I know at the end of August he'll be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. What a shame...

Edited July 2, 2004 by FredM

[Merina 0]

Oh man!!!

[Tachyon 0]

:P

 

That and:

 

:mellow:

 

Boy, these emoticons are useful. It's a shame that we still haven't found curse for these diseases. And to have four of them at one time . . . all I can say is that I am at a loss for words.

[Travis Kroells 0]

Man, that down right sucks. Of all the Eningeers I found him to be my best.

 

I mean, He could probably of built a space station if Kirk needed it.

[Nemesis 0]

It's a very cruel disease, my Grandfather has it and it makes things hard. It's very sad to find out a great Canadian actor is to be suffering from this disease on Canada Day.

[Seiben 0]

Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that. :mellow: Scotty was one of my favourite TOS characters, and it's a real shame he came up with it so close to being honoured and all.

[DaryusZaphodDracal 0]

:mellow: That is so sad. :P My prayers go out to the great miracle worker and his family.

 

Zaphod,

[Tovan 0]

Death ... it is inevitable ...

[Dumbass 0]

Death ... it is inevitable ...

OK, I feel sorry for Doohan and his family, but what did we really expect? He is 84 years old and overweight. No one lives forever.

[FredM 0]

Hey there,

 

Well, I kind of think it's...I don't know. Modern medicine does have a downside. They had a child not more than a few years ago and you know, I have to wonder why someone would want to bring a youngester into the world when (at the time) they knew Doohan wasn't in the best of health and not getting any younger?

 

I mean heck, the chances of him being alive long enough to see his own child's high school graduation were slim even before. Now...

[Merina 0]

They had a child not more than a few years ago and you know, I have to wonder why someone would want to bring a youngester into the world when (at the time) they knew Doohan wasn't in the best of health and not getting any younger?

 

I mean heck, the chances of him being alive long enough to see his own child's high school graduation were slim even before. Now...

I feel sorry for his daughter Sara(h).

[Ki'rok 0]

I feel your pain, Nem'.

 

Alzheimers is a vicious little disease...if you read my post concerning Reagan, then you know I lost my grandmother...who practically raised me... to it. Of course, she is not dead, yet...just lost...somewhere behind those dim green eyes. There is no language, no recognition, no hope...and that is probably the worst part...all there is...is the promise of eventual death. So...we visit her each week...try to offer some comfort...and pray for the best... Noone understands..and noone hates Alzheimers more than me...

 

As for Doohan's daughter...she has a hard road ahead of her. BUT...she HAS that road because two people loved each other and brought her into the world. Having seen the alternative, I think he wanted to live while he was alive...and isn't that what we all want...really...

 

Sorry for the serious side...but hey...its a serious topic..

[Vex Xiang 0]

Anyone else notice his wife is half his age?

 

Having a child at that age, you kind of have to prepare for the fact that you might not be around by the time he/she hits highschool or college. Living to 84 is actually a pretty long life. The avg human only lives to 75 give or take a few years.

 

And people with the diseases he have can live normal lives for quite a while with proper medical care and treatment. I'm sure James has plenty of resources to get the best medical care possible. I think he'll be with us for several years yet.

[FredM 0]

I think he'll be with us for several years yet.

Hey there,

 

Physically, I agree with you. Having had a relative go thru something similiar to Alzheimer's, I an tell you that mentally will be a completely different story.

[Travis Kroells 0]

Yep. He'll be long dead before he dies...

[AndrewLyon 0]

I never played an engineering character for long. However, when someone mentions that word, the first face I see is Scotty. The old trickerst ready to pull off one more mircal for the crew of the Enterprise.

Its a shame he's so beat up, and I wish him & his family nothing but the best. Considering how some of those desases they are getting close to understanding, maybe Scotty does have a long shot, but he might pull out of this.

:: Raises the Canadien Flag:: God Speed, Scotty!

[Nemesis 0]

He won't be dead, as long as there is someone there to remember for him.

[Seiben 0]

Yeah.. though Scotty's phsyical time is limited, at least his memories will linger with us forevermore. :D I guess that's what's most important, eh?

[FredM 0]

Hey all,

 

Here's a followup story to Mr. Doohan's condition that was posted on www.trektoday.com today.

 

Agent Steve Stevens, who represents James Doohan, said that the actor beloved as Star Trek's Scotty has been experiencing memory loss for months - a condition initially attributed as a side effect of his medication for Parkinson's disease.

 

Stevens told Reuters (via Yahoo!) that the Canadian-born Doohan had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which also afflicted Doohan's brother before his death two years ago. Doohan, 84, also has pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease which Stevens said was related to exposure to hazardous chemicals during Doohan's military service in World War Two, during the course of which the 84-year-old actor was wounded at the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

 

The agent explained that Doohan learned to perform the brogue he used as Scotty while bunking with a Scottish-born soldier he bunked with during the war. "He can talk about his Army days and his old acting days and give you dates and details of whatever, but it's hard for him to remember yesterday," explained Stevens. "That's why we're having one last convention." He said that Doohan plans to attend a convention in late August timed to coincide with the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Planet Xpo has named the August convention "Beam Me Up Scotty - One Last Time" in tribute to Doohan, who will attend along with all the surviving cast members of the original Star Trek series. The event will include Doohan's last autograph and photo sessions with fans. He will also be presented with a reference book about Scotty by the author.

 

Doohan's son Chris told E! Online that his father was suffering more from Parkinson's and his lung condition than he was from Alzheimer's. Asked about the reputed feud between Doohan and co-star William Shatner (Kirk), Chris Doohan said, "It's all water under the bridge at this point...my dad and William Shatner got together recently and told each other how much they love each other."

 

Source: Doohan's Agent, Son Discuss His Condition

[Seiben 0]

Well..that's good to hear that ol'Scotty got together with Will there. :D Nice to see that their differences are being put aside.