Remembering DeForest Kelley June 11, 2008
by TrekMovie.com Staff , Filed under: TOS, Trek Franchise , trackback
It was June 11, 1999, that DeForest Kelley passed away. As the first loss of the main Original Series cast, Kelley’s death showed us that Star Trek (and its fans) was aging. Yet, DeForest Kelley’s legacy continues to inspire fans, actors and medical professionals to this day. Today, we celebrate his contributions to acting, animal rights, volunteerism, and being a role model for many with a series of personal memories.
DeForest Kelley Memories
Trekmovie.com asked some of those who knew and worked with DeForest Kelley to share their remembrances of the person and the actor. Their words exemplify why DeForest Kelley will never really leave us.
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I remember how generous and kind DeForest Kelley was to "the new kids on the block". I was thrilled to be able to share a scene with him in the pilot episode and he made me feel very comfortable on my first day on the Enterprise. In fact, that’s the way he was whenever we met. I did share one meal with him and his lovely wife one evening and he regaled us with stories about his days in summer stock. It was, needless to say, a treat. The only thing I can add to that is that he was always wonderful to be around and I wish I could’ve spent a lot more time enjoying his company.
- Brent Spiner
Actor, (Data – Star Trek: The Next Generation)
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It was Gene’s idea to use DeForest Kelley for the pilot [of Star Trek The Next Generation]. And you know what? DeForest wouldn’t take anything above scale for his remuneration. He worked for SAG minimum. That was his way of giving back, he was very generous and he said he felt he owed it to Star Trek. That was kind of man he was.
- Robert Justman
Producer on Star Trek & Star Trek The Next Generation
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After all these years, some of the best memories I have of creating and running the Official Star Trek Fan Club, and its official magazine, the Star Trek Communicator, involve DeForest Kelley. He was one of my favorites and a true gentleman – always there when you needed him, always with a smile on his face and kind word.
The first time I met DeForest Kelley was at a convention here in Denver. I had been corresponding with him for some time and was trying to arrange an interview with him for the fan club magazine. De suggested we meet at his hotel at the convention and just do the interview in-person. The first moment I entered his room, I was treated with the utmost of respect. His wife, Carolyn, who also became a good friend, greeted me with hugs. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast while talking very casually about his career with Star Trek.
After that, De and I remained in contact with each other through all the years up to his passing. I always received notes from he and his wife thanking me for sending the magazines. They received every issue and read it from cover to cover. I think I interviewed De probably12 times over the years.
One of the special memories I have is flying out for his Star Ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To be there and share in that special moment with both he and Carolyn was wonderful. After the ceremony, we went to a special party where De gave me a small pin replica of his star – a treasured keepsake.
De and Carolyn always loved their roses at their home. I remember De telling me that one of the things he enjoyed most was taking care of the roses and enjoying them with others. They had a beautiful yard full of them. It was one of the ways he truly relaxed.
One of my fondest memories of De was on the set of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. I visited the set on the day they were filming in the large water tank on the back lot as the entire crew had just crash landed in the Klingon Bird of Prey. It was fun watching the wind machines blow and the cast do several takes as the whale swims by. After the scene was finished. De came up and asked if I would like to go to lunch. We went to the Paramount commissary and De was telling me that he thought they were creating a classic with the film. He was so happy to have Leonard back as director and said he was having a great time making the film. He was glad to see the humor return.
During one of our many interviews, I asked De how he would like to be remembered after he was gone. He thought and thought about it and said he just didn’t have an answer to that – he wasn’t sure what people would say about him after he was gone. When the issue came out, I sent him several copies. He sent me a wonderful note back, which I still have and treasure, thanking me for the copies and saying, “As for the question of what I would like people to say about me after I am gone, I guess…..’he’s dead Jim!’” De always had a wonderful sense of humor and never took himself too seriously. He was always proud of his association with Star Trek, loved and appreciated the fans, and made every attempt to say hello to them and write them back when they took the time to let him know how much they appreciated him.
De’s life was one to be emulated. He had a long successful career (I remember him telling me about stories as a young actor at Paramount working with Gloria Swanson and eating lunch with the likes of Clark Gable and Bing Crosby among many others.) He was married for over 50 years to the love of his life, Carolyn – a class act herself. They had one of the truly great love stories of Hollywood. I remember someone telling me that one of the last things De did before he passed away was leave a note to Carolyn that said, “True love stories never end.” This was truly the case with De and Carolyn.
