He was given an honorary Degree in Engineering by the Milwaukee School of Engineering where apparently half of the students polled said they were inspired to study engineering by his role in "Star Trek" (1966).
He was the only then-living "Star Trek" (1966) cast member not to lend his voice to the "Futurama" (1999) episode "Where No Fan Has Gone Before", leading to his character Scotty being replaced by the farcical Welshie. According to the show's creators, his only response to their request that he appear on the show was a simple "No way.".
He was the youngest of four children of William Doohan (a pharmacist, veterinarian and dentist) and Sarah Doohan. His early life was miserable because of his father being a drunk and abusive to the entire family.
His grandson, Kyle, was born in 1987. He is the son of Doohan's second daughter, Deirdre.
His parents, William and Sarah Doohan, were (at the time of his birth) recent Catholic refugees from mainly Protestant Belfast who left Ireland during the War of Independence (also called the Anglo-Irish War).
In Gene DeWeese's 2005 Star Trek novel "The Engines of Destiny", a last farewell to Doohan is made. Scotty finally retires at age 200 from being a "Miracle Worker", at Starfleet's Corps of Engineers.
In Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), the Dr. Nichols character wore an "I Quit Smoking" badge. This represents an engineer's surrender of a habit. James Doohan had personal experiences with his father's alcoholism, while living in British Columbia, Canada.
In real life, he had some engineering expertise. He often went boating with Gene Roddenberry after "Star Trek" (1966)'s cancellation, and recalled in an interview that his experience was needed to save Roddenberry from serious danger.
Landed on Juno Beach on D-Day as a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Soon after, while walking across a mine field, he and his unit were attacked by enemy fire, as the Germans shot at them with machine guns. He was hit by four bullets to the leg, his middle finger of his right hand was shot off, and a bullet struck his chest. His life was saved when it hit a silver cigarette case which had been given to him by his brother.
Made his first ("Where No Man Has Gone Before" episode of "Star Trek" (1966)) and last (Star Trek: Generations (1994) ) "Star Trek" appearances with William Shatner.
Now he has passed away, Grace Lee Whitney, born April 1, 1930, is the oldest living Star Trek cast member.
On D-Day, his Royal Canadian Artillery unit was assigned to land on Juno Beach (the Canadian beach - Gold and Sword were British, Omaha and Utah were American). When returning to his Command Post, after liaising with the unit's Regimental Survey Officer, Lieutenant Doohan was machine-gunned and took eight bullets: three in his hand, smashing his middle finger; four in his leg and one in his chest. The one shot in his chest would have proved fatal if not for a silver cigarette case he had in the breast pocket of his uniform.
Received a special tribute as part of the Annual Memorial tribute at The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007) (TV), which was over 18 months after his actual death.
Received the honour of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 31, 2004.
Suffered a massive heart attack in 1979.
Suffered from Alzheimer's disease and was ravaged by Parkinson's disease, diabetes, lung fibrosis and pneumonia.
The date of his death, July 20, 2005, is the anniversary of what is arguably the greatest engineering achievement in human history, the landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon.
Toured as Spokesman for Philips Electronics HDTV 1999.
Was among many World War II veterans to publicly thank Steven Spielberg for not holding back on the intensity of the Normandy Invasion scene in Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Was scouted for acting roles in Hollywood by fellow Canadian actor William Shatner. When asked by Gene Roddenberry what accent to give the engineer, he chose Scottish, for Scotland's numerous engineering accomplishments and his own ancestry.