Charles Dennisis a Canadian actor, playwright,[1]journalist, author, director, and screenwriter.
Charles Dennis | |
|---|---|
 Ulrika Vingsbo and Dennis at their wedding, December 2017 | |
| Occupation(s) | Author,playwright,filmmaker, journalist, actor, director, and screenwriter |
| Notable work | Hollywood Raj, The Magiker, Going On |
Background
editDennis is the third son of Sam and Sade Dennis. He attended Cedarvale Public School,Vaughan Road Collegiate,and University College at theUniversity of Toronto,where he graduated with aBachelor of Artsin 1968.[1]He is on the Great Alumni List for the University of Toronto. He is a member of the Playwrights/Directors Unit of The Actors Studio, and married to producer and publisher Ulrika Vingsbo-Dennis.
He was Artistic Director of the University College Players Guild from 1967 to 1968,[1]and received the McAndrew Award for his contributions to campus drama (which included his own adaptation ofJoseph Heller'sCatch-22and the Canadian premiere ofArthur Miller'sIncident at Vichy).[2]
Career
edit
Radio
editDennis made his acting debut at 8 years old in 1954 on Marjorie Purvey's radio series,Peter and the Dwarfand performed on the series for five years. He has written a number ofradio playsforBBC,andCBC,includingLeslie and Lajos(CBC) (1982),Long Time Ago(BBC) (1974), andTo an Early Grave(BBC) (1972).[3]In 2009 his play,The Alchemist of Cecil Street,starring Ron Orbach,Bryan CranstonandEd Asnerwas produced by The Famous Radio Ranch. In 2010 The Famous Radio Ranch followed up with a production of Dennis's play "Tolstoy Was Never There" starring Kevin Dunn, Ross Benjamin, Ron Orbach, Rose Abdoo, Ed Begley, Jr., John O'Hurley, Leila Birch, Kim Eveleth, Becky Bonar.Patrick Pinneyand Ethne Bliss.
Theatre
editIn 1963, Dennis made his professional stage debut at the Red Barn Theatre inJackson's Point, Ontarioplaying Dr. Einstein inArsenic and Old Laceand Simon Bliss inHay Fever.Later that year he adapted, directed and playedHolden CaulfieldinJ.D. Salinger'sThe Catcher in the Ryeat the Coach House Theatre in Toronto.[1]While attending the University of Toronto he appeared in Hart House productions of "Heartbreak House", "Ondine", and "The Devils". In 1968, he wrote and appeared in his play, "Everyone Except Mr. Fontana", at the Colonnade Theatre in Toronto.[1]In 1971, he traveled to England, where he directed theWalter Scharf-Don Black- Lionel Chetwynd musicalMaybe That's Your Problemat the Roundhouse Theatre in London.[1]
Returning to Canadian stage in 1980, he played Sidney Bruhl inDeathtrapoppositeAnna Russellat London'sGrand Theatre.[1]His play,Altman's Last Stand,was produced at theNational Arts CenterinOttawain 1982.[1]In 1985, he wrote and directed the playSignificant Othersat theBeverly Hills Playhousein Los Angeles.[1][4][5]
In 1989, he co-starred with Gwendolyn Humble in his play,Going On,directed byEdward Hardwickeat theEdinburgh Festival Fringe.[1][6][7]
In 1990, Dennis recreated the role of Alfred inGoing Onopposite Maria O'Brien at the Callboard Theatre in Los Angeles,[1][8][9]and in 1997 wrote and starred in the playSoHo Duo,directed byKenneth Welshat the West Bank Theatre in New York.[1]
In 2003, Dennis created the role of Fred Ross in theEd Begley, Jr.musicalCesar and Rubenat the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, and in 2005, playedGeorge Sandersin his playHigh Class Heel,at TheNational Arts Clubin New York.[1]
In 2011, he returned to the boards playing Gregory Wagner for the Open Fist Theater Company in their production ofRoom Serviceby Murray and Boretz, which the Los Angeles Times described as a "superb revival". Later that year he played Carlton Fitzgerald opposite Catherine Hicks in Moss Hart'sLight Up the Skyat the JRTN in Las Vegas.
In 2016, Dennis revised his playAltman's Last Stand.It was directed by Charles Haid and produced by Racquel Lehrman at the Zephyr Theater in Los Angeles with Michael Laskin as Franz Altman. The production received great critical acclaim.
