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From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley
In the forty-year history of Star Trek ®, none of the television show's actors are more beloved than DeForest Kelley. His portrayal of Leonard "Bones" McCoy, the southern physician aboard the Starship Enterprise ™, brought an unaffected humanity to the groundbreaking space frontier series.
Jackson DeForest Kelley came of age in Depression-era Georgia. He was raised on the sawdust trail, a preacher's kid steeped in his father's literal faith and judgment. But De's natural artistic gifts called him to a different way, and a visit to California at seventeen showed a bright new world.
Theater and radio defined his early career -- but it was a World War II training film he made while serving in the Army Air Corps that led to his first Paramount Studios contract.
After years of struggle, his lean, weathered look became well known in notable westerns and television programs such as You Are There and Bonanza. But his work on several pilots for writer-producer Gene Roddenberry changed his destiny and the course of cultural history.
This thoroughly researched actor's life is about hard work and luck, loyalty and love. It is a journey that takes us all...from sawdust to stardust.
Jackson DeForest Kelley came of age in Depression-era Georgia. He was raised on the sawdust trail, a preacher's kid steeped in his father's literal faith and judgment. But De's natural artistic gifts called him to a different way, and a visit to California at seventeen showed a bright new world.
Theater and radio defined his early career -- but it was a World War II training film he made while serving in the Army Air Corps that led to his first Paramount Studios contract.
After years of struggle, his lean, weathered look became well known in notable westerns and television programs such as You Are There and Bonanza. But his work on several pilots for writer-producer Gene Roddenberry changed his destiny and the course of cultural history.
This thoroughly researched actor's life is about hard work and luck, loyalty and love. It is a journey that takes us all...from sawdust to stardust.
362 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
83 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
February 4, 2014
This book was so bad I really don't know where to start... I'll just make a list:
1) The author didn't interview any of Kelley's colleagues (no Star Trek co-stars, not any of the people he worked with on other series or in the numerous movies he made).
2) Instead, she inteviewed his mailman. DeForest Kelley got mail - how exiting.
3) There are only a handful of photos, most of them grainy, blurry snapshots. No glamour-photos, no screenshots, no publicity shots, no candids. Seriously, this is what you find in every good actor-biography. But not here.
4) No filmography. See 3).
5) Lots of information about one of Kelley's fans, one Ms. Smith, and the death of her mother from cancer. Very sad, but isn't this supposed to be a book about DeForest Kelley?
6) The writing style is a disaster, the thing reads like a jumble of notes, peppered with esoteric babbling about the man's pet turtle and some sacharine sentimentality that will make you gag.
7) No index with the author's sources etc.
This book is neither informative nor well researched. It's incoherent drivel that will tell you nothing about DeForest Kelley and his work. Not even about Star Trek, let alone the western movies or the tv-work. Don't waste your time.
1) The author didn't interview any of Kelley's colleagues (no Star Trek co-stars, not any of the people he worked with on other series or in the numerous movies he made).
2) Instead, she inteviewed his mailman. DeForest Kelley got mail - how exiting.
3) There are only a handful of photos, most of them grainy, blurry snapshots. No glamour-photos, no screenshots, no publicity shots, no candids. Seriously, this is what you find in every good actor-biography. But not here.
4) No filmography. See 3).
5) Lots of information about one of Kelley's fans, one Ms. Smith, and the death of her mother from cancer. Very sad, but isn't this supposed to be a book about DeForest Kelley?
6) The writing style is a disaster, the thing reads like a jumble of notes, peppered with esoteric babbling about the man's pet turtle and some sacharine sentimentality that will make you gag.
7) No index with the author's sources etc.
This book is neither informative nor well researched. It's incoherent drivel that will tell you nothing about DeForest Kelley and his work. Not even about Star Trek, let alone the western movies or the tv-work. Don't waste your time.
July 30, 2013
Well... nice.
It’s great to find out a bit more about (Jackson) DeForest Kelley and his years before “Star Trek” – and also the “Star Trek” years, of course. That, and – as far as I know – it’s the only biography about “De” at all.
So it’s totally forgivable that it gets a teeny-tiny bit repetitive in the later chapters, but there comes a point when you’ll roll your eyes and think, “Yes, we KNOW he was a gentleman, we KNOW he was a wonderful guy, we KNOW that Carolyn was the love of his life and vice versa. WE KNOW! You can stop telling us.”
Between repeating too much about DeForest Kelley’s character and his happy, quiet life with Carolyn, Terry Lee Rioux also has the annoying habit of not telling us enough. He often stops in the middle – or at least that what it felt like to me – of a story and leaves out the actual solution. Like the story he told about Phil Weyland, a friend of De and hired as his stand-in for Star Trek – The Motion Picture.
Rioux wrote, “When Kelley found out that Weyland and another stand-in had stood over that hot transporter-room floor grill for hours without a break, he made short work of the situation.”