I’ll never forget the day De passed away. I was driving in my car and it came over the radio that the news had just come in that DeForest Kelley had passed away. I had to pull over and wipe the tears from my eyes. Not only had I lost a dear friend but the Star Trek world had lost one of its true heroes – a man beloved by the fans whose memory would live forever. The best tribute I could do for De was to create a special issue devoted to him of the Star Trek Communicator. I asked Bill Shatner and Leonard Nimoy if they would do special interviews with me on their memories of De. They agreed in a heartbeat and the result was an issue that I am proud of. It was a fitting tribute to one of the great actors of Star Trek. It was filled with memories of De from his friends and colleagues, past interviews with him, and many special images from his life. When I look at that issue today it reminds me of how much I miss being able to talk with him and miss his unique and warm personality. Those surely were the best of times.
Thank God for Star Trek – a show which has, for over 40 years now, been a beacon of light in so many peoples lives. It has provided hope, a positive vision of the future, and just good entertainment for generations of fans. It goes without saying that DeForest Kelley was an integral part of that successful vision, both on-screen and off. He was an inspiration in his own life as well as the irascible Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy. De would’ve have been glad to see that Star Trek was continuing through JJ Abrams new film and he would’ve embraced Karl Urban’s portrayal. He was happy to support Gene Roddenberry’s new vision with The Next Generation by making a cameo as an aged McCoy and I believe it would’ve made him happy to know that Star Trek, and its positive vision, was continuing. De was not selfish and believed in doing what was best for Star Trek. May his memory live long and prosper – De was an actor and human being truly worthy of the emulation and legendary status he has received for the past 40 years and for many, many years to come!
- Dan Madsen
Actor and Former Publisher and President of the Official Star Trek Fan Club
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There was only one member of the Star Trek cast old or new who could give me the “fanboy” willies, and that was De. Once I was old enough to truly soak up the original Star Trek, McCoy the Southern realist came to become my favorite character-and De was the one I always thought it would be easiest to sit down to dinner with.
So it was that I’ll always remember the last time I really saw him, years into the era when professional Star Trek World had caught us up. It was the official 30th anniversary celebration in Huntsville, Alabama-which as it turned out was also to be the last time the original cast would all be onstage together. Nagging me at the time was the fact that De was the only member of the original gang who had not announced plans for his own biography-even resisted it-and the clock was ticking, to put it nicely.
So, when we got to share some time that weekend, I quite passionately (and only slightly selfishly) made one more pitch to let me co-write his story in some fashion; or, failing that, to let anyone join him in the project. “Oh, but then I’d just have to go out and go through all that stuff in the garage,” he drawled, winking at me and grinning-as polite but firm a “no” as ever.
Of course, later on author Terry Rioux won family approval to go through all that “stuff in the garage” and put together a wonderful life story for De, and I was happy to join dozens who helped out in the effort. But the Huntsville story points out how great an actor the unassuming De really was-for he and Caroline both balanced his wonderful public openness and warmth with a zealous bottom-line priority for their real personal privacy. It suited him well, for the unexpected career turn of 1966 that forever left him an icon was based on that very same unassuming appeal-the grounded, down-to-earth guy that De really was. If the latter ever gave way, you see, the former could never really be as beloved by his audience.
It’s been nine years since we lost DeForest Kelley, but that’s what still strikes me about him: how well he kept those extremes in his personal and public persona, and kept them in balance so well. (Might also be how both De and McCoy might have been the only one in the universe able to cut his illustrious colleagues down to size when they needed it!)
Oh, and our 1999 memorial issue of Communicator for De? It was, for me, both the hardest and the most glorious issue we ever did. It was just one year into my tenure there way back when, but it remains my favorite issue ever.
- Larry Nemecek
Star Trek author, editor and archivist.
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DeForest Kelley was married just once, from September 7, 1945 until he passed away in 1999. He was 25 when he married Carolyn M. Kelley. He often said of his beloved Carolyn, “I make the living, but she makes the living worthwhile.” The first part of this declaration of love wasn’t always the case: Carolyn supported De for a number of years as he struggled to establish a viable acting career. She worked at Warner Bros. in New York while he pounded the pavement looking for stage work in the early 50’s. She also served as his secretary his entire career, except toward the end of his life when arthritis and a broken leg, suffered at age 82, made it impossible for her to serve in that capacity any longer.
Upon landing his first role in a Western, De was quickly taught how to ride a horse by aviatrix and barnstormer Aileen Pickering, an accomplished rider. (While considering signing De for the role, the producer asked him if he could ride a horse. De responded in the affirmative – far from his finest hour where truth-telling is concerned, but then he immediately set out cancel out the lie, making sure he could ride before reporting to the set! Aileen said he was a natural, a very fast learner. This is evident when watching him in Westerns. A viewer would think he was born on a horse.
De and Carolyn didn’t have any children, although they loved them – and children loved them. Instead, they had a series of pets, including two small dogs (Cheers, a schnoodle, and Fancy, a Lhasa Apso) , a parakeet (Cherie), a cat (Maggie), and a desert tortoise (Myrtle the Turtle, an octogenarian). In later life, De frequently joked about Myrtle, “We always like to have someone around older than we are!”
