DeForest Kelley

Biography

Jackson DeForest Kelley (January 20, 1920 – June 11, 1999) was an American actor, screenwriter, poet, and singer. He was known for his roles in Westerns and achieved international fame as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy of the USS Enterprise in the television and film series Star Trek (1966–1991).

In 1934, the family left Conyers for Decatur, Georgia. He attended the Decatur Boys High School and played on the Decatur Bantam baseball team. Kelley also played football and other sports. Before graduating in 1938, Kelley worked as a drugstore car hop. He spent his weekends working in the local theaters.

He made his film debut in the chorus of New Moon (1940) and nearly secured the lead role in This Gun for Hire (1942), but Alan Ladd was chosen instead.

In 1945, Kelley married Carolyn Charlotte Meagher Dowling.