Why DeForest Kelly Needed Old-Man Makeup in Star Trek: The Next Generation Pilot

The Character and the Context

DeForest Kelly, best known for his role as Dr. Mccoy in the original Star Trek series, returned to the Starfleet uniform in 1987 as Admiral Leonard H. McCoy in the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, there was a bit of a misalignment between the number of years that had passed since the original series and Kelly's age in 1987. Here's the deets:

Admiral McCoy, according to Starfleet records, was 137 years old during the medical inspection tour of the USS Enterprise-D in the context of the show's narrative. This significant age difference meant that a new actor playing the role would not be able to convincingly portray such an aged version of the character. This is where the creatively magic of Hollywood came into play.

DeForest Kelley, who had previously played Dr. McCoy as recently as Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and was just 74 years old in 1987, would have looked drastically younger in real life than the aged character required on screen. To bridge this visual gap, the production team utilized advanced makeup techniques.

Makeup for Aging

As seen in the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, titled Encounter at Farpoint, the makeup department at Paramount had a task of making DeForest Kelly look 137 years old. This was achieved using a blend of prosthetics and makeup to age Kelley's features convincingly. How did they do it? Let's dive into the specifics.

Since the aging process in the 24th century wasn't

Was It Really Aging?

A valid question arises: given the technological advancements and the fact that humans could live for centuries in the 24th century, couldn't they have developed methods to slow down or even reverse aging? The answer is likely no—entirely reversing aging without side effects would be logistically and scientifically challenging. As the TV series and movies progressed, actors like Brent Spiner (who played Data) clearly aged on screen, making it evident that while life expectancy had been extended, aging was still a real factor.

In this scenario, the decision to have DeForest Kelly in old-man makeup was a practical solution. It allowed the audience to visualize the extensive years McCoy had lived and maintained his status as a respected Admiral in Starfleet. Had they not used makeup and opt for a different actor, it might have looked awkward and disconnected from the established lore of the series.

Cultural Context and Significance

The use of old-man makeup in this pivotal episode has significant cultural importance within the Star Trek universe. It not only ensured continuity but also underscored the themes of aging and time travel inherent in the show. Scenes like these contribute to the rich, detailed narrative fabric that fans appreciate.

Additionally, it's worth noting that this makeup transformation wasn't just a one-off. Over the course of the show, makeup artistry became an integral part of Star Trek. The use of makeup to age actors convincingly was a technique that became a hallmark of the franchise, ensuring that characters like McCoy could stay relevant and consistent with their on-screen age, regardless of the real-life aging of the cast.

Conclusion

So, why did DeForest Kelly need old-man makeup in the pilot of Star Trek: The Next Generation? It was a strategic choice to bridge the gap between the character's age and the actor's real age. By using advanced makeup techniques, the production team ensured that the iconic character of Dr. McCoy remained a believable and compelling figure in this new era of Star Trek.

This episode serves as a testament to the ingenuity and attention to detail that went into bringing this beloved franchise to life. It also highlights the myriad challenges faced by showrunners and makeup teams in maintaining authenticity and consistency in a long-running series.