With fans like these, Scotty can’t help but be beaming
Hundreds of “Star Trek” fans showed up in Los Angeles over the weekend to see James Doohan as he appeared at one last convention before retiring from public life. The 84-year-old actor, who played “Scotty” on the ‘60s TV series, decided to retire after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease several months ago.
He blew kisses to Trekkie faithful gathered at Sunday’s finale of a two-day tribute at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.
Doohan, who played the USS Enterprise’s affable chief engineer, Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott (of “Beam me up, Scotty” fame), today will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Doohan, who also has Parkinson’s disease and diabetes, mingled with fans at the convention, which included Scotty impersonation contests and a discussion of “The Influence of Scotty on Society.”
“He wanted to say goodbye to his fans,” said one, Dave Mendel of Virginia, who was dressed in full Klingon battle armor. “How could you not show up for that?”
He just needed a little more inner space
Patrick Stewart, who starred in a “Star Trek” TV sequel, is recovering at home after undergoing an angioplasty procedure to widen an artery after doctors detected a blood flow problem during his annual physical.
The 64-year-old Stewart, who played Capt. Jean-Luc Picard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” films, plans to return to work this week to finish the upcoming movie “The Game of Their Lives.” He also will start voiceover work on the Fox TV animated series “American Dad.”
Tossed salad and donor eggs
“Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer and his wife, former Playboy model Camille Donatacci, are the parents of a second child born to a surrogate mother.
Jude Gordon Grammer, a boy born Saturday in Sacramento, Calif., weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces. The couple’s daughter, Mason Olivia, was born to a surrogate mother in October 2001.
Just wait until the kid starts kicking
Soccer star David Beckham and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, have announced that they are expecting their third child in March. They have two sons: Brooklyn, 5, and Romeo, 2.
The marriage of Britain’s No. 1 celebrity couple came under strain in April when a former personal aide to Beckham claimed they had an affair. He dismissed the claim as “ludicrous” and “absurd.”
Will DNA leave DMB SOL?
The Dave Matthews Band says it is cooperating with authorities to determine what happened when a Chicago tour boat with more than 100 passengers was doused with raw sewage.
A lawsuit by Illinois’ attorney general contends the band’s tour bus emptied its septic tank while crossing a grated bridge over the Chicago River on Aug. 8.
The band issued a statement on its Web site saying members have offered to provide DNA evidence to help authorities determine the source of the sewage.
Quoteworthy, take one
Comedian Jimmy Fallon, on the steamy Miami weather during Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards: “I felt like I wrestled SpongeBob.”
Quoteworthy, take two
South Florida resident Marilyn Manson, on the same subject: “I sold my soul, so I don’t sweat.”
The birthday bunch
Singer Van Morrison is 59. Actor Richard Gere is 55. Singer Chris Whitley is 44. Actor Chris Tucker (“Rush Hour”) is 32. Singer Tamara (Trina and Tamara) is 27.