DeForest Kelley Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Star Trek, Death

Jackson DeForest Kelley also known as DeForest Kelley is a prominent American actor known for his iconic portrayal of Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in the original Star Trek television series and its subsequent films.

His gruff yet compassionate performance as the Enterprise’s chief medical officer became one of the most beloved characters in science fiction, delivering memorable lines like “He’s dead, Jim” and “Damn it, Jim, I’m a doctor, not a…” His work helped define the role of the ship’s doctor in sci-fi and earned him lasting recognition among fans.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Jackson DeForest Kelley
• Stage Name: DeForest Kelley
• Born: January 20, 1920
• Age: 79 years old
• Died: June 11, 1999
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 178 cm
• Religion: Methodist
• Parents: Ernest David Kelley and Clora Casey Kelley
• Siblings: One
• Spouse: Carolyn Dowling
• Children: Unknown
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million USD

Early Life and Education

DeForest Kelley was born on January 20, 1920, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. He was brought up by his parents, Ernest David Kelley, a Methodist minister who worked as a salesman and later in insurance, and Clora Casey Kelley, a homemaker. He grew up in Conyers and Decatur, Georgia, in a deeply religious Southern Baptist household where his father was a preacher. No siblings are publicly documented.

He attended Decatur Boys High School and sang in the church choir from a young age, developing an early interest in performing. He briefly studied at Conyers High School and considered a career in medicine or the ministry before pursuing acting. He received training through local theater and later moved to California.

His ethnicity is Caucasian, and his religion is Methodist.

Career

DeForest Kelley began his career in the 1940s with theater work and early television appearances. He appeared in Westerns and crime dramas, including roles in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) as Morgan Earp, The Law and Jake Wade (1958), and Warlock (1959). He guest-starred on series like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Virginian.

He gained his most famous role as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in Star Trek (1966–1969) and reprised it in six Star Trek feature films from Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991).

He appeared in other projects like Night of the Lepus (1972) and appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991) as McCoy. He retired from acting in the early 1990s due to declining health. His accolades include a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1993), recognition as a sci-fi icon, and posthumous honors from Star Trek fandom.

Social Media

DeForest Kelley did not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

DeForest Kelley was 79 years old at the time of his death and his height was 178 cm. He was married to Carolyn Dowling from 1945 until his death in 1999. They had no children. No past relationships are publicly known.

He maintained a quiet personal life, was devoted to his wife, supported animal welfare causes, and was known for his kindness and humor off-screen. He suffered from emphysema and heart disease in later years, passing away from stomach cancer on June 11, 1999, in Woodland Hills, California.

Net Worth

DeForest Kelley‘s net worth is estimated at $5 million USD at the time of his death. His income primarily came from acting roles in the original Star Trek series and its six feature films; residuals and royalties from syndication, reruns, and home video releases; guest appearances on television Westerns and dramas; theater work in early career; and later conventions and appearances related to Star Trek fandom.