In 2022, Dennis rewroteAltman's Last Standand retitled itKing Solomon's Treasure.He also added a second character, Miss Carmichael, a writer for People Magazine. Dennis played the role of Franz Altman and Stevie Jean Placek played Miss Carmichael.The play was produced by Ulrika Vingsbo and presented at the Whitefire Theatre in Sharman Oaks, California. The play was filmed during its six week run. The film had its world premiere later in the year at the Studio City Film Festival and Dennis won the award for Best Actor in a Feature Film.
Plays
edit- 2022King Solomon's Treasure(author/actor)
- 2016Altman's Last Stand(author)
- 2005,High Class Heel(author/actor)[1]
- 1997,SoHo Duo(author/actor)[1]
- 1989,Going On(author/actor)[10][11]
- 1985,Significant Others(author/director)[10][12][13]
- 1982,Altman's Last Stand(author)[1]
- 1974,Crazy Joan(book/lyrics)[1]
- 1968,Everyone Except Mr. Fontana(author/actor)[1]
Journalism
editAuthor George Anthony wrote that Charles Dennis "was a talented young hotshot who wanted to do it all: write, produce, direct, star", and that he "worked as an entertainment writer forToronto Telegram".[14]He was a film and theatre critic for them until his first play,Everyone Except Mr. Fontanapresented in 1968.[1]
In 2002, Dennis wrote three articles for the Calendar section of theLos Angeles TimesaboutIvor Novello,Phil Gersh, andJulian Fellowes.[15]In February 2010 he wrote an article on Christopher Plummer in The Hollywood Reporter.
Author
editHis first novel,Stoned Cold Soldierwas published in 1973. In 1997 (using the pseudonym Margaret Barrett), Dennis wrote the novelsGiven the CrimeandGiven the Evidence.[16]His works have received favorable response fromKirkus Reviews.His latest novel,Hollywood Raj,was published by Vingsbo Press in February 2018.
In 2022, Dennis's first non-fiction book, "There's a Body in the Window Seat", was published by Applause Books. A passion project of Dennis's, the book is a history of Arsenic and Old Lace, both the play and the movie.
In 2023, Vingsbo Press published his 14th novel, "Balm of Angels".
Bibliography
edit- 2023, "Balm of Angels" ISBN 978-0-9997683-2-7
- 2022, "There's a Body in the Window Seat" ISBN 9781493067855
- 2018, "Hollywood Raj"ISBN978-0-9997683-0-3
- 2013, "The Magiker" ISBN 978-1 -940412-02-3
- 1998,Given the EvidenceISBN0-671-00153-1
- 1998,Given the CrimeISBN0-671-00151-5
- 1987,Shar-LiISBN0-515-08974-5
- 1981,The DealmakersISBN0-440-11852-2
- 1979,BonfireISBN0-440-10659-1
- 1978,The Periwinkle AssaultISBN0-7701-0027-9
- 1977,A Divine Case of MurderISBN0-7701-0050-3
- 1975,This War Is Closed Until SpringISBN0-8600-71812
- 1975,Somebody Just Grabbed Annie!ISBN0-312-74375-0
- 1974,The Next-to-Last Train RideISBN0-312-57225-5
- 1973,Stoned Cold SoldierISBN0-86007-019-0
Television, film, and video
editIn 1969 while living in London, Dennis adapted his play, Aztecs and Orange Juice, for ATV and appeared in it opposite Derek Fowlds and Cheryl Kennedy. In 1973, he createdThames Television's firstdaytime drama,Marked PersonalstarringStephanie Beacham.[17]He wrote the Television moviesMirror, Mirrorin 1979 andThe Jayne Mansfield Storyin 1980.[18]He wrote and appeared in the 1984 filmCovergirloppositeKenneth Welsh,William HuttandAugust Schellenberg.[18]In 1984, he wrote and directed the filmReno and the DocstarringKenneth WelshandLinda Griffiths,[19]which in 1985 was nominated for fourGenie Awards.[20]Also in 1984 he co-authored a screenplay of his novelThe Next-to-Last Train Ridefor a film which was directed byRichard Lesterand released under the titleFinders Keepers.[18]Vincent CanbyinThe New York Timesdescribed it as "a genially oddball comedy of a sort not often successfully made these days."[21]
In 2004, Dennis was the voice of Rico in Disney's animated featureHome on the Range.[18][22]In 2007, Dennis wrote and directed the motion pictureHard Fourstarring Ross Benjamin,Samuel Gould,Ed Asner,Dabney Coleman,Paula Prentiss,Ed Begley, Jr.,Fayard NicholasandBryan Cranston.[18]In 2010 he wrote and directedThe Favour of Your Companystarring Carolyn Seymour, Neil Dickson and Ron Orbach, which was shown at the BAFTA/LA Short Film Showcase.
