Denis Simpson (born Dennis Anthony Leopold Simpson; 4 November 1950 – 22 October 2010)"Denis Simpson lived to entertain"
''

Toronto Star The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. The newspaper is the country's largest daily newspaper by circulation. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and pa ...

'', 22 October 2010. was a Canadian actor and singer best known as a host of the TV series ''

Polka Dot Door Polka is a dance and genre of dance music originating in nineteenth-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Though associated with Czech culture, polka is popular throughout Europe and the Americas. History Etymology The term ...

''. He was also an original member of the singing group

The Nylons The Nylons are an a cappella group founded in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, best known for their covers of pop songs such as The Turtles' " Happy Together", Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", and The Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight ...

Early life and family

Born in St. Ann's Bay,

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

, Simpson arrived in Canada at the age of eight and moved with his family to

Scarborough Scarborough or Scarboro may refer to: People * Scarborough (surname) * Earl of Scarbrough Places Australia * Scarborough, Western Australia, suburb of Perth * Scarborough, New South Wales, suburb of Wollongong * Scarborough, Queensland, su ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...

, 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 Gloria Elizabeth Reuben is a Canadian-American actress, producer, and singer. She is well-known for her role as Jeanie Boulet on the medical drama '' ER'' (1995–1999, 2008), for which she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award, and for portray ...

. At

York University York University (french: Université York), also known as YorkU or simply YU, is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's fourth-largest university, and it has approximately 55,700 students, 7,0 ...

, where he studied for one year, Simpson focused on music, theatre, and dance.

Career

The original bass vocalist for

in 1978–79, he left the band to appear in the

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

musical ''Indigo'' before they became commercially successful. Simpson was also a longtime host of the children's television series ''

'' from 1978 until the mid 1980s. He appeared in such television series as '' Seeing Things'', ''

Mr. Dressup ''Mr. Dressup'' is a Canadian children's television series, starring Ernie Coombs, a former understudy of Fred Rogers, in the title role. It originally ran on CBC from 1967 to 1996, soon becoming an iconic presence in Canadian media. Producti ...

'', ''

Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show ''The Elephant Show'' (from the second season onward, ''Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show'') is a Canadian preschool television show. The series premiered on CBC on October 8, 1984, and ended on February 26, 1989, after 65 episodes over five s ...

'', ''

Night Visions ''Night Visions'' is the debut studio album by American pop rock band Imagine Dragons. It was released on September 4, 2012, through Kidinakorner and Interscope Records. The album was primarily produced by the band themselves, as well as Eng ...

'', '' These Arms of Mine'', ''

Robson Arms ''Robson Arms'' is a Canadian television series that began airing on CTV on June 17, 2005 and ended on June 30, 2008. ''Robson Arms'' is a co-production between Vancouver-based Omni Film Productions Limited and Halifax's Creative Atlantic Commu ...

'', and ''

MacGyver Angus "Mac" MacGyver is the title character and the protagonist in the TV series ''MacGyver''. He is played by Richard Dean Anderson in the 1985 original series. Lucas Till portrays a younger version of MacGyver in the 2016 reboot. In both p ...

'' 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 Breakfast television (Europe, Canada, and Australia) or morning show (United States) is a type of news or infotainment television programme that broadcasts live in the morning (typically scheduled between 5:00 and 10:00a.m., or if it is a ...

''. 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.

Filmography

*''

'' (1978–mid-80s) TV series as the Host *''Utilities'' (1981) as Twinkle Toes *''Spasms'' (1983) as Abo Shaman *''

'' as Denis Simpson (2 episodes, 1984–1986) ** - Amusement Park (1984) TV episode as Denis Simpson ** - Marathon (1986) TV episode as Denis Simpson *''Comedy Factory'' as Angelo (2 episodes, 1985) ** - Honey, It's the Mayor (1985) TV episode ** - The Columnist (1985) TV episode as Angelo *'' Flying'' (1986) as Fred Stoner *'' Seeing Things'' as Eric (1 episode, 1986) ** - I'm Dancing with Stars in My Eyes (1986) TV episode as Eric *''

The Vindicator ''The Vindicator'' is a daily newspaper serving Youngstown, Ohio, United States and the Mahoning County region as well as southern Trumbull County and northern Columbiana County. ''The Vindicator'' was established in 1869. As of September 1, 2 ...

'' (1986) as Joe Simpson *'' The Park Is Mine'' (1986) (TV) as Richie *''

'' as Ginko (1 episode, 1990) ** - The Lost Amadeus (1990) TV episode as Ginko *''

And the Sea Will Tell ''And the Sea Will Tell'' is a true crime book by Vincent Bugliosi and Bruce Henderson. The nonfiction book recounts an apparent double murder on Palmyra Atoll although only one body was ever found; the subsequent arrest, trial, and conviction o ...

