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DeForest Kelley

DeForest Kelley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jackson DeForest Kelley (January 20, 1920 – June 11, 1999) was an American actor, screenwriter, poet and singer known for his iconic roles in Westerns and as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy of the USS Enterprise in the television and film series Star Trek.

Kelley was delivered by his uncle at his parents' home in Atlanta, the son of Clora (née Casey) and Ernest David Kelley, who was a Baptist minister of Irish and Southern ancestry. DeForest was named after the pioneering electronics engineer Lee De Forest, and later named his Star Trek character's father "David" after his own. Kelley had an older brother, Ernest Casey Kelley. As a child, he often played outside for hours at a time. Kelley was immersed in his father's mission in Conyers and promised his father failure would mean "wreck and ruin". Before the end of his first year at Conyers, Kelley was introduced into the congregation to his musical talents and often sang solo in morning church services. Eventually, this led to an appearance on the radio station WSB AM in Atlanta, Georgia. As a result of his radio work, he won an engagement with Lew Forbes and his orchestra at the Paramount Theater.

In 1934, the family left Conyers for the community of Decatur. He attended the Decatur Boys High School where he played on the Decatur Bantams baseball team. Kelley also played football and other sports. Before his graduation, Kelley got a job as a drugstore car hop. He spent his weekends working in the local theatres. Kelley graduated in 1938. During World War II, Kelley served as an enlisted man in the United States Army Air Forces between March 10, 1943, and January 28, 1946, assigned to the First Motion Picture Unit. After an extended stay in Long Beach, California, Kelley decided to pursue an acting career and relocate to southern California permanently, living for a time with his uncle Casey. He worked as an usher in a local theater in order to earn enough money for the move. Kelley's mother encouraged her son in his new career goal, but his father disliked the idea. While in California, Kelley was spotted by a Paramount Pictures scout while doing a United States Navy training film.

  • BIRTH 20/01/1920
  • DEATH 11/06/1999
  • Country United States
  • SHOWS 14
  • MOVIES 23

Shows (14)

Star Trek
Star Trek
Leonard McCoy
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Admiral Leonard McCoy
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Leonard McCoy (voice)
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Ollie Tate / Sheriff Steve Pax
Bonanza
Bonanza
Captain Moss Johnson / Dr. Michael Jons / Tully
Perry Mason
Perry Mason
Peter Thorpe
The Fugitive
The Fugitive
Charlie
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Will Bailey
The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger
Bob Kittredge
Rawhide
Rawhide
Slate Prell
Death Valley Days
Death Valley Days
Clint Rogers / Elliott Webster / Shad Cullen
The Virginian
The Virginian
Ben Tully / Lt. Beldon
M Squad
M Squad
Detective / Police Sgt. Miller
Tales of Wells Fargo
Tales of Wells Fargo
Captain Cole Scofield

Movies (23)

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Morgan Earp
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
Warlock
Warlock
Curley Burne
Town Tamer
Town Tamer
Guy Tavenner
Apache Uprising
Apache Uprising
Toby Jack Saunders
The Men
The Men
Dr. Sherman (uncredited)
Gunfight at Comanche Creek
Gunfight at Comanche Creek
Amos Troop
The Law and Jake Wade
The Law and Jake Wade
Wexler
Waco
Waco
Bill Rile
House of Bamboo
House of Bamboo
Charlie (uncredited)
Illegal
Illegal
Edward Clary (as DeForest Kelly)
Black Spurs
Black Spurs
Sheriff Dal Nemo
Trekkies
Trekkies
Self
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
Self
Night of the Lepus
Night of the Lepus
Elgin Clark
Raintree County
Raintree County
Southern Officer
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
Viking 1 (voice)
Malaya
Malaya
Lt. Glenson (uncredited)