DeForest Kelley Biography ((?)-)



See index for CTFT sketch: Born January 20, 1920, in Atlanta, GA; diedJune 11, 1999, in Woodland Hills, CA. Actor. Kelley's best-known role was that of physician Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy on the television series Star Trek, which aired from 1966 to 1969. Increased viewership through reruns and a loyal following helped popularize Star Trek in the 1970s, anda series of motion pictures featuring the Star Trek cast followed in the 1980s and early 1990s. Prior to his Star Trek fame, Kelley worked in numerous television programs and films. After moving to California as a teenager, Kelly worked in theatre groups and on the radio while trying to breakinto films. His break came when a Paramount scout noticed his performance ina Navy training film. Kelley was signed to a three-year contract with Paramount and made his film debut in Fear in the Night(1947). After working on stage and in television in New York City in the late 1940s and early 1950s,Kelley returned to California to pursue film work. He appeared in the filmsIllegal(1955) and Gunfight at the OK Corral(1957), as well as in television programs such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide, and The Lone Ranger. It was not until Star Trek, however, that Kelley experienced widespread recognition. The first Star Trek film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, was released in 1979, and Kelley appeared in it and five sequels, including Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country(1991).

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