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LOS ANGELES — “Star Trek” actor James Doohan — famed for his portrayal of “Beam Me Up” Scotty, the intrepid engineer who kept the starship Enterprise warping across galaxies — grinned and waved to fans Tuesday as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
It was expected to be the last public appearance of the 84-year-old performer, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and also suffers from Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and lung fibrosis.
The ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard was the culmination of several days of farewell activities that brought Doohan back into contact with many of this longtime fans.
George Takei, who played Sulu on “Star Trek,” told the crowd: “This is a galactic day in this town full of stars.
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“We’ve gathered from throughout this planet to say congratulations to you, Jimmy,” Takei said. “We love you and we thank you for your luminous talent. We thank you for the gift you have given us of that unforgettable character, that ingenious and beloved engineer that was able to fix anything.”
Other “Star Trek” cast members to attend were Nichelle Nichols, who was Uhura on the series, and Walter Koenig, who played Chekov.
“He’s a wonderful friend, a beautiful person,” Nichols said of Doohan. “There is no one better than he, and no one more deserving. We all love this man.”
Koenig said he felt great companionship with Doohan after decades of working together, from the original TV series in 1966 to their last film in 1994, “Star Trek: Generations.”
“This star is a recognition of a man’s talent, his endurance and the effect that he’s had on people all over the world,” Koenig said.
Doohan did not speak to the crowd, but he waved and posed for photos before leaving with his family.
© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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