(“From Sawdust To Stardust”, page 232)
How? What exactly did he do? Did he pull the boys out and spent them a meal and lots of water? Did he yell at the excutives? Did he calmly threaten to quit the production? What?
There are a lot of stories and anecdotes that end like that, which makes the whole book a tad... unsatisfactory. But it’s still interesting and a good read, so... yeah. Still three stars of five.
It’s great to find out a bit more about (Jackson) DeForest Kelley and his years before “Star Trek” – and also the “Star Trek” years, of course. That, and – as far as I know – it’s the only biography about “De” at all.
So it’s totally forgivable that it gets a teeny-tiny bit repetitive in the later chapters, but there comes a point when you’ll roll your eyes and think, “Yes, we KNOW he was a gentleman, we KNOW he was a wonderful guy, we KNOW that Carolyn was the love of his life and vice versa. WE KNOW! You can stop telling us.”
Between repeating too much about DeForest Kelley’s character and his happy, quiet life with Carolyn, Terry Lee Rioux also has the annoying habit of not telling us enough. He often stops in the middle – or at least that what it felt like to me – of a story and leaves out the actual solution. Like the story he told about Phil Weyland, a friend of De and hired as his stand-in for Star Trek – The Motion Picture.
Rioux wrote, “When Kelley found out that Weyland and another stand-in had stood over that hot transporter-room floor grill for hours without a break, he made short work of the situation.”
(“From Sawdust To Stardust”, page 232)
How? What exactly did he do? Did he pull the boys out and spent them a meal and lots of water? Did he yell at the excutives? Did he calmly threaten to quit the production? What?
There are a lot of stories and anecdotes that end like that, which makes the whole book a tad... unsatisfactory. But it’s still interesting and a good read, so... yeah. Still three stars of five.
November 21, 2015
I had some issues with the way this book was written--it was like a really long magazine article, rather than a book. Also, there were some typos the editors should be ashamed of missing. Still, the subject of the biography was an amazing enough person that I stayed interested anyway. What a guy--he really was a wonderful person, and this book made me sad I never got to meet him, even for a moment.
I couldn't read the end, though. I hope Myrtle the turtle's doing well.
I couldn't read the end, though. I hope Myrtle the turtle's doing well.
January 24, 2010
This is a pretty decent account of the life of the actor that brought to life one of the great cultural icons of my time. After having read the autobiographies of many of the actors behind the other major characters of Star Trek, I had always wished that DeForest had written his as well. Since he did not, I was glad to find someone did it on his behalf.
There's plenty here to like. There are many details about his formative years and pre-Trek career in cowboy films and television. There's also an appropriate amount of detail about his later illness and passing. I really like how the author was able to elicit plenty of memories and opinions from De's neighbors and friends. Oh yeah, she also includes plenty of anecdotes about making the Star Trek television shows and movies.
What didn't work is expecting the reader to always remember the cast of unknown characters surrounding the Kelleys in their private life. I've never heard of these people, so it was hard to keep them straight. I needed a bit more structure so I could remember how they fit into the picture (was that someone he met at the Long Beach theater or is it the mail man?). One other annoyance for me was the occasional lapse into editorial by the author, as she waxed poetic about the meaning of Star Trek or DeForest Kelley's career. But this was usually excusable.
Recommended for anyone who loves Star Trek, or cowboy movies.
There's plenty here to like. There are many details about his formative years and pre-Trek career in cowboy films and television. There's also an appropriate amount of detail about his later illness and passing. I really like how the author was able to elicit plenty of memories and opinions from De's neighbors and friends. Oh yeah, she also includes plenty of anecdotes about making the Star Trek television shows and movies.
What didn't work is expecting the reader to always remember the cast of unknown characters surrounding the Kelleys in their private life. I've never heard of these people, so it was hard to keep them straight. I needed a bit more structure so I could remember how they fit into the picture (was that someone he met at the Long Beach theater or is it the mail man?). One other annoyance for me was the occasional lapse into editorial by the author, as she waxed poetic about the meaning of Star Trek or DeForest Kelley's career. But this was usually excusable.
Recommended for anyone who loves Star Trek, or cowboy movies.
February 6, 2017
2,5. I was totally expecting on being biased to giving this book a high rating, but I just can't. Yes, the subject of the book is of great interest of me, but the writing is so monotone.
The person writing this auto-biography also seem like they're way too familiar with Kelley's private friends, because she keep referring to people with first and last name in a weird mix. Sometimes I had no idea who she was writing about. An example would be when she was writing something about Shatner in one paragraph and the next paragraph she writing about Bill, who turns out to not be "Bill" Shatner but a completely different person. The confusion!
I also miss Kelley's personal perspective in the book. I had hoped to get some of his thoughts on Star Trek, but the focus of this book is more on summarizing his career and life. (I can't blame the writer for this, but I've been spoiled by the other Star Trek actors writing their own biographies. I really wanted to know Deforest Kelley's side of everything).