De appeared in twenty motion pictures, and in hundreds of TV episodes in the 50’s and 60’s, including Rawhide, Bat Masterson, The Lone Ranger, Perry Mason, The Bold Ones, and Bonanza. Many of his portrayals can still be seen on video, and every fan of his should see them, to realize what a fine actor he was.
He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, delivered at home by his uncle, who was also a doctor for the Governor of Georgia at that time. His uncle thought De would make a fine doctor; De’s dad, a Baptist minister, thought De would make a fine preacher. De thought he would make a fine cowboy, since his family didn’t have enough money to send him to college to pursue a career as a physician. De often joked at conventions, “But I did become both a doctor and a cowboy – in motion pictures!” And as we all know, De did, indeed, have a ministry (something his father would have loved had he lived to see it) it was all of us!
- Kristine M. Smith
Author (DeForest Kelley: A Harvest of Memories)
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From the Staff of TrekMovie.com
We miss you, DeForest.
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Comments»
One of my favourite characters from the original series. It was certainly a sad day when we lost De.
..the best Trek doctor.
Seems ridiculous to miss someone you never had the privilege to meet, but I do. I was so sad when he passed. Had me a little crush on good ol’ Bones, too.
I always thought the character, McCoy, fit the actor, Kelly, well. They were both simple, honest, humble and real.
It’s a real shame the Kelly’s could not have children – they would have had a great father (and I assume Mrs Kelly equalled her husband in this respect).
God bless you De. You are an inspiration to us all.
I always thought he was the best actor of the original series and had the most depth to his character. Of all the actors he is the one I wish the most was still alive, and I could meet.
beware of romulans bearing gifts
“Life and death are seldom logical.”
Doesn’t seem like 9 years ago.
“I’m a doctor, not an escalator.”—TOS, “Friday’s Child
DeForest Kelley is an outstanding guy,
“As for the question of what I would like people to say about me after I am gone, I guess…..’he’s dead Jim!’”
Its the humor like this, that made Trek great,, he was a hell of a loss,however its nice to know that his name will live forever in entertainment history.
I was a kid when STTMP was coming out. DeForest Kelley and George Takei appeared at the Toys R Us in the DC area to promote the film and sell a few toys. When I met Mr. Kelley I asked him to “Say it.” Without missing a beat, he raised an eyebrow, looked me square in the eye and said, “He’s dead, Jim.” What a cool guy, I’ll never forget it. When I told him my real name was Kirk though, he bust out laughing.
I found out the day Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired its series finale in our market and also the day before I’d graduate high school. It wasn’t unexpected because it had been on the Trek sites for several months, but it was strange timing for me.
My introduction to Trek was TNG and the movies and in the movies McCoy was always the one with the best lines, the one that best make someone laugh.
Every story I hear about him is positive. Everyone seemed to have nothing but good things to say.
I can’t believe it’s been nine years!
I wish I could have gotten to meet DeForest Kelley. He seems to have been such a wonderful person… If I could meet Kelley-san, I would just like to give him one big hug. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do…
Rest in peace, Doctor…
“Has it been nine years already?”
Probably the best actor from TOS. Would love to have seen him do some comedy, his scenes with Spock arguing were always my favorite!
Outstanding actor and gentleman.
.
“I choose the danger…helluva time to ask.”
“You green-blooded, inhuman…”
“That green-blooded, son-of-a-bit__. It’s his revenge for all those arguments he lost.”
“The child is mine…the child is mine…”
” Well, don’t look at me, it’s the tribbles who are breeding!”
“Did she change her hairstyle?”
“What is it with you?”
“What do you suggest we do, spank it?”
He’ll always be the core of Star Trek to me, the part that drew me in, the part that inspired me personally, the part that kept me watching.
He was one of the good guys. It was surprising to read that he never had any kids. He would have been such an incredible father.
We’ll never forget you!
“Well, whatdaya know? I finally get the last word.”
“You’re in bed, holding a knife at your doctor’s throat!”
“Suppose they went nowhere?”
“…I’ve got all his marbles.”
“You really have been where no man has gone before!”
None better than De-I absolutely loved his take on the character and his acting style. HE IS missed and will (quite probably) be the toughest one to “recreate” in the new movie (no offense intended to the fine actor portraying Bones).
Whatever you do: “Don’t bury yourself in the part!”
HE’S STILL DEAD, JIM.
(I kid! Someone had to say it!)
He’s really not dead…as long as we remember him!
De really brought heart and passion to Star Trek. I like the fact that his character didn’t like technlogy. His character brought great balance between Spock and Kirk.
I love the scene in the Wrath of Khan where Bones and Kirk are talking about Kirk getting old and McCoy gives Kirk the old reading glasses.
