Scifiwire Movie News

James Doohan retires due to health
Patrick Stewart undergoes angioplasty

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James Doohan retires due to health

Hundreds of Star Trek fans showed up to see original star James Doohan (Scotty) as he appeared at one last convention on Aug. 29 in Los Angeles before retiring from public life, the Associated Press reported. The 84-year-old actor decided to retire after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease several months ago. He blew kisses to a crowd of Trekkie faithful gathered at the finale of a two-day tribute held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, the AP reported.

On Aug. 31, Doohan will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "We're just very proud to honor dad with this star," his son, Chris Doohan, told the AP. "A lot of Star Trek fans helped us out with this."

Doohan, who also has Parkinson's disease and diabetes, mingled with fans at the convention and spoke at a news conference between Scotty impersonation contests and a panel discussion titled "The Influence of Scotty on Society." The event's proceeds will benefit an Alzheimer's research foundation, the AP reported.
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Patrick Stewart undergoes angioplasty

Patrick Stewart, star of X-Men and Star Trek films, is recovering at home after undergoing an angioplasty procedure last week to widen an artery, his publicist told the Associated Press. The 64-year-old Stewart, best known as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, underwent "pre-emptive angioplasty" on Aug. 23 after an annual physical examination detected a blood-flow problem, his publicist, Kelly Bush, told the wire service. An angioplasty widens a narrowed blood vessel with a balloon catheter.

Bush described the procedure as a success and said that Stewart is resting before returning to work this week, when he plans to finish the upcoming movie The Game of Their Lives. Stewart's recovery forced him to miss a planned personal appearance over the weekend in Toronto, where he was set to visit a Canadian SF festival, the AP reported