The kindle version of this book is a mess. The chapters about the movies are mixed up and three of them were repeated and the text in the last chapter was entirely in italics.
The person writing this auto-biography also seem like they're way too familiar with Kelley's private friends, because she keep referring to people with first and last name in a weird mix. Sometimes I had no idea who she was writing about. An example would be when she was writing something about Shatner in one paragraph and the next paragraph she writing about Bill, who turns out to not be "Bill" Shatner but a completely different person. The confusion!
I also miss Kelley's personal perspective in the book. I had hoped to get some of his thoughts on Star Trek, but the focus of this book is more on summarizing his career and life. (I can't blame the writer for this, but I've been spoiled by the other Star Trek actors writing their own biographies. I really wanted to know Deforest Kelley's side of everything).
The kindle version of this book is a mess. The chapters about the movies are mixed up and three of them were repeated and the text in the last chapter was entirely in italics.
April 20, 2018
Doctor Bones started in Crappy westerns then went on to get his big brake in Star Trek.
This takes you on slow trip to Spock's Brain & beyond all the funny stories & the bit parts that are unknown
Also his influence on young people who have become Doctors all because as a child they watched Star Trek
This takes you on slow trip to Spock's Brain & beyond all the funny stories & the bit parts that are unknown
Also his influence on young people who have become Doctors all because as a child they watched Star Trek
February 20, 2016
The book was written in a style that was hard to get into. Deforest, the man, was just so inspiring and interesting that he kept me reading. The ending was terribly sad and poignant. I don't consider 3 stars to be a bad rating.
March 15, 2012
Wow. Just wow.
I don't care if you're not a Star Trek fan. I don't care if you've been living in some weird other world and have no clue who DeForest Kelley was (the Original Dr. "Bones" McCoy and cast in many westerns prior to Star Trek stardom). You really must read this book. From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley, Star Trek's Dr. McCoy by Terry Lee Rioux is an absolutely amazing book about one of the most decent men of the 20th Century--and definitely one of the most decent people to go ever through Hollywood.
The down-to-earth son of a Georgia Baptist preacher, DeForest Kelley was all that a true Southern gentleman should be--a Southern gentleman without all the prejudices and stereotypical behaviors ascribed to the people of the South. He always treated women as ladies--without being condescending. He always treated everyone--black, white, Asian, older, younger, it did not matter--with the respect due an equal. He grew up with certain principles--principles that came both from his preacher father and his gentle mother--and he never let them go. Not when trying hard to make his way in the dog-eat-dog world of movie industry and not even when late in life he finally reached the star status which being part of the iconic Star Trek mythos brought him.
In the glittering world of Hollywood where marriage partners could be changed as often as one's outfits, Kelley remained married to the same woman for over 40 years. And not only remained married, but friends said he was just as in love and just as romantic as when he first courted her. He was infinitely patient with the clamoring fans who loved him for the space age doctor he portrayed. And up until the end of his life, he had all his fan mail delivered directly to his home and he and his wife Carolyn opened, read, and answered every piece they possibly could. He touched more lives "playing a doctor on TV" than he ever could have had he become one in real life--visiting sick children who were fans, inspiring young people to become doctors themselves, and influencing everyone he met to be kinder, gentler, and better than they were before.
Terry Lee Rioux has given us an incredible look at a truly remarkable person. McCoy has always been my favorite Star Trek character. DeForest Kelley is one of my favorite human beings. Five Stars--unreservedly.
{This review is mine and was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting any portion. Thanks.}
I don't care if you're not a Star Trek fan. I don't care if you've been living in some weird other world and have no clue who DeForest Kelley was (the Original Dr. "Bones" McCoy and cast in many westerns prior to Star Trek stardom). You really must read this book. From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley, Star Trek's Dr. McCoy by Terry Lee Rioux is an absolutely amazing book about one of the most decent men of the 20th Century--and definitely one of the most decent people to go ever through Hollywood.
The down-to-earth son of a Georgia Baptist preacher, DeForest Kelley was all that a true Southern gentleman should be--a Southern gentleman without all the prejudices and stereotypical behaviors ascribed to the people of the South. He always treated women as ladies--without being condescending. He always treated everyone--black, white, Asian, older, younger, it did not matter--with the respect due an equal. He grew up with certain principles--principles that came both from his preacher father and his gentle mother--and he never let them go. Not when trying hard to make his way in the dog-eat-dog world of movie industry and not even when late in life he finally reached the star status which being part of the iconic Star Trek mythos brought him.
In the glittering world of Hollywood where marriage partners could be changed as often as one's outfits, Kelley remained married to the same woman for over 40 years. And not only remained married, but friends said he was just as in love and just as romantic as when he first courted her. He was infinitely patient with the clamoring fans who loved him for the space age doctor he portrayed. And up until the end of his life, he had all his fan mail delivered directly to his home and he and his wife Carolyn opened, read, and answered every piece they possibly could. He touched more lives "playing a doctor on TV" than he ever could have had he become one in real life--visiting sick children who were fans, inspiring young people to become doctors themselves, and influencing everyone he met to be kinder, gentler, and better than they were before.
