Actor DeForest Kelley, known for his role as Dr. McCoy on “Star Trek,” discussed in an interview how his career was saddled with typecasting, which he described as a widespread problem in Hollywood casting. Kelley pointed out that creative stagnation within studios leads to many actors quickly falling into specific, limited roles. He criticized the entertainment industry’s narrow-mindedness in recognizing an actor’s full potential, saying, “Hollywood has an unhappy faculty for putting someone in a slot.”
Kelley believed that casting agents failed to acknowledge his array of acting talents, assuming he could only portray the type of villains he was often selected for. He never anticipated “Star Trek” as a platform for pigeonholing because he found his character Dr. McCoy to be more normal—especially compared to his co-stars’ more fantastical roles.
Regarding his role in “Star Trek,” Kelley explained, “[…] McCoy was most-human character in the whole group. I did not feel that way about Bill or Leonard. The captain, you think about ‘Flash Gordon‘ or that sort of thing. And when I saw Leonard with his makeup, with the ears, I thought, ‘Well, he’s had it.’ I thought, ‘McCoy is still kind of an ordinary human being walking around out there and I don’t think there will be any problems at all.’ I was the most surprised man in the world when I was caught right in the same trap … if you can call it a trap.”
However, Kelley’s prediction proved incorrect as “Star Trek” rose to cult status during syndication in the early 1970s. The increased visibility of his character on television inadvertently shackled him to the persona of Dr. McCoy, thereby overshadowing his versatility as an actor.
FAQs about DeForest Kelley and ‘Star Trek’
- What role did DeForest Kelley play on ‘Star Trek’?
Kelley played the role of Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy, the chief medical officer aboard the USS Enterprise. - Why did DeForest Kelley view ‘Star Trek’ as a mixed blessing?
Kelley felt that while ‘Star Trek’ provided a significant role, it also led to typecasting and limited his ability to show his range as an actor. - Did DeForest Kelley work in roles other than villains before ‘Star Trek’?
Yes, Kelley had acted in a variety of roles but often found himself cast as tough guys or villains due to Hollywood’s tendency to typecast. - What was Kelley’s expectation about his role as Dr. McCoy and typecasting?
He initially believed that Dr. McCoy’s “human” quality would prevent him from being typecast compared to the more fantastical roles of his co-stars. - How did syndication of ‘Star Trek’ affect Kelley’s career?
The syndication and growing popularity of ‘Star Trek’ ironically led to Kelley being more closely associated with, and typecast as, Dr. McCoy.
Conclusion
DeForest Kelley’s portrayal of Dr. McCoy on ‘Star Trek’ illustrates the double-edged sword of typecasting within the acting world. Kelley’s experience is a testament to Hollywood’s inclination to compartmentalize actors, often overlooking their broader capabilities. Despite this challenge, Kelley’s Dr. McCoy remains an iconic and beloved character, proving that even a “mixed blessing” can leave an enduring legacy in television history.