Dennis Cole - A Motion and Sound Video Portrait of the Actor: 1940 - 2009

This is a Motion and Sound Video Portrait, (MSVP) one of several I have created for people in show business that I have admired over the years. Dennis Cole was the quintessential virile, beefcake blond male who seemed to have it all going for him. His tan, chiseled, perfect body good looks were showcased primarily on television from the mid 1960's through most of the 1990's. But he also appeared in films, Broadway and his own musical revue. While I am by no means a biographer, I did much research to find information, photos and film clips of Dennis. His "Golden Age" seemed to be from the mid 1960's until the mid 1970's, although his visibility remained well into the 1980's. Personal demons and tragedy followed him later in life. I remember well, watching him in Brackens World in 1969 - 70. He certainly stood out from the ensemble actors in this behind the scenes back stage drama.

This video is far longer than most of my M&SVP's, but I wanted to put as much information as I could. Some of the clips are not the best quality, but they were all I came across. Photographs abound. Especially the nude poses he did for physique magazines in the late 1950's - 1960.

I had no idea he could sing as well as he did. A one minute clip at the end of the tribute demonstrates this.

There is a little bit of everything here. Hopefully not too much, dear viewer. There is a fair amount of reading as well, so be warned. Much more information may be found about Dennis Cole on Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Cole and on IMDB, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170529

MAJOR TV WORK AS A CAST MEMBER
Paradise Bay - 1965
Felony Squad - 1966 - 1969
Brackens World - 1969 - 1970
Bearcats - 1971
The Young and the Restless - 1981 - 82


SOME TV GUEST APPEARANCES
Medical Center
Barnaby Jones
The Streets of San Francisco
Threes Company
Police Story
Police Woman
Charlies Angels
The Love Boat
Fantasy Island
Love, American Style
Baywatch
The Hollywood Squares
Silk Stalkings
Murder She Wrote
Pacific Blue


STAGE
All the Girls Came Out to Play - 1972
The Tender Trap
The Boys in the Band
Lovers and Other Stranges
Run For Your Life
Out of Order
Victor/Victoria

FILM
Amateur Night - 1986
Death House (aka Zombie Death House) - 1987
Pretty Smart - 1987
Dead End City - 1988
Fatal Encounter - 1990
Lucky Number 21 - 2006

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• dennis cole
• jaclyn smith
• felony squad
• bracken's world
• bearcat
• powderkeg
• bill gazzarini
• rod taylor
• joe cole
• henry rollins

[TadnDixie1]

Dennis Cole died? I didn't know that!! What a shock. I was just watching the video and the end really surprised me, especially because I didn't see him in any of those end of year memorials. That's so sad.

[photoman219]

Yes, not quite 2 months ago as I write this. I'm hoping that even thotugh Dennis Cole didn't make many movies and the ones he did make were, well, not the greatest, Turner Classic Movies may include him in their Memoriam clips they show from time to time. He was, after all, one of the more familiar faces on TV from the mid 1960's to the late 1980's.

[starringJayMcK]

Thanks for this heartfelt and well-produced tribute to Dennis Cole. Heres some fun trivia you might enjoy. Hes visible as an extra in Palm Springs Weekend (released this year on DVD). Theres a scene where the entire cast of teens wind up at the local police precinct after a wild party at Tina Coles house. Dennis is one of the teens at the precinct. Theres a clear shot of him hunched against the wall with a surly expression on his face.

[photoman219]

Thanks very much for the info. I saw Palm Springs Weekend in the theater when it was first out. It was a great showcase for just about all the young Warner Bros. actors at the time and then some! I'll surly get the DVD. Thanks again!

[sherrynoland]

When I was a 23-yr-old, I jumped ship from my marriage while on vacation in L.A. A few weeks later working in my new job in a boutique on the Sunset Strip, staring out the window, a breathtaking blond man passed by, saw me, came in and asked me out--a perfect stranger, but I gave him my number! It was Dennis Cole. I didn't know him, but I'd never seen a more beautiful man. It was a thrilling, lovely experience and introduction to Hollywood for a small town girl. I can't believe he's gone...

[fairiegirlga]

I had no idea that he had died ! I had such a crush as a"tween" back in the day, that kid on "Dancing With The Stars" reminds me of him the blonde kid who's sister used to dance on that show, can't remember his name........

[dj99surf]

what a nice tribute to Dennis Cole.

[discovery781]

nice tribute

[clouseau186]

Was he married to jacklyn smith for a while in the 70's? How did he die? and when exactly? so sad!!!!!

[DouglasUrantia]

A complex life filled with all kinds of interesting things. I was a visitor to Mizer's AMG in the 1970s. Thank you for making this tribute. I wonder if anyone really knew the real Dennis Cole? He did seem like a nice guy overall.

[chernand58]

He always had that cool look about him. Damn he must have got a lot of women. Besides being married to Jaquelyn Smith. Funny story in the mid seventies my aunt drove a school bus in Beverly Hills. It broke down and out from his house Dennis Cole walks out and helps her until help came for her. So I always thought of him in a good way besides liking his acting. Dennis you are remembered!

[starringJayMcK]

Ricky Schroeder, yes I can see that. He always reminded me of Luke Halpin (original Flipper boy). When I saw Felony Squad for the first time I thought Theres the kid from Flipper all grown up and still acting. The 1st season of Brackens World was something wonderful. Too bad he never found a real career-defining role.

[CPFollower]

Cool vid. I hung out with him in ft lauderdale a lot...

[cluvsonj]

Thanks for this wonderful tribute to Dennis. I enjoyed him too back in the 70's on TV. I saw Dennis in person this past April 2009 at a celeb convention. DIdnt speak to him but i saw him off and on the weekend. I was shocked to learn of his death. I didnt see hardly any coverage on his death. Never heard him sing, That was cool. This video is a great way to remember him.