Terry Lee Rioux has given us an incredible look at a truly remarkable person. McCoy has always been my favorite Star Trek character. DeForest Kelley is one of my favorite human beings. Five Stars--unreservedly.
{This review is mine and was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting any portion. Thanks.}
August 18, 2015
Yes, I had some issues with the writing style and the author's attitude, but other reviewers have covered those complaints. Here, I want to talk about subject of this biography, and the inspiration I took from him, even from the glimpse I had from this book. I've always loved McCoy, and right now I'm so proud to say that I truly love De as well. He is a consummately good man, and there are so many ways in which I relate to him. His challenges with the chaining fear of his childhood faith, his burning need to forge his identity as an artist, his dogged but humble ambition in the industry, the way he kept to his principles, remained good in a land of temptation, and then the tragic way he was always just one step behind the fame he always sought. But he was content with his simple life, with his wife and his love of the simple things. He was sincere, and truly cared about his friends. He was loyal, understanding, and a rock to lean on. His life is an odd parallel to mine, in that he is so often the things I was or try to be, even what I am now considering. But the most compelling reason I have for my great love for DeForest is his own inherent admirable character: his simple faith, his self-effacing humor, his quiet conviction, his gentle modesty, sincerity, and wit. He was not an innocent, but he had innocence. He was a preacher in his own way, through his goodness and his humanity, on and off the screen. He shone His light through his actions and devotion, and was truly great among people who are only content to call themselves such.
September 11, 2017
Jeez, I wanted to love this book more. Kelley is the least celebrated of the High Trinity of Star Trek, and I very much wanted to know more about him. The book delivered on that, but it was a struggle. Anecdotes from friends and bits of interview and speeches by Kelley are thrown out with abandon, that feel disjointed and disconnected (and, occasionally, self-serving). In-between Rioux makes broad, laudatory generalizations about Kelley that are almost painful to read either as armchair psych or as hagiography.
Did I come away knowing more about Kelley as a person and as an actor than when I started? Absolutely, and I'm grateful for that. Would I ever return to reread this book? Heavens, no.
Did I come away knowing more about Kelley as a person and as an actor than when I started? Absolutely, and I'm grateful for that. Would I ever return to reread this book? Heavens, no.
Read
February 14, 2016I have just finsished reading this wonderful book in floods of tears. What a remarkable man. I always remember Deforest Kelley forever as Dr Leonard H McCoy from Star Trek, i bought the book wanting to know more and i have not regretted it. Deforest Kelley was a complex man but obviously very talented as an actor and a warm compassionate human being and that came across in this book. From Sawdust to Stardust is a moving passionate tribute to Deforest Kelley, insightful, funny and moving. The world was robbed of a true human being when he died in 1999. As Dr McCoy once said "He's not really gone, as long as we remember him......." How true
August 4, 2020
I’ll be honest: this book is a frustrating read.
It’s good because on the one hand this is a look at the life of an actor who, while being a movie star and one of the “big three” main cast of a show that became a genuine cultural icon, was by all accounts a quiet gentle soul who largely kept himself to himself. He’s the closest to an ordinary guy you’d get in a cast of TV stars.
It’s bad because the style it’s written in is just not engaging at all. At times going into extreme detail and other times skipping over things, never having a clear narrative, never drawing you in, and at times seeming a bit more like a writer’s notes than the finished product you’d expect.
I’m a massive Star Trek fan. I love the show and I enjoy learning about the people who breathed life into these beloved characters. This is a book about a man who grew up in the poorest of circumstances and ended his days an inspiration for countless people entering the field of medicine to make the world a better place. I expected to learn more about DeForest Kelley. What I didn’t expect in a million years was to be bored while doing so.
It’s good because on the one hand this is a look at the life of an actor who, while being a movie star and one of the “big three” main cast of a show that became a genuine cultural icon, was by all accounts a quiet gentle soul who largely kept himself to himself. He’s the closest to an ordinary guy you’d get in a cast of TV stars.
It’s bad because the style it’s written in is just not engaging at all. At times going into extreme detail and other times skipping over things, never having a clear narrative, never drawing you in, and at times seeming a bit more like a writer’s notes than the finished product you’d expect.
I’m a massive Star Trek fan. I love the show and I enjoy learning about the people who breathed life into these beloved characters. This is a book about a man who grew up in the poorest of circumstances and ended his days an inspiration for countless people entering the field of medicine to make the world a better place. I expected to learn more about DeForest Kelley. What I didn’t expect in a million years was to be bored while doing so.
April 25, 2018
I used to rate books this way:
5 stars --want to own it forever, read it again, have it near me
4 stars definitely worth reading and recommend it for those who like the genre.
