DeFOREST KELLEY

Jackson DeForest Kelley was born 20th January 1920 in Atlanta, Georgia The son of Clara Casey Kelley and Rev. Ernest D. Kelley. A Baptist minister. DeForest discovered that he enjoyed singing. Eventually this led to solos and later performing on radio station WSB in Atlanta.

As a result of his radio appearances, he won an engagement with Lew Forbes and his orchestra at the Paramount Theatre. It was DeForest's first taste of being an entertainer, and he liked it.

DeForest moved to Long Beach California. To enable him to move he saved money working as an usher in a local theatre . DeForest  found that he loved the sun, surf and excitement of Long Beach and told his parents he was going to stay and get a job.

One day  DeForest was sitting in a restaurant when Rohn Hawke, who was doing local theatre, came over and asked if he had any acting experience. He auditioned and won the part.

During the run of the play, a talent scout caught his performance and felt he had a future in acting. In the evenings, he continued to appear with the Long Beach Theatre Group to gain experience. He started writing and staging plays at a local radio station. this got him noticed.

He was tested for the baby faced killer in This Gun for Hire . Unfortunately, it went to Alan Ladd and DeForest went back to the Theatre Group. In 1942, DeForest appeared in "The Innocent Young Man" with the Long Beach Theatre Group. His co-star was a blonde, blue-eyed beauty (and wife to be one day) named Carolyn Dowling. The romance was interrupted by the war. He was in the Army Air Corps . They were married on September 7, 1945.

His first break was a Navy training film. A Paramount talent scout spotted DeForest in the Navy film and it led to a three year contract. His first film was in "Fear in the Night." It was a low-budge project, but it became a hit movie DeForest was established as a respected actor. Shortly after that he made "Variety Girl" and he was on his way.

A couple of years later the Kelleys decided to try their luck on the New York stage. While DeForest sought work, and Carolyn got a job in the main office of Warner Brothers. DeForest worked on stage and live television.

One television role led to another, his performance as Ike Clanton in the episode,"Last Gunfight at OK Corral" was his first role as a heavy and it brought him three movie offers.

For nine years DeForest primarily played heavies and found them interesting and challenging. He built up an impressive list of credits, alternating between television and motion pictures. Afraid of being type-cast. DeForest broke out of that mold by doing "Where Love Has Gone" and a television pilot called "333 Montgomery." A few years later, he was in another pilot, "Police Story. This led to "Star Trek" and the unforgettable role of Dr. Leonard McCoy.All these pilots were the creations of Gene Roddenberry

After Star Trek ended production, DeForest took a long vacation. He made a few movies and did some television work, and Star Trek conventions, but basically retired. He said that nowadays, "Acting had become my hobby and my home has become my heart." He also did some painting and wrote poetry . DeForest Kelley was married to Carolyn Dowling for 53 years . DeForest here with his wife Carolyn receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 18.12.91 located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard, in front of the Hollywood Galaxy

DeForest said that Star Trek was "Moments" many wonderful moments and I agree with this too! And generations to come will still be saying "He's dead Jim" DeForest joked that this would probably be on his tomb stone.

20th January 1920-11th June 1999

I have seen DeForest in some earlier productions , but I felt "Star Trek" as Dr McCoy was his best work, and I have to say that the humour that the original series has ,"Was DeForest" impeccable timing. "A man of good character is McCoy", and I have no doubt DeForest was as well. A gentleman in life. And in the art of acting .

GOODBYE MY DEAR FRIEND YOU WILL BE MISSED

The Famous "He's Dead Jim"(wav)

BELOW
Just a few more pictures of "De"

The Motion Picture

The Wrath Of Khan

The Search for Spock

The Voyage Home

The Final Frontier

The Undiscovered Country

THIS IS JUST SOME OF DeFOREST  KELLY's FILM WORK

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