Denis Simpson
Encyclopedia
Denis Simpson was a Canadian
actor and singer, best known as a host of the TV series Polka Dot Door
. He was also an original member of the singing group The Nylons
.
, Simpson moved with his family to Scarborough, Ontario
, Canada at age 10. His half-sister, born 1964, is actress Gloria Reuben
. At York University
, where he studied for one year, Simpson focused on music, theatre, and dance.
in 1978–79, he left the band to appear in the Broadway
musical Indigo before they became commercially successful.
Simpson was also a longtime host of the children's television series Polka Dot Door
, from 1978 until the mid-1980s. He appeared in such television series as Seeing Things, Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show, Night Visions
, These Arms of Mine, Robson Arms
, MacGyver
and on the Canadian game show Acting Crazy
. He also hosted a cooking show on Channel M
called Café m and was the "Live Eye Guy" for Citytv Vancouver
's Breakfast Television
.
He was nominated for several Jessie Awards for his theatre work, winning one for his one-man show Denis Anyone? He was also involved in charitable work with AIDS organizations, and hosting local events.
He died on October 22, 2010 of a sudden brain hemorrhage, approximately two weeks before his 60th birthday.
After his passing his family set up a website in his memory at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/denissimpson/Homepage.aspx
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
actor and singer, best known as a host of the TV series Polka Dot Door
Polka Dot Door
Polka Dot Door was a long-running children's television series produced and broadcast by TVOntario from 1971 until 1993. The show, which aired Monday to Friday, was set in a large playhouse...
. He was also an original member of the singing group The Nylons
The Nylons
The Nylons are an a cappella group founded in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Best known for their covers of The Turtles' "Happy Together", Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", and The Tokens' version of the traditional "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"....
.
Early life and family
Born in JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, Simpson moved with his family to Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough, Ontario
Scarborough is a dissolved municipality within the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the eastern part of Toronto. It is bordered on the south by Lake Ontario, on the west by Victoria Park Avenue, on the north by Steeles Avenue East, and on the east by the Rouge River...
, Canada at age 10. His half-sister, born 1964, is actress Gloria Reuben
Gloria Reuben
Gloria Reuben is a Canadian singer and actress of film and television, known for her role as Jeanie Boulet on the popular medical drama ER and for her role of Rosalind Whitman in the TV show Raising the Bar.-Life and career:...
. At York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
, where he studied for one year, Simpson focused on music, theatre, and dance.
Career
The original bass vocalist for The NylonsThe Nylons
The Nylons are an a cappella group founded in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Best known for their covers of The Turtles' "Happy Together", Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", and The Tokens' version of the traditional "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"....
in 1978–79, he left the band to appear in the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
musical Indigo before they became commercially successful.
Simpson was also a longtime host of the children's television series Polka Dot Door
Polka Dot Door
Polka Dot Door was a long-running children's television series produced and broadcast by TVOntario from 1971 until 1993. The show, which aired Monday to Friday, was set in a large playhouse...
, from 1978 until the mid-1980s. He appeared in such television series as Seeing Things, Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show, Night Visions
Night Visions
Night Visions is an American television anthology series created in the style of The Twilight Zone. Each 43 minute episode was made up of two 21 to 22 minutes stories that dealt with themes of the supernatural or simply explored the dark side of human nature. Henry Rollins was the uncredited host...
, These Arms of Mine, Robson Arms
Robson Arms
Robson Arms is a Canadian television series that began airing on CTV on June 17, 2005 and ended on June 30, 2008. Robson Arms is a co-production between Vancouver-based Omni Film Productions Limited and Halifax's Creative Atlantic Communications....
, MacGyver
MacGyver
MacGyver is an American action-adventure television series created by Lee David Zlotoff. Henry Winkler and John Rich were the executive producers. The show ran for seven seasons on ABC in the United States and various other networks abroad from 1985 to 1992. The series was filmed in Los Angeles...
and on the Canadian game show Acting Crazy
Acting Crazy
Acting Crazy is a Canadian television game show. Hosted by Wayne Cox , announced by Terry Reid and produced by Blair Murdoch, the show was shot at the CKVU-TV studios in Vancouver and originally aired on the Global Television Network in 1991...
