Quick Facts
Biography
Dennis King (2 November 1897 – 21 May 1971) was an English actor and singer.
Born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, UK as Dennis Pratt, King had a stage career in both drama (including Shakespeare) and musicals. He emigrated to the USA in 1921 and went on to a successful career on the Broadway stage. Among his most notable performances was his role in the original production of Rudolf Friml's Rose-Marie, in which he introduced the songs "Rose-Marie" and "Indian Love Call"
He appeared in two musical films and played non-singing roles in two other films. He also played several roles on television. He died in New York City, 21 May 1971, aged 73.
Family
He was the father of musical theatre actor John Michael King who originated the role of Freddy Eynsford Hill in My Fair Lady . Dennis King pursued his hobby of painting later in life.
Musical theatre credits
- 1919 Monsieur Beaucaire (London production)
- 1925 Rose-Marie as Jim Kenyon (Broadway production)
- 1925 The Vagabond King as François Villon (Broadway production)
- 1928 The Three Musketeers as d'Artagnan (Broadway production)
- 1930 The Three Musketeers as d'Artagnan (London production)
- 1932 Show Boat as Gaylord Ravenal (Broadway revival)
- 1933 Command Performance (musical) as Peter Mali (London production)
- 1937 Frederika as Goethe (Broadway production)
- 1938 I Married an Angel as Count Willi Palaffi (Broadway production)
- 1951 Music in the Air as Bruno Mahler (Broadway revival)
- 1956 Shangri-La as Hugh Conway (Broadway production)
Musical film credits
- 1930 The Vagabond King
- 1930 Paramount on Parade
- 1933 Fra Diavolo (also known as The Devil's Brother), a version of Daniel Auber's Fra Diavolo – although Laurel and Hardy were the stars, King played the title role
Other film credits include
- 1944 Between Two Worlds (a remake of the 1930 film Outward Bound), as a minister
- 1959 The Miracle, as a nobleman who is one of Carroll Baker's admirers
Television credits include
- 1957 Twelfth Night (as Sir Toby Belch, on the Hallmark Hall of Fame)
- 1958 Aladdin, CBS color television special with songs by Cole Porter (presented on the DuPont Show of the Month)
- 1960 The Mikado, NBC colour television special with Groucho Marx, Stanley Holloway and Helen Traubel (presented by the Bell Telephone Hour)
- 1961 Give Us Barabbas! (as Pontius Pilate) (presented on the Hallmark Hall of Fame)