Denis Simpson

Denis Simpson
Born Dennis Anthony Leopold Simpson[1]
(1950-11-04)4 November 1950
St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica
Died 22 October 2010(2010-10-22) (aged 59)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Other names Dennis Simpson
Occupation Actor
Years active 1971–2010

Denis Simpson (born Dennis Anthony Leopold Simpson in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, 4 November 1950, died 22 October 2010)[2] 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 Jamaica, Simpson arrived in Canada at the age of 8 and moved with his family to Scarborough, Ontario, 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, is actress Gloria Reuben. At York University, where he studied for one year, Simpson focused on music, theatre, and dance.[1]

Career

The original bass vocalist for The Nylons in 1978–79,[3] 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, 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.[1]

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, approximately two weeks before his 60th birthday.[2]

Filmography

Theatre (selected)

References

  1. 1 2 3 Csillag, Ron (9 November 2010). "Multitalented entertainer best known as a co-host of Polka Dot Door", The Globe and Mail, p. S8.
  2. 1 2 "Denis Simpson lived to entertain". Toronto Star, 22 October 2010.
  3. ↑ Bush, John. "Biography: The Nylons". AMG. Retrieved 7 May 2010.

External links

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