In the video about DeForest Kelley shown at De’s  memorial service, Nicholas Meyer had this to say about him:

 

“An actor is someone who pretends to be somebody else.

A movie star is somebody who pretends that somebody else is them.

DeForest Kelley was a real movie star.”

Until I heard Meyer’s expanded explanation of the difference between actors and movie stars, I always scratched my head, trying to “get” what he was saying in that video. So, here’s the expanded  explanation of what he meant:

“Actors will change their face, will change their hair,  will change their voice, will disappear into the role.

A movie star doesn’t disappear.”

Bingo!  De was a true movie star.  He never disappeared. His presence was always front and center — even when he was “channeling” some of the most depraved heavies ever to be found on the silver screen.

Another commentator in the same memorial service video said De possessed a Henry Fonda-esque quality.  Henry Fonda was a movie star. His essence never disappeared.

Applause, applause, Nicholas Meyer!  You nailed it!

Inscription by De in above image