Doohan Bids Farewell To Fans

James Doohan said farewell to the world of Star Trek this weekend at a convention in his honour entitled "Beam Me Up Scotty", attended by the entire living cast of the original series and leading up to the ceremony on Tuesday at which he will be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Though ailing, Doohan was reportedly in high spirits for this final round of public appearances, attended by fans as well as actors, family members and an astronaut.

The Associated Press (via The Mercury News) reported that the 84-year-old "Scotty" actor blew kisses to fans during events held to benefit a research foundation for Alzheimer's disease, from which Doohan suffers. The actor's son Chris Doohan credited Star Trek fans with helping raise money for the actor's star.

The Los Angeles Times' Richard Fausset wrote from a ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel that "the denizens of this peculiar universe stood united: the valiant Starfleet commanders, the fierce Romulan warriors, the pimply speculators in the action figure market", noting that fans had paid up to $995 to take part in the two-day convention, where Doohan - suffering from Parkinson's disease as well - spoke at a news conference and circulated among fans.

"Some of the hundreds who made the trip for the chance to see him one last time said they paid the admission because over the years, the man they knew as Scotty always took the time to talk to them, sign autographs and chat about alternate universes, obscure plot points and spaceship specs," Fausset said. Chris Doohan observed that while many actors become upset about typecasting, "that didn't concern him, because he was typecast as Scotty...it's been his bread and butter."

TrekWeb has posted a report sent in by a fan, who first visited the dealer's room and saw Roddenberry On Patrol and the auction at which Doohan's outfit from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Then William Shatner (Kirk) and Leonard Nimoy (Spock) held a panel at which they "insult[ed] each other for an hour", with Nimoy joking about Shatner's weight and Shatner claiming that when he named a price for appearing on Star Trek: Enterprise, the producers seemed less interested in having him appear. After a taped tribute, Doohan himself appeared in a motorized wheelchair with his family and was greeted by astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Planet Xpo put on the convention last weekend. Doohan will receive his star in front of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

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