I have seen some of the old westerns he was in and they were also very entertaining.
Never got to meet him. Wished that I would have.
He portrayed a legendary doctor, lived a legendary life, he is a legend.
Everyone misses you DeForest Kelly and a salute you for giving us such a great character.
Mr. Kelley was the soul of TOS and Trek in general. Rest in Peace, you will never be forgotten.
#21— “Don’t bury yourself in the part!”
—-classic!
“A teddy bear?”
“From what I can tell, tribbles are born pregnant…which appears to be quite a time saver!”
“Ooochie, wooochie, cooochie-coo…”
“I only use it for medicinal purposes.”
IT’S WORSE THAN THAT, WE MISS HIM STILL!
Truly a Class Act. Seems like he and his wife had something special, indeed.
Great tribute. Well done.
If you want to punish him for what he’s done, why don’t you throw him in the brig??
You really piss me off, Jim.
I’m a doctor, not a bricklayer!
I’m a doctor, not a mechanic!
If I jumped every time a light went off around here, I’d end up talking to myself…
You didn’t care what happened so long as you could hang your trophy on the wall – well it’s not on it, Captain, it’s IN it!
Jim, I’ve got it – all we have to do is quit feeding them – they quit feeding, they stop breeding!
Get back your command – get it back before you turn into part of this collection – before you really do grow old…
Your revered Admiral Nogura invoked a “little-known, seldom used” activation clause! In simpler language, Captain, they DRAFTED me!
Well, this is a new ship, but she’s got the right name – you remember that, you hear? You treat her like a lady, and she’ll always bring you home…
I could go on for days – De Forest kelley was really the heart of TOS in so many ways – just reading this article, I feel as sad as I did that day when I first saw in the newspaper he had passed… RIP Bones.
I continually hear/read about how down to earth he was.
there aren’t enough famous people like him around.
“I’d give real money if he’d shut up!”
“Damnit, do you want an acute case on your hands? This woman has immediate, post-prondycal, upper abdominal dystinction!” (cramps)
“My God, man. Drilling holes in his head is not the answer. The artery must be repaired.”
“Now, you swallow this, and if you have any problems—just call me.” (”Doctor gave me a pill and I grew a new kidney!”)
What a class act Mr. Kelley was. I’m getting all teary reading these tributes. For me, McCoy was the human heart and soul of the original series and movies.
He really is still missed. He probably would have loved this new Trek. To be able to walk around on the set of the new bridge would have been a treat.
TOS was a patchwork quilt of talent.
De was the thread that sewed it all together.
The best actor and possibly the best character in all the Star Treks. he embodied all that was decent in human beings. Karl Urban has a tougher job on his hands than all the other actors in the new Star Trek film!
Rest in Peace, Mr Kelley!
My favorite McCoy quote:
“Are you out of your Vulcan mind?”
With De’s drawl, it was amazing that got past the censors.
I wish I had met him in person. He truly epitomized the soul of Trek. I need to seek out the book that Kristine Smith penned. I remember reading somewhere that a sequel was in develpment?
I cant get over that it has been 9 years since Mr. Kelly passed on, I remember my Sister in Law telling me when I got home from school, we were both in bits and had a trek maraton of Star Trek II,III & IV.
Just want to say thanks to Deforest Kelly for all the entertainment he gave us.
My best to his family, he is missed.
A gentleman, a humanizing influence both on and off the set of Trek, and a great Georgian.
The world is a darker place without you, De.
Wow, its kinda surprise i made it just on that day to this site.
Yeah hes been awesome, a great loss to all of us i guess.
At least to all, who like me love TOS and the 1st 6 movies
the triangle kirk, spock and bones were the butter on the bread of star trek especially the arguments bewteen bones and spock
I’ll never forget, and i know millions of other wont either.
There arent much shows and movies i honor that much like star trek with the original crew..i probably wouldnt if he wouldnt have been in
GOne, but never to be forgotten
rest in peace bones, and thank you for all the great moments you gave us
What a coup to get De Kelley to be the foil between Shatner’s Kirk and Nimoy’s Spock.
It was perfect to see Kelley mash it up with Shatner and Nimoy, and he brought that spirit of love and caring from his real life into the part. He was the doctor we all wanted, and that aspiring doctors wanted to be.
He is sorely missed, for sure, but we’ll never forget him. Wherever he is now, I hope he “finally gets the last word.”
Britain misses you De. A huge part in the success of TOS and a gent.
well done Trekmovie.com for remembering him.
greg
UK
I remember watching “Night of the Lepus” (giant bunny rabbits terrorize a Southwest town!) SOLELY because De Kelley was in it. But he’ll always just be Bones to me.
