James Doohan

James Doohan

(James Doohan during World War 2 and in Star Trek)

James Doohan was born on March 3, 1920 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

He was the youngest of four Siblings. 

His Father, William, was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and was a Pharmacist, Veterinarian, Dentist and a Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.

His Mother, Sarah Frances (née Montgomery) was also from Northern Ireland.

James and his Family moved from British Columbia to Sarnia, Ontario.

James attended High School at Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School, where he excelled in Mathematics and Science.

In 1938 he enrolled in the 102nd Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps which is a National Youth Program across Canada.

When Canada entered World War 2 in September 1939 James enlisted in the Canadian Army, joining the Royal Canadian Artillery, 14th (Midland) Field Battery of the 2nd Canadian Division.

He was later moved to the 13th Field Regiment of the 3rd Canadian Division in their 22nd Field Battery.

In 1940 he was a Lieutenant and sent to the United Kingdom.

On D-Day (June 6, 1944) James landed at Juno Beach in German-Occupied France.

James shot two German Snipers before leading his Men through a field of Anti-Tank Mines to higher ground.

That night, James was hit by 6 rounds (four in his leg, one in his chest and one through his middle right finger) by a nervous Canadian Sentry who thought he was a German.

His right finger had to be amputated (forcing him to hide it later in life with a flesh-colored glove and a fake finger.)

James then graduated from Air Observation Pilot Course 40 and flew Taylorcraft Auster Mark V Aircraft for 666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF as a Royal Canadian Artillery Officer in support of 1st Army Group Royal Canadian Artillery.

He was nicknamed the “Craziest Pilot in the Canadian Air Force.”

In the Spring of 1945, near RAF Andover in England,  he slammed a Plane between telegraph poles to prove it could be done.

After the War, James moved to London, Ontario, Canada.

Upon hearing a Radio Drama he thought he could do a better job at Voice Acting then the person speaking on the Radio and recorded his voice.

He then went to the Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto.

From there he won a two year Scholarship to the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, where his Classmates included Leslie Nielsen, Tony Randall, and Richard Boone.

In 1946 he was working for CBS Radio commuting between Toronto and New York.

In 1949 he married Janet Young and had four Children together.

They divorced in 1964.

He made his TV Debut as a Detective on the show “Martin Kane, Private Eye” and appeared in 54 episodes.

He performed in over 4,000 Radio Programs and 450 Television Programs during this period,

In 1966 he played the role of Montgomery "Scotty" Scott on “Star Trek: The Original Series” until it ended in 1969.

In 1967 he married Anita Yagel.

They divorced in 1972.

In 1974 he married Wende Braunberger and they had three Children.

He reprised the role for different Stra Trek Movies: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989), Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991) and Star Trek Generations (1994.)

James Doohan died on July 20, 2005, at his home in Redmond, Washington, due to Complications of Pulmonary Fibrosis, which was believed to be from exposure to Noxious Substances during World War II.

He was 85 years old.