'' (1991) (TV) as Findlay *''Born Too Soon'' (1993) (TV) as Jeff *'' These Arms of Mine'' (1999) TV series as Denis Simpson (unknown episodes) *'' Get Your Stuff'' (2000) as Neal *''

Soul Food Soul food is an ethnic cuisine traditionally prepared and eaten by African Americans, originating in the Southern United States.Soul Food originated with the foods that were given to enslaved Black people by their white owners on Souther ...

'' as the Priest (1 episode, 2002) ** - Let's Do It Again (2002) TV episode as the Priest *''

'' as Bokor (1 episode, 2001) ** - The Bokor (2001) TV episode as Bokor *''

Final Days of Planet Earth ''Final Days of Planet Earth'' is a 2006 science fiction miniseries directed by Robert Lieberman and written by Roger Soffer. Starring Campbell Scott, Gil Bellows, and Daryl Hannah, the movie was produced by RHI Entertainment for the Hallmark Ch ...

'' (2006) (TV) as the Chief Administrator *'' Flash Gordon'' (1 episode, 2007) ** - Infestation (2007) TV episode *''

'' as the Minister (1 episode, 2008) ** - My Brother's Keeper (2008) TV episode as the Minister *''The True Heroines'' (2011) as Earl the Milkman *''Cold Side of the Pillow'' (2017) as Father David

Theatre (selected)

* ''The Full Monty'', Horse (Patrick Street Productions) * ''"Nggrfg'', director (Edmonton Fringe Festival) * ''Buddy, M.C.'' (Adam Henderson/ Persephone Theatre) * ''Urinetown'', Senator Fipp/Lead (Donna Spencer/Firehall Theatre) * ''Angels in America'', Belize/Lead (Michael Fera/Hoars) * ''Driving Miss Daisy'', Hoke Coleburn/Lead (Lawrie Selligman/MTC) * ''Ruthless'', Sylvia St. Croix/Lead (David C. Jones/Ophidian Theatre Prod.) * ''From Berlin To Broadway'', Lead (Johnna Wright/Waterfront Theatre) * ''I love you, You're Perfect, Now Change'', Lead (Robert Metcalf/PPE) * ''Wang Dang Doodle'', Lead (Rick Kish/The Grand Theatre, London, Ont.) * ''Daughter of the Regiment'', Horentius (Michael Callaghan/Van. Opera Co.) * ''Dames at Sea'', Lucky/Lead (Bill Millerd/ Arts Club Theatre) * ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'', Pseudolus (Bob Ainsley/Theatre London/Grand Theatre) * ''To Kill a Mockingbird'', Reverend Sykes (Bob Baker/Citadel Theatre) * ''Master Harold & The Boys'', Willie (Pacific Theatre) * ''Godspell'', Jesus (Allen MacInnis/PTE) * ''Blowin' Growin'...Bowen'', As Cast (Roy Surette/Arts Club Theatre) * ''Five Guys Named Moe, 4 Eyed Moe'' (Bill Millerd/Arts Club Theatre) * ''Angels in America, Belize'' (Gordon McCaul/Centaur Theatre) * ''The Relapse, Worthy'' (Susan Cox/ Vancouver Playhouse) * ''Denis, Anyone?'', One Man Show (Arts Club Theatre/Fringe Festival) * ''When The Rains Come'', Chorus (Bill Millerd/Arts Club Theatre) * ''Blowin' on Bowen'', Johnny Angel (Kim Selody/Arts Club Theatre) * ''Star Trick - The Musical'', Spork (Vancouver Theatresports League) * ''Prelude To a Kiss'', Taylor (Sherie Bie/Arts Club Theatre) * ''Lend Me a Tenor'', Bellhop (Tom Kerr/Arts Club Theatre) * ''Robin Hood'', Denis/Morris (David Tagouri/Citadel Theatre) * ''Head A Tete, Clown with Doll'' (Stephen Heatley/Citadel Theatre) * ''The Coloured Museum'', Lead/Director (Donna Spencer/Firehall Theatre) * ''Ain't Misbehavin''', Andre (Marlene Smith/Toronto Musical Production) * ''Jesus Christ Superstar'', Simon (Broadway) * ''The Last Days of Judas Iscariot'', Pontius Pilate (Pacific Theatre) * ''Thoroughly Modern Millie'' (Gateway Theatre)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Denis 1950 births 2010 deaths Male actors from Toronto Black Canadian male actors 20th-century Black Canadian male singers Canadian children's television personalities Canadian male musical theatre actors Canadian male television actors Canadian gay actors Emigrants from British Jamaica to Canada Canadian LGBT singers Musicians from Toronto Canadian gay musicians People from Saint Ann Parish The Nylons members Black Canadian LGBT people 20th-century LGBT people 21st-century LGBT people