From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley, Star Trek's Dr. McCoy

A Country boy grows up to be a Hollywood actor, finds true love, and hits his stride after 40. What a wonderful, & uniquely American story! If you're a Star Trek fan you have to love De, and you have to read this book. Just one caveat, the Kindle version inserts chapters regarding STIII, & STIV out of sequence. It was a little jarring to read about the Motion Picture than skipping TWOK completely.

Just read all the notes and sources Thia is a loving, caring, meticulously researched and interview-loaded book of the intimate love story of a couple, one of whom literally became Dr. Leonard McCoy over the years. I loved it. I laughed. I cried. I admired. Among the best biographies I've ever read

DeForest Kelley was a true Southern gentleman, by all accounts, born in Georgia, he got the acting bug in his late teens. Prior to Star Trek he had been a struggling actor, much like Shatner and Nimoy, appearing in small roles in westerns for many years. When he was cast as the ship's Chief Medical Officer, the part was perfect for him and he also created the role to some degree. He was very believable as the somewhat old-fashioned, but medically astute Ship's Physician and interacted well with his co-stars. Yes, he made it seem real.Unlike the other cast members, he did not do an autobiography, for whatever reason, probably due to his natural humility. We are lucky to have this book.

Great for a Star Trek Fan.

Terry Lee Rioux’s “From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley, Star Trek’s Dr. McCoy” tells the story of DeForest Kelley in beautiful detail, covering the actor’s early years under the Paramount studio system through his work in Westerns on both TV and film and finally his rise to international stardom through “Star Trek.” Rioux describes Kelley’s essential gentleness and humility, revealing how he built a quiet network of personal friendships and rose above the pettiness in Hollywood through his love of a quiet life. Rioux concludes of Kelley and Gene Roddenberry, “Gene’s message was clear: You are better than you think you are. DeForest’s message was also clear: You are more beloved than you think you are. Gene lived and fought so that when the future arrives, there will be humans in it. DeForest lived and endured so that when the future arrives, it will be humane” (pg. 330). Rioux thoroughly researched her subject, drawing upon personal archives from the Kelleys and their friends, interviews, as well as previously-published or recorded interviews. “From Sawdust to Stardust” is a beautiful contribution to the collection of “Star Trek” biographies.

I actually bought this book for my kindle by mistake thinking it was the biography of Dr. Leonard McCoy, the Star Trek character, and I soon discovered it was about the actor DeForest Kelley. Once I realized my mistake I decided to read it anyway since I am a huge fan of Star Trek TOS and DeForest Kelley. I found this book to be a delightful and very enjoyable read about Kelley's acting career and his private life. The book is thorough in covering his life from childhood to death, except it leaves out the actor's story surrounding the final Star Trek movie he made "Star Trek VI". Nonetheless, I give it five stars and would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Star Trek TOS and/or DeForest Kelley.

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.

I have been a Star Trek fan for my entire life (at least the last 46 years of it) and like most people that was how I was introduced to DeForest Kelley. His crowning achievement as an actor (Bones McCoy) is only a part of what this fine southern gentleman achieved in his life.This book is the perfect vehicle for telling the entire story of Kelley's life from the early days in Georgia to the top of the mountain in Hollywood. It has some wonderful insights into what made Kelley tick including his devotion to his craft, his devotion to his family and his devotion to his country. It also tells interesting background on some of the people (actors and others) that Kelley's life touched along the way. For example, I had no idea that Deforest Kelley was such close friends with another childhood hero of mine - George Reeves (aka Superman) from the 1950's.Overall, this is an enjoyable and informative look into the life of one of the most (for me at least) recognizable characters in television history. I highly recomend it even if you aren't a Star Trek fan.

Mooi en interessant om zijn levensverhaal te lezen.

For Deforest Kelley and Doctor McCoy fans this book is a must! I must say I didn't know much about De only that I loved how he brought Dr.McCoy to life and now I have also fallen in love with the man himself. This book is easy to read and pick up where ever you left off. I'm nearly finished it and to be honest I'm purposely taking my time because I don't want it to end (particularly cause i know it's just going to be so sad) It gives a lovely history of his life from the beginning to the end, he is a true gent and I'm only sorry I didn't become a fan sooner.I highly recommend this book for lovers of De and Star Trek.

A brilliant biography, full of interesting and unknown facts about the life of one of Star Trek's moist popular characters. Unfortunately, the author is a little hesitant to dig too deep into any negative aspects of Kelly's life, so there is nothign that could be considered shocking or controversial about this book. Overall, a good read though.

Sachlich geschrieben, daher gut lesbar. Informativ ohne viel "Schnickschnack". Auch als Nicht- Muttersprachler ist das Buch gut lesbar.Das Buch erhält die Balance zwischen empathischer Beteiligung und Sachlichkeit.Im Gegensatz zur anderen im Umlauf befindlichen "Biographie" , die in großen Teilen eigentlich die Autobiographie der Autorin darstellt, als Außenstehender angenehmer zu lesen.Man muss nicht zwingend glühender Fan sein, um dieses Buch interessant zu finden, denn es werden geschichtliche und gesellschaftspolitische Zusammenhänge dargestellt, die Jeden interessieren.Conclusio: Ein kurzweiliger, interessanter Zeitvertreib!

EXCELLENT BOOK!