The fact that no one has ever written or said an unkind thing about De Kelly alive or dead says more about him than any tribute I could muster. William Shatner has admitted regretting not taking enough time getting to know him better. From what I understand, De had his professional life which he preformed to absolute aplomb and his personal life and very few (James Doohan for example) made it into both of his lives. His shoes will be hardest to fill in the new movie IMHO. RIP.
I remember in Trek IV when Kirk, McCoy, Gillian and Spock were talking about going to help Chekov and when Spock said “No, but it is the human thing to do” , i would have love to have seen Gillian look over at Bones confused and he would reply “Taught him everything he knows” It would have been true, hilarious and totally McCoy.
it’s guys like De and the stories i hear about him that make me want to be a better person in my daily life.
and yes, as it was said already….it’s odd but somehow cool to miss someone that you never even knew.
Rest in Peace Mr Kelley – your body of work still continues to keep a great many people entertained. Thank you.
God Bless,
- John
Awesome guy.
http://www.livevideo.com/video/spockboy/A142E5D0B9E84BC98DCCD91997560CA3/gag-reel-shore-leave.aspx
Amazing guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-nlbchOkmg
We miss you, De!
God Bless you as you look down on us all from the REAL “Final Frontier”.
Redjac
PS: I second what Spockanella said about “Lepus”…but that film is a riot. Should have gotten the MST3K treatment…
I sincerely believe Trek would not have endured the way it has without De Kelly.
He was the voice of the audience, the true humanity of the show, and none of the other shows ever captured that type of character, and never had the same heart.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard Mr. Kelley had passed. Truly a sad day for this ravvenous fan. “Bones” was always a delight onscreen and one of my favorite characters of any Trek incarnation. Thank you for printing these beautiful memories of a truly wonderful, selfless, and grounded man. A hero both on and off the screen.
DeForest – ye are truly missed.
I loved his character (and, by extension, him). He was always my favorite. I had really wanted to meet him at a convention, but he never came to the Twin Cities (that I’m aware of). He was a good man. And his warm and witty performances will live on.
For my 31st birthday, my wife arranged a surprise party, where a group of our (mostly non-Trek-fan) friends met us at a theater for the premiere of Star Trek – Generations. Along with this, she had sent blank birthday cards (and stamped-self-addressed envelopes) to all the Original Series and TNG regular cast members and asked them to sign and return them to me; she explained in a letter how I was a huge Trek fan.
While most of the Next Gen actors eventually sent me either the card or a photo, De Kelley was the only original cast member to sign and return the card. Nothing against the other OS actors, but every time anyone mentions DeForest Kelley the man, I can’t help but think of him taking the time to sign that birthday card and return it to me.
Thank you, De.
Scott B. out.
I wish I could have met him or at least seen him in person, but unfortunately youth does have its disadvantages.
Yeah, same here I wish I had the honor of meeting him at a convention.
De was as good a person as he was an actor and he was one of the best actors ever.
We miss you, De.
#55—That’s a great story.
“And in all of that, and perhaps more, only one of each of us.” The last bit of one of my favorite McCoy lines. Easily my favorite actor from any Star Trek series, and one of the very few I would have actually liked to meet. He was truly a one of a kind in life and on the screen. We miss you Mr. Kelley.
Just curious, when was the quote from Robert Justman collected? It’s nice to read the memories.
Dr. McCoy, my all-time favorite Trek character. I wish I would have had the chance to meet Mr. Kelley before he passed, by all accounts a wonderful human being. What a respond to in Dr. McCoy, his humanity and concern, seem to have come from qualities the actor himself possessed.
Anyone know about his wife Carolyn? Is she still with us?
the Justman quote is something from an interview I did with him that I hadn’t used previously.
Carolyn passed away in October, 2004.
He’s not really dead, you know…as long as we remember him…
Thanks for the memories. Glad Mr. & Mrs. Kelley found each other.
De Kelley was pure class – a true gentleman and a severely underrated talent. He was such a genuine, naturalistic actor that his work seemed effortless and was always completely believable. How lucky for Star Trek that it was graced by such a good and gifted man.
Of all the people associated with Star Trek over 40+ years, Kelley and Justman were the two I held in the highest personal regard. To the detriment of us all, they don’t make them like that anymore. God rest them both.
rest in peace
My favorite moment is still the scene in Klingon Bird-of-Prey sickbay when Bones tells Spock that he missed him. No self-respecting Star Trek fan can watch that with a dry eye.
often imitated, never replaced.
RIP, de.
wonderful recollections of a man whose name seems sinonimous with the word “gentleman”. Thank you for this article.
Deforest, you always have been and always shall be my hero!!! I miss ya!!!
Dr. McCoy is my favourite star trek character. The doctor truly represented humanity best on board the Enterprise. He was the heart of the crew, not cold like Spock or an egomaniac like Kirk. I hope JJ’s McCoy pays respect to the original character as portrayed by DeForest Kelly.
