10 Years Ago Today: DeForest Kelley passed away
Blain
Thursday
1:09 pm
I can’t believe it’s been that long. I wasn’t even a Star Trek fan at the time and I still remember hearing about his death and still feeling at a loss. On June 11, 1999, DeForest Kelley succumbed to stomach cancer. At the time I knew of Kelley’s Leonard “Bones” McCoy mostly from the animated series and the movies because I didn’t start watching the original series until a few years later. I always thought he was awesome, but after I started watching the original series, he instantly became my favorite character. As much as I liked Kirk and Spock, Bones always seemed much more down to earth. He taught us (and god knows he tried with Spock) to enjoy who we are despite our flaws because being human was the most precious thing we have. He was cool when faced with uncertain danger and hot headed when logic simply wasn’t the answer. In many ways, not only was he one of Kirk’s closet friends, he also served as his conscience on many occasions.
DeForest Kelley had a long film career that also included many westerns, but Bones is the reason we know him. Even today, he continues to gain new fans, like my wife. Despite being introduced to Bones through Karl Urban in the new movie, she fell in love with the character even more with Kelley’s performance when she started watching the original series with me.
So today, let’s celebrate his life and raise a glass of Saurian Brandy (or mint julep) to DeForest Kelley. Cheers to you, good doctor.
Amber
Jason
Nick Burns
Christy
Charlotte
Bill
Blain
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Reader Comments
Yeah. Even in the old carboard-set era, Bones brought a dash of grounded reality to the series. Star Trek V kerchief aside, I miss the guy.
Oh, sure, I’m still trying to get over the very recent death of David Eddings–who, far more than Tolkien and Brooks and others who came before, is largely responsible for my early interest in fantasy and writing–and now you bring this up. >;)
I loved Bones from my very first episode of TOS on.
A heartfelt Hear Hear to this, Blain. There’s rarely a confusing situation which cannot be met with, “Damnit, Jim. I’m a doctor not a torpedo/rocket scientist/green skinned hussy”
Darn you Amber, I didn’t know about Eddings! Now I’m sadder than I should be on a Friday… But Bones truly was my favorite character in the Original Series, he seemed the one easiest to relate to.