Dennis Day (Mouseketeer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Day
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Dennis Day as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, in 1956
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| Born |
Dennis W. Day
July 12, 1942 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
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| Disappeared | July 17, 2018 (aged 76) Phoenix, Oregon, U.S. |
| Status | Remains found |
| Body discovered | April 7, 2019 Jackson County, Oregon, U.S. |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1948–1980s |
| Spouse(s) |
Henry Ernest Caswell
(m. 2009) |
Dennis W. Day (born July 12, 1942) was an American actor, singer, and dancer. He was also a theater director. He is best known for being one of the first cast members of The Mickey Mouse Club. After his time as a child actor, he worked as a theater director. He later moved to Oregon in the 1980s.
Day was reported missing in July 2018. His remains were found several months later.
Contents
Life and Career Highlights
Becoming a Mouseketeer
Dennis Day was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. His family later moved to Downey, California. He started acting when he was six years old. After an audition with his sister, he became a Mouseketeer. This was for the first two seasons of The Mickey Mouse Club. He was part of the show from 1955 to 1957.
When he was 11, Dennis Day had a small role in a movie. It was called A Lion Is in the Streets (1953). He appeared alongside famous actor James Cagney.
Working in Theater and Fairs
After his time as a child star, Dennis Day continued to act and dance. He performed at places like La MaMa Theatre in New York. He also worked in Los Angeles.
From the 1960s to the early 1980s, Day worked for the Living History Centre. He helped create fun events like Renaissance fairs. He also worked on Dickens Christmas fairs. He played a character named Newington Butts at the Renaissance fairs. He also helped other actors learn their roles.
Life in Oregon
Dennis Day and Henry Ernest Caswell moved to Oregon in the mid-1980s. They first lived in Ashland. Later, they settled in Phoenix, where they owned a house. Henry Caswell worked for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Dennis Day made and sold wine jelly. He also worked seasonally for Harry & David.
Disappearance and Discovery
When Dennis Day Went Missing
Dennis Day was last seen on July 17, 2018. This was after Henry Caswell went to the hospital. Henry had fallen and needed care. Day reportedly left his home on foot. He told a housemate he was going to visit friends. However, his cat and dog were left behind. The dog was later found wandering by neighbors.
Neighbors became concerned when they noticed a "bad smell" in August 2018. Friends began asking for help finding him in November that year. In February 2019, his family learned he was missing. His case was then shown on the TV show Dateline NBC. In March 2019, his story was shared on The Vanished podcast.
Finding Dennis Day
Police in Phoenix searched Day's home and other places. In early April 2019, human remains were found on his property. The Oregon State Police took over the case. The remains were found under a pile of clothes.
On June 6, 2019, it was confirmed that the remains belonged to Dennis Day. The cause of his death was not announced at that time.
See also
- List of solved missing person cases
Film and TV Appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | A Lion Is in the Streets | Uncredited walk-on role | ||
| 1955–1957 | The Mickey Mouse Club | Himself | Main cast member |
Images for kids
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Dennis Day as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, in 1956