I miss you,Doctor Mccoy the best doctor ¡¡¡
would love to hear or read some of Chris Doohan’s memories of Deforest.
You reading this?
Wow, time flies. Its almost been a decade. As a kid, Spock was my favourite character. As I grew older I came to appreciate and enjoy McCoy. De was definitely one of the good ones.
Hope you are having happy trails up there!
….the adventure continues….
DeForest was a gem of a actor and a man, we lost some one very special when he passed. He will always be remembered in the hearts of the fans.
and yes i am one of those hard core fans with a cat named Doc. McCoy and plan on nameing my son DeForest..
Great actor and Dr McCoy was an unforgettable character.
A very kind and good person. That is very rare and much appreciated. There is nothing more important than that in this world. Nothing.
Im going to clap my hands and jump for joy i got a clean bill of health from dr. mccoy. My true faverote is from star trek 5. to kirk about spock. I liked him better before he died. a very funny line and well he had so many of the best lines in star trek.De was a true class act in every sense of the word. I wish i could have had the honor of meeting him. may you rest in peace and may your memory live long and prosper.
When I think of the human heart and soul of Star Trek, I think of DeForest Kelley.
On a lighter note: Doesn’t his signature look like something from a Disney artist?
I think this one person that there are no real bad stories about! A true great! McCoy was always my favourite Trek character of all. His legend will live forever.
I will never ever forgive Paramount for retireing this TOS cast long before thier time! Never
I never had the pleasure of meeting Deforest Kelley, but I’ve always felt sure I would have liked him.
The good news is, I can’t see how in the world he could ever be forgotten. Even as Star Trek enters a new phase, any mention of “Bones” McCoy will always flash back a memory of this man’s face before that of any other actor to succeed his most famous role.
What a great actor and I’m sure, a southern gentleman.
Dick Cavett once reminisced about comedian Jack Benny by saying that absolutely no one, in a traditionally back-stabbing Hollywood, would ever say an ill word about Benny, because Benny was the kind of gentleman whom everyone got along with.
I’m getting, from everything I’ve heard about him (I never had the honor of meeting him personally) the impression that DeForest Kelley was very much the same. The type of man you’d have to make a full on career of trying not to like. He was one of the last of a breed too — the decent celebrity whom the gossip mags would have gone broke trying to cover, the actor who perfected his craft but also made, to paraphrase Dickens, “mankind his business.”
Even 10 years on, there are legions of us out there who miss him.
Godspeed, Dr. McCoy, wherever you are.
i remember this he passed away on my 13th birthday..
i’ll never forget
Lovely guy.
thanks deforest. thanks
I have to say I really like these comments. After all the angry rantings on the remastered eps,, etc., – it’s nice to see all this energy going to the good stuff- to the actions and legacy of a good man.
Great actor. Great TV doctor. And by all accounts a great man. The world lost someone special when DeForest Kelley died. Rest in peace DeForest.
I meet Mr. Kelley during a Louisville convention in 1976. I never met such a warm-hearted soul. He kept tugging at my uniform (costume) and asked me If I had consulted with Bill Theiss lately. I didn’t know who Theiss was at the time so De provided an explanation.
After our ten minute conversation was over my mother asked me what De and I were talking about. I looked at my mother and told her “Mr. Kelley said you are an artist.” My mother blushed.
My mother made the uniform.
Sorry, that should be “I met Mr. Kelley…..”
Love those typos!
Wonderful actor, wonderful man. He’s badly missed…
(Check out my URL for lots of material about him!)
A wonderful man, and the best Doctor that has ever crossed the universe.
I’ve always felt that Bones was the perfect enhancement for Kirk-Spock, complementing the friendship in a unique way.
I got to meet him in the late 80s. He was speaking at the University of Texas in Arlington. It was a wonderful hour of his regaling us with stories and answering our questions. The organizers had sold special tickets that were supposed to get us an autograph session at the end but no one had informed De. It apparently was a mix up between his agent and them. De had recently stopped giving personal autographs because of his arthritis and the fact he couldn’t get everyone like he used to. De himself came out to explain it to us in a gracious gesture and gentile manner. That’s class.
It’s often said McCoy was the heart of Star Trek’s triumverate.
It has also been said a character often is the actor. If that is true, De Kelley had the biggest heart of all.
I have to say his comment about his wife Carolyn “making living worthwhile” was perhaps the most moving thing I have ever read.
Any moment De Kelley was on screen you knew something wonderful was going to happen.
How many actors have that effect on us?
His memory will live on in Star Trek!
R.I.P DeForest Kelley.