. He also hosted a cooking show on Channel M
CHNM-TV
CHNM-DT, channel 20 , is a television station based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
called Café m and was the "Live Eye Guy" for Citytv Vancouver
CKVU-TV
CKVU-DT is a television station based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Owned by Rogers Media , it was the second station to become part of the Citytv system in Canada.-History:CKVU's history dates back to 1975, when Western Approaches Ltd...
's Breakfast Television
Breakfast Television
Breakfast Television is a Canadian morning news and entertainment program which airs on the Citytv stations . Each station produces its own local edition of Breakfast Television....
.
He was nominated for several Jessie Awards for his theatre work, winning one for his one-man show Denis Anyone? He was also involved in charitable work with AIDS organizations, and hosting local events.
He died on October 22, 2010 of a sudden brain hemorrhage, approximately two weeks before his 60th birthday.
After his passing his family set up a website in his memory at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/denissimpson/Homepage.aspx
Filmography
- The True Heroines (post-production) as Earl the Milkman
- Cold Side of the Pillow (post-production) as Father David
- Robson ArmsRobson ArmsRobson Arms is a Canadian television series that began airing on CTV on June 17, 2005 and ended on June 30, 2008. Robson Arms is a co-production between Vancouver-based Omni Film Productions Limited and Halifax's Creative Atlantic Communications....
as the Minister (1 episode, 2008)- - My Brother's Keeper (2008) TV episode as the Minister
- Flash GordonFlash Gordon (2007 TV series)Flash Gordon is an American science fiction television series that debuted on Sci Fi in the United States on August 10, 2007 and continued airing new episodes through February 8, 2008. It has also appeared on the United Kingdom Sci Fi Channel and SPACE in Canada...
(1 episode, 2007)- - Infestation (2007) TV episode
- Final Days of Planet EarthFinal Days of Planet EarthFinal Days of Planet Earth is a 2006 Science Fiction miniseries directed by Robert Lieberman and written by Roger Soffer. Starring Campbell Scott, Gil Bellows, and Daryl Hannah, the movie was produced by RHI Entertainment for Hallmark Channel....
(2006) (TV) as the Chief Administrator - Soul Food as the Priest (1 episode, 2002)
- - Let's Do It Again (2002) TV episode as the Priest
- Night VisionsNight VisionsNight Visions is an American television anthology series created in the style of The Twilight Zone. Each 43 minute episode was made up of two 21 to 22 minutes stories that dealt with themes of the supernatural or simply explored the dark side of human nature. Henry Rollins was the uncredited host...
as Bokor (1 episode, 2001)- - The Bokor (2001) TV episode as Bokor
- Get Your StuffGet Your StuffGet Your Stuff is a 2000 gay-themed drama/comedy film that in particular deals with the issue of gay foster parents, troubled children, and alcoholism.-Plot synopsis:...
(2000) as Neal - These Arms of Mine (1999) TV series as Denis Simpson (unknown episodes)
- Born Too Soon (1993) (TV) as Jeff
- And the Sea Will TellAnd the Sea Will TellAnd the Sea Will Tell is a true crime book by Vincent Bugliosi and Bruce B. Henderson. The nonfiction book, a New York Times #1 hardcover bestseller and still in print as a trade paperback, recounts a double murder on Palmyra Atoll and the subsequent arrest, trial and conviction of Duane Walker,...
(1991) (TV) as Findlay - MacGyverMacGyverMacGyver is an American action-adventure television series created by Lee David Zlotoff. Henry Winkler and John Rich were the executive producers. The show ran for seven seasons on ABC in the United States and various other networks abroad from 1985 to 1992. The series was filmed in Los Angeles...
as Ginko (1 episode, 1990)- - The Lost Amadeus (1990) TV episode as Ginko
- FlyingFlying (1986 film)Flying is 1986 drama film directed by Paul Lynch and starring Olivia d'Abo, Rita Tushingham and Keanu Reeves.-Cast:...
(1986) as Fred Stoner- aka Dream to Believe
- aka Teenage Dream (video title)
- Seeing Things as Eric (1 episode, 1986)
- - I'm Dancing with Stars in My Eyes (1986) TV episode as Eric
- The VindicatorThe VindicatorThe Vindicator, also known at times as The Youngstown Vindicator, is a daily newspaper serving Youngstown, Ohio and the Mahoning County Region as well as southern Trumbull County and northern Columbiana County. Founded in 1869, the newspaper currently has a circulation of 62,100 daily and 87,000...
