The Enduring Legacy of DeForest Kelley in Star Trek: The Next Generation

The Treasured Call from DeForest Kelley

The success of Star Trek: First Contact brought unexpected joy to director Jonathan Frakes when he received a heartwarming phone call from his favorite Star Trek: The Original Series actor, DeForest Kelley. Frakes, who directed the highly popular and successful Star Trek: The Next Generation movie, was pleasantly surprised by Kelley's call, which is a memory he still treasures.

Doctor McCoy and Data walk down the hall in Star Trek TNG

In the Star Trek oral history "The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years," Jonathan Frakes recounts the thoughtful and unnecessary surprise of DeForest Kelley's call, expressing his admiration for Kelley and the impact of the call on him. Kelley's kind gesture spoke volumes about his character and his genuine concern for the future of the Star Trek franchise.

Sarek Sick TNG

DeForest Kelley's Role in Passing the Torch

DeForest Kelley's cameo appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation's premiere episode, "Encounter at Farpoint," as Admiral Leonard McCoy, marked the beginning of the original Star Trek cast's interactions with the Enterprise-D crew. Despite only having a scene with Data, Kelley's presence left a lasting impression on the cast and crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation, as noted by Jonathan Frakes.

Spock and Picard look at one another in Star Trek TNG

Kelley's genuine and considerate nature is further highlighted by his phone call to Frakes, reassuring him that the Star Trek franchise was in good hands. This act of passing the torch from the original series to the next generation reflects Kelley's deep connection to the Star Trek universe and his support for its future endeavors.

Scotty Picard Star Trek TNG

The Lasting Legacy of DeForest Kelley

DeForest Kelley's impact on the Star Trek franchise extended beyond his cameo on The Next Generation. His decision to preserve his role as Dr. McCoy in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, making it his last appearance as Bones, reflects his respect for the character and the franchise's history.

The Lasting Legacy of DeForest Kelley

Kelley's influence also paved the way for other original Star Trek actors to make appearances in The Next Generation, including Mark Lenard as Ambassador Sarek and James Doohan as Scotty. By passing the torch and setting a precedent for the original cast to appear in the next generation of Star Trek, Kelley's legacy continues to resonate throughout the Star Trek universe.