3 stars--good effort, wasn't for me, some plot problem or writing problem
2 stars MEH not well written, waste O time, deal-breaker ending
1 star downright offensive to me, I threw it so hard in trash that the can fell over
0 could not finish
While these criteria often hold true, I now, in my old age, also rate books 5 stars IF they deliver what I needed from the book or IF it is a first book or novel from someone with promise.
Having said that: DeForest Kelley was delightful to read about and was a truly good man, better than his co-stars in many ways.
Kelley was a charming Introvert who never wanted to be anything other than a serious actor (he never really wanted to be a Doctor despite what you might read on-line). He was married to ONE woman for 45 years until he died at age 79 and they were very happy. He chain-smoked and drank vodka and loved gardening. He and his wife had no biological children but had surrogate children in the form of much younger human friends, a turtle, a parkeet, and a dog. Kelley truly loved his fans and treated them with kindness, gratitude and respect. He was handsome, famous, charming but wasn't a Narcissist. He was the only person who never had a feud with another Star Trek actor or producer.
This is a 4.5 star Biography. Any Star Trek fan (Trekkie) should love it. It is a real achievement for the author, who wrote well and lovingly about her subject but still conveyed the challenges and disappointments of his life with diplomatic grace.
Criticism--it was a little too long and a little too positive about every single person no matter how minor in DeForest Kelley's life--the author is so careful not to offend ANYONE that one wonders what she left out. It is kind of like a Hallmark Movie.
Having said that: I will LOVE DeForest forever. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
5 stars --want to own it forever, read it again, have it near me
4 stars definitely worth reading and recommend it for those who like the genre.
3 stars--good effort, wasn't for me, some plot problem or writing problem
2 stars MEH not well written, waste O time, deal-breaker ending
1 star downright offensive to me, I threw it so hard in trash that the can fell over
0 could not finish
While these criteria often hold true, I now, in my old age, also rate books 5 stars IF they deliver what I needed from the book or IF it is a first book or novel from someone with promise.
Having said that: DeForest Kelley was delightful to read about and was a truly good man, better than his co-stars in many ways.
Kelley was a charming Introvert who never wanted to be anything other than a serious actor (he never really wanted to be a Doctor despite what you might read on-line). He was married to ONE woman for 45 years until he died at age 79 and they were very happy. He chain-smoked and drank vodka and loved gardening. He and his wife had no biological children but had surrogate children in the form of much younger human friends, a turtle, a parkeet, and a dog. Kelley truly loved his fans and treated them with kindness, gratitude and respect. He was handsome, famous, charming but wasn't a Narcissist. He was the only person who never had a feud with another Star Trek actor or producer.
This is a 4.5 star Biography. Any Star Trek fan (Trekkie) should love it. It is a real achievement for the author, who wrote well and lovingly about her subject but still conveyed the challenges and disappointments of his life with diplomatic grace.
Criticism--it was a little too long and a little too positive about every single person no matter how minor in DeForest Kelley's life--the author is so careful not to offend ANYONE that one wonders what she left out. It is kind of like a Hallmark Movie.
Having said that: I will LOVE DeForest forever. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 28, 2016
Here's another book to feed my addiction of reading about the history of theater and movies in America.
This book does not disappoint in presenting early studio history in California - Kelly's steady business of being a contract player to the frustration of trying to find steady work as the studio system failed. Loved that the author was able to find and present information on Kelly's Georgian childhood, his early community theater days in California- and his prolific career in the westerns- all before stepping aboard Star Trek. Also - the beginnings of the Star Trek convention phenomenon and the waiting games of getting the Star Trek movies produced.
I appreciate the research and the effort in putting forth Kelly's life story- however, this book could use some tightening/clarifying in the writing.
So much info- so many names of friends- all come tumbling so fast that there was more than one time that I hooked my thumb to the current page and went back trying to recall when and how this person came into Kelly's life.
DeForest Kelly was a wonderful, gentle soul. Loved his way of looking at life- enjoying his career- supporting his close friends- acknowledging his fans ---but insisting that he headed for the peace of home with his beloved Carolyn. Even though I knew how it would end- it hurt.
Now I want to go back and watch Star Trek.
This book does not disappoint in presenting early studio history in California - Kelly's steady business of being a contract player to the frustration of trying to find steady work as the studio system failed. Loved that the author was able to find and present information on Kelly's Georgian childhood, his early community theater days in California- and his prolific career in the westerns- all before stepping aboard Star Trek. Also - the beginnings of the Star Trek convention phenomenon and the waiting games of getting the Star Trek movies produced.
I appreciate the research and the effort in putting forth Kelly's life story- however, this book could use some tightening/clarifying in the writing.
So much info- so many names of friends- all come tumbling so fast that there was more than one time that I hooked my thumb to the current page and went back trying to recall when and how this person came into Kelly's life.
