Denis Simpson
Dennis Anthony Leopold 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.
Early life and family
Born in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, Simpson arrived in Canada at the age of eight and moved with his family to the Toronto suburb of Scarborough at age 10. He attended Guildwood Public School and was remembered as an exceptional student and a friendly and gentle young man. His half-sister, born 1964 in Toronto, is actress Gloria Reuben. At York University, where he studied for one year, Simpson focused on music, theatre, and dance.Career
The original bass vocalist for The Nylons 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, Mr. Dressup, Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show, Night Visions, These Arms of Mine, Robson Arms, and MacGyver and on the Canadian game shows Acting Crazy and Talk About. 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 22 October 2010 of a sudden brain hemorrhage at age 59.
Filmography
- Polka Dot Door TV series as the Host
- Utilities as Twinkle Toes
- Spasms as Abo Shaman
- Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show as Denis Simpson
- * – Amusement Park TV episode as Denis Simpson
- * – Marathon TV episode as Denis Simpson
- Comedy Factory as Angelo
- * – Honey, It's the Mayor TV episode
- * – The Columnist TV episode as Angelo
- Flying as Fred Stoner
- Seeing Things as Eric
- * – I'm Dancing with Stars in My Eyes TV episode as Eric
- The Vindicator as Joe Simpson
- The Park Is Mine as Richie
- MacGyver as Ginko
- * – The Lost Amadeus TV episode as Ginko
- And the Sea Will Tell as Findlay
- Born Too Soon as Jeff
- These Arms of Mine TV series as Denis Simpson
- Get Your Stuff as Neal
- Soul Food as the Priest
- * – Let's Do It Again TV episode as the Priest
- Night Visions as Bokor
- * – The Bokor TV episode as Bokor
- Final Days of Planet Earth as the Chief Administrator
- Flash Gordon
- * – Infestation TV episode
- Robson Arms as the Minister
- * – My Brother's Keeper TV episode as the Minister
- The True Heroines as Earl the Milkman
- Cold Side of the Pillow as Father David
Theatre (selected)
The Full Monty, Horse "Nggrfg, director Buddy, M.C. Urinetown, Senator Fipp/Lead Angels in America, Belize/Lead Driving Miss Daisy, Hoke Coleburn/Lead Ruthless, Sylvia St. Croix/Lead From Berlin To Broadway, Lead I love you, You're Perfect, Now Change, Lead Wang Dang Doodle, Lead Daughter of the Regiment, Horentius Dames at Sea, Lucky/Lead A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Pseudolus To Kill a Mockingbird, Reverend Sykes Master Harold & The Boys, Willie Godspell, Jesus Blowin' Growin'...Bowen, As Cast Five Guys Named Moe, 4 Eyed Moe Angels in America, Belize The Relapse, Worthy Denis, Anyone?, One Man Show When The Rains Come, Chorus Blowin' on Bowen, Johnny Angel Star Trick – The Musical, Spork Prelude To a Kiss, Taylor Lend Me a Tenor, Bellhop Robin Hood, Denis/Morris Head A Tete, Clown with Doll The Coloured Museum, Lead/Director Ain't Misbehavin- ''Thoroughly Modern Millie''