DeForest Kelley
Acting
Biography
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.
Born: January 20, 1920
Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Known For
Filmography
as Self - (archive footage)
as (archive footage)
as Leonard McCoy (archive footage)
as Self
as Viking 1 (voice)
as Self
as Dr. Leonard McCoy (archive footage) (uncredited)
as Himself
as Dr. McCoy
as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
as Admiral Leonard McCoy
as McCoy
as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
as Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
as Self
as Leonard McCoy (voice)
as Elgin Clark
as Ben Tully
as Frank Slater
as Matt Silverton
as Mr. Fowler
as Dr. McCoy
as Dr. McCoy
as Bill Rile
as Tully
as Toby Jack Saunders
as Mr. Turner
as Dr. David Ingram
as Egan
as Guy Tavenner
as Sheriff Dal Nemo
as Sam Corwin
as Amos Troop
as Charlie
as Martin Volet
as Self
as Ben Tully
as Lt. Beldon
as Bob Tully
as Lt. Clarke
as Shep Harlow
as Bart Collins
as Jack
as Alex Jeffords
as Captain Moss Johnson
as Tully
as Dr. Michael Jons
as Styles
as Curley Burne
as Sam King
as Slate Prell
as Phil Wingate
as Brock Martin
as Sam White
as Bent Carr
as Mr. Williams
as Sheriff Steve Pax
as Ollie Tate
as Wexler
as Philip Conroy
as Southern Officer
as Lambert
as Perry Grimes
as Brock Childers
as Ed Crow
as Tom Dooley
as Marshal
as Jake Britin
as Peter Thorpe
as Police Sgt. Miller
as Detective
as Deakin
as Sheriff
as Kenneth Porter
as Morgan Earp
as Lt. Comm. Enright
as Captain Cole Scofield
as Les Porter
as Logan Wheeler
as Sherm Pickard
as Swain
as Jim Breck
as Medic (uncredited)
as Jim - Hotel Clerk
as Edward Clary
as Will Bailey
as Charlie (uncredited)
as Dr. Michael Wells
as Silas Morgan (uncredited)
as Ted Lance
as Bob Vogelin
as Bob Richards
as Ted Hopkins
as Nick Kohler
as Eddie Lee
as Ralph Sanders
as Fred (uncredited)
as Elliott Webster
as Shad Cullen
as Clint Rogers
as Martin
as Dr. Sherman (uncredited)
as Lt. Glenson (uncredited)
as Bob Kittredge
as Doctor Barnes
as Sheriff
as 'Ace' Martin
as Aram
as Bob Philo
as Smalley
as Bob Rogers
as Bob Kirby
as Vince Grayson