DeForest Kelly was a wonderful, gentle soul. Loved his way of looking at life- enjoying his career- supporting his close friends- acknowledging his fans ---but insisting that he headed for the peace of home with his beloved Carolyn. Even though I knew how it would end- it hurt.
Now I want to go back and watch Star Trek.
May 7, 2014
From cover to cover this is one of the most beautifully written biographies I have ever had the opportunity to read. Being a Star Trek lover from as early as I can remember, my hero's were Kirk, Spock,Scotty, Uhura,and of course, Bones McCoy.
Terri Rioux captures the life and legacy of one of several American Legends involved in the Star Trek franchise, who helped set our collective attention heavenward. From his humble beginnings as the son of a preacher man, through his years in western film, and finally through his life through one of the most beloved television and movie franchises, Terry Rioux gently guides the reader through the life of a very modest, very humble, and very private man who was an actor through and through. The love affair with his wife, the good times in his career, and the low times, are all captured in the pages of this magnificent work. When I was finished with it, I felt like I had known the man all my life. This book will be a permanent part of my library. Thank you Ms. Rioux for letting me 'meet' one of my heros.
Terri Rioux captures the life and legacy of one of several American Legends involved in the Star Trek franchise, who helped set our collective attention heavenward. From his humble beginnings as the son of a preacher man, through his years in western film, and finally through his life through one of the most beloved television and movie franchises, Terry Rioux gently guides the reader through the life of a very modest, very humble, and very private man who was an actor through and through. The love affair with his wife, the good times in his career, and the low times, are all captured in the pages of this magnificent work. When I was finished with it, I felt like I had known the man all my life. This book will be a permanent part of my library. Thank you Ms. Rioux for letting me 'meet' one of my heros.
August 7, 2022
DNF 25% It’s not good. And that’s entirely the writing. I’d have loved to know about his history, his life, his friends, his colleagues, but the author can’t write a good paragraph to save his life. Flipping back and forth between people’s names makes it hard to keep track of them. And there are a LOT of different people in this book.
I feel like it would have been better to have made a fictionalized account, because half of the writing is seemingly pure conjecture based on half smiles in pictures. Don’t make stuff up to pad your word count.
I feel like it would have been better to have made a fictionalized account, because half of the writing is seemingly pure conjecture based on half smiles in pictures. Don’t make stuff up to pad your word count.
September 22, 2015
I loved this book. DeForest has always been one of my favourite actors. I always loved it when he got the last word on Star Trek, and I was glad when he would survive a western.
If you like DeForest before you read this book, you will love him when you finish reading.
He's never really gone--because we remember him.
If you like DeForest before you read this book, you will love him when you finish reading.
He's never really gone--because we remember him.
February 9, 2008
Another must for trekies. From his humble beginnings as the son of a preacher to stardum as Dr McCoy in Startrek; but much more you didn't know.
May 14, 2016
The book was enjoyable and the author, admirably, built up his subject rather than tore him down. That being said, it felt more like a work of academia than literature.
January 23, 2022
I love this man. So much.
Ever since I realised that I couldn't stop looking at him whenever McCoy came on the screen when I was watching Star Trek properly for the first time in 2020, I have been spellbound by this man. He slowly ate up my mind until I wanted nothing more than to read about him, watch him, learn about him. Ever since I knew this book existed I have been longing to read it, and when it appeared in my trusty audio book app as a read-only, I cried of joy.
It took me a long time to finish it, but part of that was because I didn't want it to end. I had been involved in a devoted Deforest hunt for a long time, and this felt like the final obstacle. Of course, it's not - I still have more movies, series and books to get through. With that in mind I finally sat down and finished the book. Throughout it all, I smiled, laughed, took screen shots of special parts I always wanted to remember, put in some book marks at places I'd like to return to and I cried, heavily. It was great.
Yet, I can't give it full five starts. You can feel the incredible love the author have for the actor, the details and explanations sprinkled with beautiful word of affections and sentences upon sentences of compliments about De. I understand them - I feel them, but I also feel how they doesn't always sit right with me. I can't help but think if De would've read this book, and if he would've enjoyed it or if he would've found it in bad taste. I don't know - I didn't know the man, he died when I was mare four years old. But I can't shake the feeling that something's odd. The author claims to have written down essentially what she gathered through discussions, panels, friends, family and stories about Deforest without sprinkling anything more or less on top, and I'd like to believe that. I'd love to believe he was as handsome, calm, friendly and loveable as I've believed from engulfing myself in his movies and tv series, panels and radio shows. But still - something feels off.
Thankfully that feeling was not often there, and most of the time I dived into the book time and time again, getting stuck in reading about this man who swept my heart away over a year ago now.
September 30, 2019
This was an interesting read about DeForest Kelley. It appears to be relating stories directly from DeForest to the author, but you find out that this was written after his death and the author never interviewed DeForest. The stories related here are from interviews with his wife and close friends who are relating his quoted words in the first person.