Quote from Dr.Bones Mccoy :
He’s Dead Jim
I wanted to pay my respects to a great actor,. DeForest brought great humanity and humourto role of McCoy. McCoy was always one of my favs and his interplay with Nimoy as Spock was always a highlight on Star Trek.
Kelly made McCoy his own and Karl Urban has massive shoes to fill. He will always be alive as long we remember him.
My thoughts go to friends and family.
I remember when I learned De Kelley had died, I wrote a letter to the now defunct Star Trek Communicator, and what do you know, they published it. Karl Urban’s got some mighty big shoes to fill….
#86
They had a few movies left in them!!
A true blue original. I love the surprise when De pops up on the occassional western. I got a big kick out of watching him play the “baddie” in Warlock just the other night. And usually he is so far removed from the “McCoy” character, that it’s always a joy to watch.
A great actor and a class act all the way. And big thanks to the Trekmovie staff for this tribute, well done.
I remember the evening I read that he had passed, boy that was hard to take in.
what a great person.
Over a hundred posts and nothing negative. That’s got to be a testament to DeForest Kelley in itself.
I never got the chance to see DeForest in person. One of the drawbacks of living in the UK I suppose…
But the good Doctor was one of, if not the most, favourite character of mine. He was more like a 20th Century man stuck in the 23rd and I think that struck a chord with a lot of people. He was also the perfect foil between Spocks logic and Kirks passion. I think the show would never have been as interesting or successful without him.
It’s rare that you hear people universally talk of someone with such goodwill and affection. I feel it is a shame that they never had children, we could do with more people like them in this world. Its sad that his wife has also passed away. But it is a nice thought that they are back together, somehow, somewhere.
R.I.P
Mr and Mrs Kelley
A true class act all the way! People like him are very rare in this world.
After everything I’ve heard of this man, I have a tremendous respect for him. He seemed to be a truly good-hearted soul. He’s definitely one of my favourite Star Trek people. I love what he did with the McCoy charachter.
Thank you so much, Mr Kelley.
@108:
You are so right. People like him are worth their weight in gold.
Of the Original Series Characters, McCoy was the best, then Kirk and then Spock.
Thank you DeForest Kelly.
I regret that I never got to see Mr. Kelly at the few NYC Star Trek Conventions I got to attend between Trek TV and the movies. I always heard tremendous words about his character from other fellow Trekkers who had been fortunate enough to meet him then and since then.
The day I heard of his passing my first thought was, “There will be no more TOS episodes or movies–my Star Trek is really gone for good now.”
While I am glad Trek continues in its various incarnations and in the new movie to come–there will never be another Shatner, Nimoy and Kelly with the kind of chemistry we fleetingly got to enjoy. I often think of them as Star Trek’s own “Rat Pack” as it is reminescent of Sinatra, Martin and Davis.
As others have observed, I concur that Kelly was the one who added just the right amount of humanity to the trio and without De, Bill and Leonard will never capture that magic even if they did do another Star Trek together.
R.I.P., De…and thanks for the memories!
I would have loved to have met him.
May God Bless your soul De.
“You treat her like a lady, and she’ll always bring you home.”
I don’t know what it is about DeForest Kelly, but just looking at his photos makes you want to know this man… alas…
There will not be many like him again… if ever.
It was a very sad day indeed when DeForest Kelley passed away. It is wonderful to read that he touched the hearts of so many!
It was a great gesture to have him in the Pilot episode of TNG. It is definitely my favourite scene from Encounter At Farpoint. And from what I have read that scene was only added when the studio decided to extend the running time for the Pilot.
I recently introduced TNG to a friend of mine who started out watching DS9. The first episode of TNG isn’t that great, with of course, one exception… of course, Mr. Kelley’s scene.
I hadn’t seen the episode in years, certainly before Mr. Kelley died. I was struck by how much more the scene affected me this time around. It’s a great scene… because they don’t even call him Dr. or Admiral McCoy… for all those years, it was McCoy, but this time watching, it was De Kelley speaking. I felt loss, but I was thankful for his message to all of us.
I told my friend, who was new to Trek, that I was sorry he missed the Golden Age of Trek.
The only Trek character my girlfriend has said something positive about, and that’s saying something!
Bones is my absolute favorite Star Trek character out of all the various series. DeForest was a fantastic actor and – by all accounts – an even better human being.
My favorite McCoy moment was in This Side Of Paradise. The leader of the colony said to McCoy that he would need to find him work. McCoy’s response was that he was a Doctor.
“We have no use for Doctor’s here”
Oh yeah, how fast would you like to see me put you a hospital. Or something like that.
Great McCoy moment.
When he took the lance in “Shore Leave” and shows up later with showgirls, Go Doc.
Lastly worth mentioning is when he is injected in “City On The Edge Of Forever”, the look on his face with the sweat poring down, classic.
