Birthday: James Doohan

Born in Vancouver in 1920, James Doohan struggled through his youth as the son of an alcoholic father. At the age of 19 he joined World War II as a captain in the Royal Canadian Artillery. While leading his men into battle on D-Day he was wounded in the leg and lost a finger. He spent the remainder of the war as a pilot observer.

Upon returning from Europe Doohan began his acting career in New York at the Neighborhood Playhouse. He worked with such actors as Leslie Nielson, Tony Randall and Jackie Gleason. For years he traveled between New York and Canada and at one time was known as Canada's busiest actor. In 1966 he earned the role of Scotty on the television show Star Trek. Although the show only lasted a few seasons the characters were bought together for numerous feature films. In the years since the show and movies Doohan has toured the continent giving speeches at universities and 'Trekkie' conventions.

Doohan has four children with his first wife Janet. He remarried in 1975 to his current wife Wende who was 19 years old to his 55. They have three children including a girl born in April of 2000.

In 2004 it was announced that along with Diabetes and Parkinson's Disease, Doohan was suffering from early signs of Alzheimer's Disease.

If James Doohan died today he would be worth 15 points for Izzy.