This is still an interesting book about Kelley and his career. The first half of the book is most interesting about his early life and career in westerns and then you get to his Star Trek years. During and after the Star Trek years, the book seems to involve Kelley's close friends more and more. This makes sense after you read the afterward and realize that more than half of this book came from interviews from these people, so they would make themselves more prominent in Kelley's life. Some of the fans who interacted with Kelley via convention and letters were interesting at how close they felt to Kelley without ever meeting him in person. One particular fan story seems very odd and stalkerish to me and surprising that this made the final book.
I never knew how close in contact he remained with his fans from the early years. He seemed to maintain his close friendships from his early days in California for the rest of his life. I've already read biographies from the other four Star Trek secondary actors and very few mentions many stories about DeForest. A story is related that Kelley had very little contact with his fellow co-stars off of the production sets even though he was friendly with all of the cast.
This book was an interesting read, but you are left with how much of the actual person can be believed as it is related second-hand. Most of this does ring true to Kelley's down-home southern laid back style.
This is still an interesting book about Kelley and his career. The first half of the book is most interesting about his early life and career in westerns and then you get to his Star Trek years. During and after the Star Trek years, the book seems to involve Kelley's close friends more and more. This makes sense after you read the afterward and realize that more than half of this book came from interviews from these people, so they would make themselves more prominent in Kelley's life. Some of the fans who interacted with Kelley via convention and letters were interesting at how close they felt to Kelley without ever meeting him in person. One particular fan story seems very odd and stalkerish to me and surprising that this made the final book.
I never knew how close in contact he remained with his fans from the early years. He seemed to maintain his close friendships from his early days in California for the rest of his life. I've already read biographies from the other four Star Trek secondary actors and very few mentions many stories about DeForest. A story is related that Kelley had very little contact with his fellow co-stars off of the production sets even though he was friendly with all of the cast.
This book was an interesting read, but you are left with how much of the actual person can be believed as it is related second-hand. Most of this does ring true to Kelley's down-home southern laid back style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
If you are a Trekkie or a Trekkor - this is simply mandatory reading material. DeForest Kelley is a founder of the series and a key member of the franchise identity, legendary character, and equally worthy human being. This is the story of DeForest Kelley full of what you would expect (beautiful, funny, anxious, suspenseful, wisdom and love). This is the story of Star Trek's heart.
The story is artfully, truthfully, and exceptionally shared. We see the art of the wonderful actor, the truth of Mr. Kelley's ups and downs, and the exceptional human being he and his wonderful wife Carolyn were to their closest friends, and their extended worldwide family (4-leggeds and 2-leggeds).
The beauty and truth of the Star Trek story are held and shared through the characters and there was no character more of a "utopian example" of humans at their best - than Deforest Kelley's Dr. McCoy.
A beautiful human story about Mr. Kelley, Dr. McCoy, and how they changed our world for the better. Worth every nickel, credit or gold plated latinum.
The story is artfully, truthfully, and exceptionally shared. We see the art of the wonderful actor, the truth of Mr. Kelley's ups and downs, and the exceptional human being he and his wonderful wife Carolyn were to their closest friends, and their extended worldwide family (4-leggeds and 2-leggeds).
The beauty and truth of the Star Trek story are held and shared through the characters and there was no character more of a "utopian example" of humans at their best - than Deforest Kelley's Dr. McCoy.
A beautiful human story about Mr. Kelley, Dr. McCoy, and how they changed our world for the better. Worth every nickel, credit or gold plated latinum.
July 20, 2025
The writing style was, at times, cumbersome or repetitive, but that didn't detract from the core story about Deforest Kelley.
My husband and I read this book together, aloud, to each other. It's something we do. It afforded us the opportunity to chat as we moved through the book, clearing up any confusion we occasionally had about the many people in Kelley's life.
We really enjoyed learning about his life. It's too bad he never wrote an autobiography, but that kind of tracks with how private he and his wife, Carolyn, tried to keep their lives. Nevertheless, he DID save save notes and memorabilia for someone else to write about him. He even proposed the title! According to the credits, "Kelley assisted in this biography as he collected and archived what he wanted a researcher to find."
As far as some complaints I've read about the quality of the research being lacking, it the pictures being fuzzy, I'm not sure what type of reading device others had (physical book, Kindle, etc) but my e-book had very clear pictures and pages and pages of cited footnotes.
We enjoyed this book.
My husband and I read this book together, aloud, to each other. It's something we do. It afforded us the opportunity to chat as we moved through the book, clearing up any confusion we occasionally had about the many people in Kelley's life.
We really enjoyed learning about his life. It's too bad he never wrote an autobiography, but that kind of tracks with how private he and his wife, Carolyn, tried to keep their lives. Nevertheless, he DID save save notes and memorabilia for someone else to write about him. He even proposed the title! According to the credits, "Kelley assisted in this biography as he collected and archived what he wanted a researcher to find."
