Dennis King facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis King
|
|
|---|---|
King circa 1927
|
|
| Born |
Dennis Pratt
2 November 1897 Coventry, Warwickshire, England, UK
|
| Died | 21 May 1971 (aged 73) New York City, US
|
| Years active | 1919–1969 |
| Spouse(s) | Edith Wright (?–1963) (her death) |
| Children | John Michael King Dennis King Jr. (1921–1986) |
Dennis King (born Dennis Pratt on November 2, 1897) was a talented English actor and singer. He became famous for his roles in plays and musicals, both in London and on Broadway in the United States. He also appeared in movies and was one of the first big actors to work a lot in television.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Dennis King was born on November 2, 1897. His birthplace was either Coventry or Birmingham, England. His parents were John and Elizabeth King Pratt. He decided to use his mother's maiden name, King, for his acting career. Dennis had one sister and three brothers. He once said his family was "very poor."
When he was 14, Dennis started working at the Birmingham Repertory Theater. He was a "call boy," which meant he would call actors to the stage when it was their turn. He first performed on stage when he was 16 years old. During World War I, he served in the Oxford Bucks Infantry. He was hurt in battle and spent a night in a muddy shell hole. Later, doctors helped him recover from his injuries. After leaving the army, he went back to London.
A Star on Stage
Dennis King had a very successful career as an actor and singer. He performed in both serious plays, like those by William Shakespeare, and exciting musicals. In 1921, he moved to the United States. There, he became a big star on the Broadway stage.
One of his most famous roles was in the musical Rose-Marie. In this show, he sang the popular songs "Rose-Marie" and "Indian Love Call." He also won awards for his role as Captain Fairfax in the play Billy Budd in 1951.
Dennis King started his career in London in 1919. His Broadway debut was in 1921. At first, he focused on drama. But then, a famous writer named Oscar Hammerstein heard him singing. Hammerstein convinced Dennis to try out for the main role in Rose-Marie. His success in that musical led him to many other musical comedy shows.
Movies and Television
Dennis King also appeared in several films. He starred in two musical movies, including The Vagabond King. He also played non-singing roles in other films.
He was one of the first major actors to work a lot in television. From late 1948 to early 1949, he appeared in six full-length TV dramas. He also performed in many TV musical productions. These included Knickerbocker Holiday (1950), Babes in Toyland (1950), Jack and the Beanstalk (1956), Aladdin (1958), and The Mikado (1960).
Personal Life
Dennis King became a citizen of the United States in 1953. In 1965, he became the president of The Players, a famous club for actors in New York City.
He was married to an actress named Edith Wright. They had two sons. One son, Dennis King Jr., and the other, John Michael King, also became a musical theater actor. John Michael King was the first actor to play Freddy Eynsford Hill in the famous musical My Fair Lady. Later in his life, Dennis King enjoyed painting as a hobby.
Dennis King passed away from heart disease in New York City on May 21, 1971. He was 73 years old.
Notable Stage Musicals
- 1925: Rose-Marie as Jim Kenyon (Broadway)
- 1925: The Vagabond King as François Villon (Broadway)
- 1928: The Three Musketeers as d'Artagnan (Broadway)
- 1932: Show Boat as Gaylord Ravenal (Broadway revival)
- 1938: I Married an Angel as Count Willi Palaffi (Broadway)
Film Appearances
- 1930: The Vagabond King as François Villon
- 1933: Fra Diavolo as Fra Diavolo / Marquis de San Marco
- 1944: Between Two Worlds as a minister
- 1959: The Miracle as a nobleman
- 1969: Some Kind of a Nut as Otis Havemeyer (his last film role)
Television Shows
- 1957: Twelfth Night as Sir Toby Belch (on Hallmark Hall of Fame)
- 1958: Aladdin (a CBS special with songs by Cole Porter)
- 1960: The Mikado (an NBC special with Groucho Marx)
- 1961: Give Us Barabbas! as Pontius Pilate (on Hallmark Hall of Fame)