I’ve always thought Kelley was the best actor from all of Trek (with Patrick Stewart coming in 2nd). Kelley had a unique sincerity about him that was completely convincing on-screen.
Prompted by Spock’s insistant mind-meld with Bones at the end of ST 2 … and when McCoy tapped his noggin in the finale of ST 3 …
yes, De, we REMEMBER!
120. websbestcomics -:
I agree that De was the best actor. Indeed, Roddenberry wrote of him in “The Making of Star Trek” that he had no doubt that someday De would win an Oscar. Sadly he did not because he semi-retired, but he kept coming back for us.
Damn, nine years already? HIs passing was such a loss for Trek. I’ll always be grateful for the entertainment he provided. His acting was so effortless. He always seemed at ease even when playing an emotional scene.
Thanks to trekmovie.com for the tribute. It was a very nice read.
DeForest Kelley was the heart of the show. When I was a kid and we played Star Trek, third pick was always Dr. McCoy–everyone always wanted to be either Kirk or Spock ’cause THEY were cool. In later years, he became my favorite of the three because I realized that he best represented our humanity…that is, the best things about humanity–the desire to help and save lives unconditionally, even if it meant his own sacrifice or loss.
Rest in Peace, De…you were the best!
De was the heart and soul of Trek. I wish I could have met him, to thank him for all he gave to the world. God Blessed us with De Kelley. De, you were and are the Best!
The wonderful DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy still makes me teary every time he says …
“In this galaxy, there’s a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And, in all the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that – and perhaps more – only one of each of us. … Don’t destroy the one named ‘Kirk’.”
~~~
“You deliberately stopped me, Jim! I could have saved her! Do you know what you just did?!”
Most of the humane qualities we think of when we talk about Star Trek’s more advanced 23rd century humans were at the core of McCoy’s character. DeForest Kelley’s sensitive portrayal brought McCoy’s morality and compassion to life, and as I grew older made McCoy my favorite character. He couldn’t have given as great a performance if he weren’t that nice a man himself. Over the years and up to this terrific posting of remembrances, it’s been gratifying to read that that was indeed the case.
@112 — “… there will never be another Shatner, Nimoy and Kelley with the kind of chemistry we fleetingly got to enjoy. I often think of them as Star Trek’s own ‘Rat Pack’ as it is reminiscent of Sinatra, Martin and Davis.”
Awesome analogy!!!!
I love those guys, too!!!
I can see Kirk on karaoke night — “Come fly with me …”
Dean was the cool cat, a little like Spock.
And of the three, Sammy had the most emotion in his performances, like McCoy.
DeForest Kelly was truly a southern gentleman, a class act and a kind and compassionate human being. It’s too bad that he and his wife Carolyn never became parents — although he has passed his legacy down to us both as an actor, human being and in Dr. McCoy, who continued to remind those in the 23rd century about human decency, compassion and never to lose their humanity or their integrity. (Plus being the best damn doctor in the galaxy.) The world is a little emptier and colder without De Kelley. Hopefully he’s now happy with his roses and Carolyn somewhere where life is kind and gentle — like he was.
Such a fine gentleman. I loved him at cons. What a loss for the fan community. I loved the poems he wrote and performed for the fans.
A Class Act.
Just plain miss him…. And James…
@128–exactly how I compared them too! :)
Shatner and Nimoy were the heart(s) of the series, Kelley was the soul. McCoy’s character was the most realistic and human of all of the TOS series regulars. He always had the best lines — my favorite moment was (I believe in “The Enemy Within”) — Spocks tells McCoy that he needs his advice and McCoy replies “If you need my advice then I need a drink”.
Just a Great, Great character and tell me that he did not shine in “Shoreleave”!!!!
Class act, pure and simple.
DeForest Kelley was and always will be the real McCoy.
Farewell Pille !!!!
thank you, Mr. Kelley -
you are very missed
I only managed to see Deforest Kelly once at the l995 Covention in Pasadena, it was such a magic moment when he came onto the stage, my heart jumped, The chemistry between him and Bill Shatner and Leonard Nimoy was AMAZING, you could tell these guys really loved each other.
I love the above quotes! I can visualise each moment in time from every episode and film, Thanks.
From a Brirish fan.
It doesn’t seem like nine years.
All the time he lives on in books and films and television he continues to touch and influence our lives.
We will remember him in our hearts.
I thinking which character on Star Trek was my favorite and Dr. McCoy won out. He was the sensitive, connected and compassionate one. Ofcourse this is a part he played… but from what has been shared regarding his life… he played this part all his life off stage as well as on. His face beams with friendly kindness. De continues to be missed.
DeForest Kelley. He was a shining light of what the good of mankind can be. While he may be gone, he will NEVER EVER be forgotten.
To quote the man himself: “He’s not really dead when we still remember him”