Biography

Richard Denning

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Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, Louis Albert Denninger Jr. was the son of a garment manufacturer who relocated and set up shop in Los Angeles when Louis Jr. was 18 months old. After finishing school, Denninger enrolled at Woodbury Business College and majored in business and accounting, graduating cum laude with a master's in business administration. But Denninger, who never liked accounting, started becoming involved in little theater groups as a hobby and was encouraged to compete in a radio contest called "Do You Want to Be an Actor?", winning a screen test at Warner Brothers. Warners wasn't interested in him because he looked too much like another well-known actor under contract, but by now he had his heart set on a movie career. Denninger was soon signed by Paramount, who insisted on changing his name (to "Richard Denning") because his real name, Denninger, sounded too much like gunman John Dillinger's. He retired and moved to Maui but was asked to play the governor in TV's Hawaii Five-O (1968). He agreed to play the governor as long as he didn't have to be in every episode. It ran for 12 years, ending in 1980. Five years later, his actress-wife Evelyn Ankers died at their up-country Maui home (cancer). "I'm very grateful for a career that wasn't spectacular, but always made a good living or filled in "in-between," Denning said of his acting days. "I have wonderful memories of it, but I don't really miss it."
- IMDb mini biography by: Tom Weaver (TomWeavr@aol.com)

Denning portrayed George Cooper, the husband of Lucille Ball, on CBS Radio's "My Favorite Husband" (1948-1951). The series was such a success that CBS executives offered Ball a TV deal with Denning, but she refused, insisting on husband Desi Arnaz as her TV husband.
During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on a submarine as Yeoman 1st Class.
After graduating from Woodbury College in Los Angeles, California, he joined his father in the garment business and worked his way up from office boy to vice president.
He had a daughter, Diana Dee Dwyer of Hawaii, with his first wife, Evelyn Ankers.
His character's name on CBS Radio's "My Favorite Husband" was changed from George Cugat to George Cooper later in 1948.

[in 1991 interview] I'm very grateful for a career that wasn't spectacular, but always made a living or filled in in-between. I have wonderful memories of it, but I don't miss it.
I never really had any trouble getting along with anybody that I worked with and I think that makes a difference. I enjoyed everything I've ever done and when I look back I really have no regrets. It was a wonderful business.

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