Heartwarming Story about James Doohan

[Alan Castillo]

Great, unsurprising story. Could you post a pic of the model?

Truly heartwarming I'd love to see a pic too :thumbsup

 

[Rodann]

I only met him at Dragoncon 2001 for an autograph. He seemed like a "sweet old man" at that point, but I figured some of it might be due to his condition as well. But he was all smiles

Not too many like that......

 

[Ttaskmaster]

Now THAT is a movie star!!

 

[Apollo]

Yes Chris is a member here.

That was an awesome story! Isn't his son a member on the forums?

 

[GotWookiee]

I truly wish I had met him before he died. You just never hear anything bad about the man from anyone. I recall a story from Trekkies where he talked someone out of suicide or something like that.

This is a great story. I would love to see photos of that model.

 

[Treadwell]

I recall a story from Trekkies where he talked someone out of suicide or something like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsSdLD_YodQ

 

[tripoli]

I was at a con and brought a book along about the revival of Star Trek by Bijo Trimble. Bjo became a celebrity in a way as she lead the petition drive to bring back Star trek with NBC as well the motion picture down the road. I knew here from cons and helping with a few local con petitions years ago.
James Doohan was there and I had already had most if not all the rest of the cast signed in the book already. I noted He was the last one I would need and he ask of I knew Bjo. I said yes and he just warmed up like I was a long lost friend. Despite a huge line, we talked for about 10 minutes and he was just great to be around for the con. Got to spend more time after he gave a speech and showed a gag reel he brought along, Doohan was just super to spend time with. I think only George Takei was the only one I could say had as much or more more enthusiasm and warmth to the fan base than James Doohan.

 

[Treadwell]

Here's a Jimmie Doohan experience that happened to a friend of mine:

I went to a convention in Orlando where James Doohan was attending a couple of years before his passing. For some reason the autograph room was empty so I said I am going to talk to James. I walked right up to his table as held my hand out, and I said, "Mr. Doohan, your show is the reason I joined the Navy."

He took my hand, not shook it, and guided me around the table and had me sit with him. He told me how he has family in the U.S. Navy, and told me his harrowing remembrance of storming the beaches of Normandy and getting shot four times, but then he stared asking questions of me. What I did, how my family handled me being gone so often, in a few minutes we were both a couple of veterans sharing stories of victories and losses.

It was magical. His handler shuffled me off and he stood with great difficulty and gave me many blessings. I nearly cried as I often nearly do in sharing histories with old soldiers. To compensate I shouted at Julia Nickson that I loved her and that Double Dragon was one of the most awesomest movies ever.

Later I am in the lobby with the girl I was trying to impress, and Mr. Doohan, handler in tow, walked through and to me it seemed like he veered off his path and came over to see me. He patted me on the shoulder and said more very nice things to me. It was remarkable that he took the time to come my way when I knew it was hard for him to do so.