Denny Miller was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Tarzan, the Ape Man, Wagon Train, and Gilligan’s Island.
Personal and Family Life
Denny Miller was born Dennis Linn Miller on April 25, 1934, in Bloomington, Indiana. His father, Ben Miller, was a physical education instructor. Denny grew up playing basketball with his brother Kent, and they both received scholarships to UCLA. He later married Kit Smythe in 1969, and they had two children before divorcing. He remarried Nancy Carol Gordinier.
Career
Miller started his acting career after he was discovered by a talent agent while working to support himself during college. His first role was in the movie Some Came Running in 1958, but he is most famously known for playing the first blond Tarzan in Tarzan, the Ape Man in 1959. Over the years, he appeared in numerous television series and films, often portraying rugged characters.
Death and Legacy
Denny Miller passed away on September 9, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He is remembered for his contributions to film and television, especially as a notable figure of the Tarzan franchise. His towering height and distinct presence in the entertainment industry left a lasting impression on his fans.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Caboblanco | 1980-03-13 | Horst |
| Buck and the Preacher | 1972-03-17 | Floyd |
| The Island at the Top of the World | 1974-12-16 | Town Guard |
| More Than Murder | 1984-01-26 | Tallahassee |
| Tarzan, the Ape Man | 1959-10-01 | Tarzan |
| The Party | 1968-04-04 | ‘Wyoming Bill’ Kelso |
| Wagon Train | 1957-09-18 | Duke Shannon |
| Gilligan’s Island | 1964-09-26 | |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984-09-30 | Nils Anderson |
| The Incredible Hulk | 1977-11-04 | John Tobey |