Q: I’m a big fan of the original “Star Trek” that was on TV in the 1960s. I think I remember that actor DeForest Kelley, who played “Bones” McCoy on the show, was from Georgia. Is that true?
A: Kelley, as "Star Trek's" Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, was famous for saying, "I'm a doctor, not a (fill in the blank with various things or professions)" – or a variation of it – on the beloved show. In this case, he could say, "I'm a doctor, and a Georgian."
Kelley was born in either Toccoa or Atlanta – accounts vary – on Jan. 20, 1920, and grew up in Conyers, where his father was a Baptist pastor. He assisted in his dad’s ministry by singing solos in church services until he was 14, when the family moved to Decatur.
His voice had developed well enough for him to appear on the “big Atlanta radio station, WSB,” states “From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley, Star Trek’s Dr. McCoy.” “The press agreed with the Reverend that DeForest was a popular singer and an appealing talent. DeForest was featured in a WSB broadcast from the Sunset Club at the Biltmore Hotel. The boy’s solos were good enough to keep him coming back.”
Kelley talked about the movies and soon left Atlanta to visit an uncle who lived in Long Beach, Calif., where he became enamored with becoming an actor.
After a quick trip home, Kelley moved to California to explore his strange new world, and was discovered by a Paramount scout in the 1940s. He became a popular character actor and played many roles in hundreds of movies, TV shows and on stage until Gene Roddenberry asked him to try out for his new sci-fi show called “Star Trek.”
“Roddenberry offered him a choice of two roles, one of which he described as “this green-painted alien,” the Los Angeles Times reported. Kelley chose McCoy over Mr. Spock, who was played by Leonard Nimoy.
“I’m glad it turned out that way,” Kelley told the Chicago Tribune, “because I wouldn’t have been anywhere near Leonard (Nimoy). He’s been marvelous.”
“Star Trek” ran from 1966-69 on NBC before it was canceled for poor ratings.
As we know, the Enterprise and its crew had many more voyages. “Star Trek” later became hugely popular and Kelley starred in all six of the movies from 1979-91 that featured the original cast, according to IMDB.com, and appeared at many conventions through the years.
Kelley died after a battle with cancer on June 11, 1999.
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