William Windom R.I.P....

[alpha_leonis]

... and he was very gracious towards his fans towards the end: he even reprised his role in an episode of the "New Voyages" fan-produced series.

 

[Caligula]

"The Doomsday Machine" is my favorite TOS episode, and William Windom is the reason why. He did such a wonderful job portraying the guilt-ridden, revenge-minded Commodore Matt Decker.

 

[Garrovick]

RIP Mr. Windom. Definitely one of the most memorable guest-spot roles in all of Trek.

 

[golakers]

So, is this a little weird?

Last night, after seeing his obit on the LA Times website, I decided to watch Doomsday Machine as a mini-tribute to Commodore Decker.

Every time he came on screen, I couldn't help but think: "You're in 1967. I see you then, and know that you will pass away on August 19, 2012. Today is that day." Eerie.

He was great. Always sad to see another TOS-era actor pass away. Time marches on.

 

[Gojira]

RIP Captain Decker. Thanks for the your work!

 

[Grant]

Great character actor, with a great legacy.

Going unnoticed was the passing, the day before, of character actor Biff Elliot--who played Schmitter in 'Devil in the Dark'.

A nothing part, but Hicthcock loved him! He appeared in 5 Alfred Hitchcock presents!

 

[Gary7]

In case anyone here didn't know, William Windom participated in a Star Trek fan movie "In Harm's Way", reprising his role as Commodore Matt Decker (Barbara Luna makes an appearance in the episode too). It was a short role and it didn't catch him in the best of light (he overacted like mad), but... it was so cool to see him again. For details see Star Trek Phase II.

RIP, Mr. Windom. Thank you for your terrific performance in Star Trek. You will definitely be missed.

 

[Doomsday]

I agree with all the above, Doomsday Machine has always been my favorite TOS episode, and he was one of the big reasons. In addition to all the other appearances noted...does anyone remember he also played the prosecuting attorney in "To Kill a Mockingbird" oppossite Gregory Peck? He was fantastic in that.

Incidently, in that same film, you saw lots of ST alumni (pre-ST of course). Brock Peters, John Megna, Frank Overton, Paul Fix, and I think a few others....

 

[bbailey861]

"The Doomsday Machine" was one of the best TOS had to offer and was due in large part by William Windom's portrayal of Commodore Matt Decker. R.I.P.

 

[ToddPence]

No one here has yet mentioned his best-known role to the general public, in "To Kill a Mockingbird".

I also remember TV guest spots, just off the top of my head, in The Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, The Fugitive, The Invaders, All in the Family, The Incredible Hulk and the A-team pilot.

 

[Caligula]

Earlier I had spoken with my father about how Windom was one of those guys I've probably seen in a bunch of movies/TV shows and didn't even know it. I'd completely forgotten (no telling why) that he was the prosecuting attorney in To Kill a Mockingbird!

 

[Michael]

I think I'm going to rewatch "The Doomsday Machine" tonight. Almost perfect episode.

Or I could listen to one of the audio commentaries he did for the TZ blu-rays ...

 

[SchwEnt]

^^^ I have always LOVED that Decker avatar.

I'll say this much...
Windom's Decker is quite possibly the single greatest guest performance in all Star Trek--and I'm including ALL series and ALL movies.

When you consider some of the performances over the decades, that's saying something.

 

[Satyrquaze]

RIP Mr. Windom.

Thank you for giving us on the most memorable performances in all of Trek.

 

[MANT!]

I looked up his service record,

per Memory Alpha..

Enlisted in the US Army during World War II. He served from 1943 to 1946, primarily assigned to the European Theater of Operations as a paratrooper with Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. His final rank was Technician Fifth Grade.

At the war's end, Windom had amassed an impressive record and was a qualified parachutist as well as having been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), Good Conduct Medal, and the foreign awards of the Order of Wilhelm and the Belgium Croix de Guerre. He was also awarded the campaign ribbons for the European and American Theaters, as well as receiving the Army Occupation Medal for post war service in Germany and the World War II Victory Medal. In the 1980s, Windom also qualified for the Bronze Star Medal, by virtue of his having been awarded the CIB during World War II.

So he didn't just act the hero... like many of his generation, he WAS a hero..

 

[sbk1234]

William Windom was probably the first Star Trek actor I'd ever met, back when I was a teenager. He was a soft-spoken, genuine person. Kind and humble.
He will be missed.

 

[stoneroses]

Very sad news. Loved him in Twilight Zone and was a show stealer in The Doomsday Machine

 

[The Cutest of Borg]

Sad news, indeed. RIP William Windom.

 

[Gary7]

How many times did he make appearances at Star Trek conventions?

 

[EliyahuQeoni]

RIP William Windom. He played my favorite Trek guest star on my favorite episode.