DeForest Kelley, born January 20, 1920, in Toccoa, Georgia, was an American actor best known for portraying Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in Star Trek: The Original Series and its subsequent films. He was also a screenwriter, poet, and singer.

     Kelley grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and was named after Lee de Forest, a pioneering electronics engineer. His father, Ernest David Kelley, was a Baptist minister, and his mother, Clora Casey Kelley, encouraged his artistic pursuits. Kelley initially aspired to become a doctor but pursued acting after discovering his talent for performance.

     During World War II, Kelley served in the United States Army Air Forces, working in the First Motion Picture Unit. After the war, he moved to California, where he was discovered by a Paramount Pictures scout while appearing in a Navy training film. His first major film role was in Fear in the Night (1947), which led to a career in Western films and television.

     Kelley became a familiar face in Hollywood Westerns, often playing villains in films such as Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) and Apache Uprising (1965). His television credits included Bonanza, The Fugitive, and Wanted: Dead or Alive. In 1966, he was cast as Dr. McCoy in Star Trek, a role that made him an international icon. He reprised the character in six Star Trek films, including Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991).

     Beyond acting, Kelley was a poet and philanthropist, supporting various charities. He was married to Carolyn Dowling from 1945 until his passing. Kelley died on June 11, 1999, at age 79, due to stomach cancer.