JAMES "SCOTTY" DOOHAN DIES

Sad to mention that James Doohan, who portrayed Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott in the original "Star Trek" series during the 1960s and in seven movies, died earlier today at his Redmond, Washington home at the age of 85.

The Canadian born Doohan was ruled to have passed away as a result of pneumonia and complications of Alzheimer's disease. His wife of 28 years, Wende, was at his side at the time of death. He had reportedly remained out of the public eye since being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in August of last year. He had also suffered from Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and lung fibrosis, which he had developed after chemical exposure during service in the Royal Canadian Artillery (and became a captain for real).

Doohan got the "Star Trek" gig as the Scottish chief engineer after a successful career as a character actor in films, radio, and television. He was married three times, and fathered a total of nine children...the youngest born in 2000 when he was 80 years of age.

James Doohan has been "beamed up" to the true "Final Frontier"...RIP!