(1986) as Joe Simpson- aka Frankenstein '88
- The Park Is MineThe Park Is Mine (1986 film)The Park Is Mine, is a 1986 made-for-TV movie directed by Steven Hilliard Stern,starring Tommy Lee Jones as a Vietnam War veteran. Mitch takes control of Central Park in New York City, in what many would call an act of domestic terrorism, to honor those who died and served in the Vietnam War and...
(1986) (TV) as Richie - Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show as Denis Simpson (2 episodes, 1984–1986)
- aka "The Elephant Show" (Canada: English title)
- - Marathon (1986) TV episode as Denis Simpson
- - Amusement Park (1984) TV episode as Denis Simpson
- Comedy Factory as Angelo (2 episodes, 1985)
- - Honey, It's the Mayor (1985) TV episode
- - The Columnist (1985) TV episode as Angelo
- Spasms (1983) as Abo Shaman
- aka Death Bite
- Utilities (1981) as Twinkle Toes
- aka Getting Even (Canada: English title: alternative title)
- Polka Dot DoorPolka Dot DoorPolka Dot Door was a long-running children's television series produced and broadcast by TVOntario from 1971 until 1993. The show, which aired Monday to Friday, was set in a large playhouse...
(1978–mid-80s) TV series as the Host
Theatre (selected)
- The Full Monty, Horse (Patrick Street Productions)
- "Nggrfg, director (Edmonton Fringe Festival)
- Buddy, M.C. (Adam Henderson/Persephone TheatrePersephone TheatrePersephone Theatre, is a theatre company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The theatre company was founded in 1974 by Janet and Susan Wright and named after the greek goddess Persephone. The first season performances were held at the Mendel Art Gallery, with the second season at the...
) - Urinetown, Senator Fipp/Lead (Donna Spencer/Firehall Theatre)
- Angels in America, Belize/Lead (Michael Fera/Hoars)
- Driving Miss Daisy, Hoke Coleburn/Lead (Lawrie Selligman/MTC)
- Ruthless, Sylvia St. Croix/Lead (David C. Jones/Ophidian Theatre Prod.)
- From Berlin To Broadway, Lead (Johnna Wright/Waterfront Theatre)
- I love you, You're Perfect, Now Change, Lead (Robert Metcalf/PPE)
- Wang Dang Doodle, Lead (Rick Kish/The Grand Theatre, London, Ont.)
- Daughter of the Regiment, Horentius (Michael Callaghan/Van. Opera Co.)
- Dames At Sea, Lucky/Lead (Bill Millerd/Arts Club Theatre)
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pseudolus (Bob Ainsley/Theatre London/Grand Theatre)
- To Kill a Mockingbird, Reverend Sykes (Bob Baker/Citadel Theatre)
- Master Harold & The Boys, Willie (Pacific Theatre)
- Godspell, Jesus (Allen MacInnis/PTE)
- Blowin' Growin'...Bowen, As Cast (Roy Surette/Arts Club Theatre)
- Five Guys Named Moe, 4 Eyed Moe (Bill Millerd/Arts Club Theatre)
- Angels in America, Belize (Gordon McCaul/Centaur Theatre)
- The Relapse, Worthy (Susan Cox/Vancouver Playhouse)
- Denis, Anyone?, One Man Show (Arts Club Theatre/Fringe Festival)
- When The Rains Come, Chorus (Bill Millerd/Arts Club Theatre)
- Blowin' on Bowen, Johnny Angel (Kim Selody/Arts Club Theatre)
- Star Trick - The Musical, Spork (Vancouver Theatresports League)
- Prelude To a Kiss, Taylor (Sherie Bie/Arts Club Theatre)
- Lend Me a Tenor, Bellhop (Tom Kerr/Arts Club Theatre)
- Robin Hood, Denis/Morris (David Tagouri/Citadel Theatre)
- Head A Tete, Clown with Doll (Stephen Heatley/Citadel Theatre)
- The Coloured Museum, Lead/Director (Donna Spencer/Firehall Theatre)
- Ain't Misbehavin
' , Andre (Marlene Smith/Toronto Musical Production) - Jesus Christ Superstar, Simon (Broadway)
- The Trial of Judas Iscariot, Judas (Pacific Theatre)
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (Gateway Theatre)