The universe became a bit
dimmer with the loss of beloved Star Trek co-star DeForest Kelley. Mr. Kelley
passed away at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.
Carolyn, his wife of 55 years, was by his side when he died. He was 79.
When his Star Trek co-stars were reached for comment, Leonard
Nimoy said, "His job was to bring humanity to Star Trek and the role fit him
perfectly. He was a decent, loving, caring partner and will be deeply missed."
William Shatner added, "DeForest Kelley was a Southern gentleman all of his life -- a
kind, good, wonderful friend."
Kelley was born in Atlanta, Georgia. The son of a Baptist Minister,
Kelley sang in the church choir and aspired to become a doctor. His family could not
afford to send his to medical school, so he began singing on local radio shows. As a
young man, Kelley left Atlanta to go west and pursue an acting career. After serving in
the Army's air Forces during World War II, he was given the opportunity to appear in a
Navy training film. A talent scout from Paramount discovered him in it, and the studio
signed him to a three year contract.
Kelley made his big screen debut in the 1947 film noir, Fear in the
Night. His lanky build, serious demeanor and slight Southern drawl made him a natural
for the Western genre. During the next two decades, his career flourished in Western films
and television shows.
Kelley's memorable Western films are Tension at Table Rock
(1956) with Richard Egan, Dorothy Malone, and Angie Dickinson; Gunfight at the OK
Corral (1958) alongside Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas; The Law and Jack Wade
(1959) starring Robert Taylor; Warlock (1959) in which he backs up Richard
Widmark when up against Henry Fonda and Anthony Quinn; and Apache Uprising (1966)
with Rory Calhoun, Lon Chaney, Jr., and Johnny Mack Brown.
Kelley was seen prominently in television Westerns -- Bat
Masterson, Black Saddle, Death Valley Days, The Deputy, Have Gun... Will Travel, The Lone
Ranger, Rawhide, Trackdown, Wanted: Dead or Alive, and Zane Grey Theater,
just to name a few.
He also guest-starred on three episodes of Bonanza, one of
them being a two-parter. In "The Honor of Cochise," one of the greatest episodes
of Bonanza's long run, Kelley was never more rugged, nor his acting ability and
versatility so apparent. In the most vicious role of his career, Kelley portrayed Captain
Johnson of the U.S. Cavalry -- a bloodthirsty annihilator of the red race. When pinned
down in the wilderness by the Apaches, Kelley's attitude is so forceful and his character
is so vile that Ben Cartwright is tempted to declare mutiny on him. With face turning red
and voice rasping, Kelley fires back, "I'm not asking for your charity! I'm a
military officer performing my assigned duties. It is your duty to assist me in any way
that you might find possible!" In yet another episode, Kelley saves Hoss' life on the
operating table. As a frontier doctor, his role is reminiscent of what he would portray
for years on Star Trek. Whether playing a depraved villain or a dependable
compadre, Kelley was equally convincing.
In the 1960s, Kelley worked with police officer-turned TV producer Gene
Roddenberry on a detective show pilot. Roddenberry was so impressed with Kelley's
performance that he offered him a choice of roles in his next project -- a futuristic
adventure series called Star Trek. Kelley was offered the role of the alien,
Spock or the doctor, McCoy. Ironically, Kelley was not a fan of science-fiction; he
preferred Westerns. Therefore, Roddenberry presented the idea as Wagon Train in
outer space. Kelley took a chance and accepted the role as the crotchety but lovable
country doctor, Leonard "Bones" McCoy. He told Roddenberry, "Gene, this
will be the biggest hit or the biggest miss ever." Neither man could have imagined
what was to follow. The Star Trek phenomenon has secured the legend of DeForest
Kelley for future generations.
During one of his final interviews, DeForest Kelley was asked what he
thought his legacy would be. He said that many people throughout the years would tell him
that he inspired them to enter the medical profession. Kelley exclaimed, "These
people are doctors now, all kinds of doctors who save lives. That's something that very
few people can say they've done. I'm proud to say that I have." |