As far as some complaints I've read about the quality of the research being lacking, it the pictures being fuzzy, I'm not sure what type of reading device others had (physical book, Kindle, etc) but my e-book had very clear pictures and pages and pages of cited footnotes.
We enjoyed this book.
April 19, 2018
Anyone wanting to get on more intimate terms with the Gentleman of Star Trek should read this book. Anyone wanting to find out more about that black-hatted baddie from those older western movies should read this book. Anyone wanting to learn what to include in a well-written biography should read this book. It's one of the best biographies I have read because it does have enough behind-the-scenes stories and details from the life of its subject to make it a very interesting read. Although I've been a lifelong Trekker, I still learned a lot by reading this insightful book. The writing and editing are not perfect, but a few minor annoyances do not detract from an otherwise highly enjoyable reading experience. I feel I know De Kelley after reading this book. And it makes me all the more sad that I never got to meet him.
December 6, 2017
As a fan of TOS, I really enjoyed learning more about the real life of one of my favorite TV characters. There is a lot of really well researched information about Mr. Kelley in this narrative. The string of thought proceeds in a chronological order and covers both professional and personal events. I did feel like certain events and attitudes were glossed over instead of explored in the depth they were due (lots of references to a party lifestyle, or thin examination of relationships between the actor and his colleagues) but that was probably done more out of respect for Mr. Kelley's privacy in life. I really enjoyed this glimpse into his life and feel enriched by the read.
February 20, 2023
The Real McCoy
It's a terrible pun, I know, but meant here to suggest that the Star Trek character so well loved and Jackson DeForest Kelley were.much the same in essential ways. Rioux takes the reader inside the very private off screen life of the actor and demonstrates that many of the things viewers loved about McCoy were present in Kelly's personality and life. Warm, loyal, kind, moral - just a few adjectives that describe the man and characteristics viewers knew were at the heart of McCoy even when he was at his grumpiest.
It's a terrible pun, I know, but meant here to suggest that the Star Trek character so well loved and Jackson DeForest Kelley were.much the same in essential ways. Rioux takes the reader inside the very private off screen life of the actor and demonstrates that many of the things viewers loved about McCoy were present in Kelly's personality and life. Warm, loyal, kind, moral - just a few adjectives that describe the man and characteristics viewers knew were at the heart of McCoy even when he was at his grumpiest.
March 9, 2023
A very detailed biography of DeForest Kelley. I found it quite interesting, although it had more detail than I felt like I needed on Kelley's friendships, from early on until his final years. I was, of course, most interested in his Star Trek period. There is a lot of stuff on his early life, which does help put his life into perspective. The tale is of an intensely private man so I still don't feel like I really know his interior self well, but I don't imagine anyone does except maybe his wife, who is also dead now.
October 6, 2025
What do DeForest Kelly and Boris Karloff have in common? No one in Hollywood had anything bad to say about them.
Other commentors have pointed out that the book is not well researched, but as the only major biography of Kelly, it does the job. Even non-fans of Star Trek may be is interesting in its discussion of life as a working actor in Hollywood, and how Kelly was unable or unwilling to adapt after TOS, being mostly content to reprise McCoy for the rest of his career. The fact that he was by all accounts a nice person and loving husband makes this a pleasant and comforting read.
Other commentors have pointed out that the book is not well researched, but as the only major biography of Kelly, it does the job. Even non-fans of Star Trek may be is interesting in its discussion of life as a working actor in Hollywood, and how Kelly was unable or unwilling to adapt after TOS, being mostly content to reprise McCoy for the rest of his career. The fact that he was by all accounts a nice person and loving husband makes this a pleasant and comforting read.
October 21, 2020
I think Dr McCoy deserved a bit better. Everyone that knew the man said he was the nicest and sweetest guy they had ever met but to keep saying over and over and over got tiring. Basically, Dr McCoy was Kelly and Vice versa.
Writing wasn’t great either. Something was off.
Finally the kindle version had the chapters out of order and duplicated some of them which was really annoying.
For Star Trek fans only.
Writing wasn’t great either. Something was off.
Finally the kindle version had the chapters out of order and duplicated some of them which was really annoying.
For Star Trek fans only.
January 29, 2023
Galactic Physician, Best of Humanity
For any Trekkie, Chief Medical Officer McCoy, “Bones”, resonates as the heart and soul of the series, for his entire focus is always on the health and welfare of all life. And a refreshing examination of DeForest Kelley’s life seems to suggest that this role was the purpose of his life, as if each step led him to the place and time. Readers can only marvel, smile, and beam after reading his story.
For any Trekkie, Chief Medical Officer McCoy, “Bones”, resonates as the heart and soul of the series, for his entire focus is always on the health and welfare of all life. And a refreshing examination of DeForest Kelley’s life seems to suggest that this role was the purpose of his life, as if each step led him to the place and time. Readers can only marvel, smile, and beam after reading his story.
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