In 2011 he launched his own online interview showPaid to Dream,which can be read and heard at paidtodream.
In October, 2011 he won the first-ever Samuel Fuller Guerilla Filmmaker Award at the Buffalo International Film Festival for his short filmAtwillstarring Neil Dickson and Brent Huff. It was also an Official Selection of The Buffalo Film Festival in the same year. The film was shot entirely on an iPad and edited on iMovie.
In 2012, he began production on his first iPad feature,Chicaneryfeaturing Brent Huff, Patty McCormack, Kenneth Welsh,Kate Vernon,Fred Melamed,Elya Baskin,Rose Abdoo,Ron Orbach, Ross Benjamin, Patrick Pinney and Mark Rydell. Film was completed in 2015 and won the Innovation Award at the first Durham Region Film Festival in Oshawa, Canada.[23]
A web series based on the prize-winning filmAtwilldebuted on YouTube in 2014 with Neil Dickson returning as Atwill, and Michael Swan joining the cast as Nelson. Brent Huff returned in several episodes as Atwill's nemesis Kobalt. The first season consisted of ten episodes, and series guest stars included Patty McCormack, Rick Podell, Kim Delgado, Lou Wagner, Patrick Pinney, and Nicole Ansari.
In 2017, Atwill became a TV series calledAtwill at Largewith Dickson and Swan continuing their roles as Atwill and Nelson. Guest stars included Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Fred Melamed, and Mauricio Mendoza. It played on YouTube for five episodes.
In July 2017 he returned to Canada to shoot the filmShortly to Go,starring Colin Fox and Kenneth Welsh. The film was shot on location in Elora, Ontario and later involved shooting in Studio City, California with Patty McCormack. Written, produced and directed by Dennis, the executive producer was Ulrika Vingsbo, who was also the film's editor.
In 2018, Dennis wrote and directed the film,Barking Mad,which starred Neil Dickson, Michael Swan, Patty McCormack, Edward Asner, Loren Lester, Mary Stavin, and Fred Melamed. It was produced for Foo Dog Films by Ulrika Vingsbo. The film was shot entirely on an iPad. The movie won an award for Best Ensemble Cast at the 2021 Studio City Film Festival.
In 2022, Dennis wrote and directed the feature film "Deadly Draw", which starred Brent Huff, Ulrika Vingsbo, Jack Maxwell, Fred Melamed, Gail O'Grady, Jeffrey Byron, Patty McCormack and Ed Asner (in his final screen appearance). Ulrika Vingsbo won for Best Actress at the 2023 Vegas Film Awards and Fred Melamed won for Best Supporting Actor. The film also won for Best Comedy feature at the 2023 Tarzana International Film Festival.
Filmography
editAs writer or director
edit- Marked Personal(90 episodes, 1973–1974) (TV)
- The Thirsty Dead(1974)[24]
- Search and Rescue: The Alpha Team(1977) (TV)
- Mirror, Mirror(1979) writer[18]
- The Jayne Mansfield Story(1980) (writer)
- Double Negative(1980)[18][24]
- Svengali(1983) (TV)
- Covergirl(1984) (writer)[18][24]
- Reno and the Doc(1984) (writer/director)[24]
- Loose Ends(1984) (writer)[18]
- Finders Keepers(1984) (based on his novelThe Next-to-Last Train Ride)[18][24]
- Adderly(1 episode, 1986) (TV)
- Goose on the Loose(2006) (writer)[18]
- Hard Four(2007) (writer/director/producer)
- Butterfield(2008) (writer)
- Chicanery(2015) (writer/director/producer)
- Atwill at Large(2017) (writer/director/producer)
- Shortly to Go(2017) (writer/director/producer)
- Barking Mad(2018) (writer/director/producer)
- Deadly Draw(2023) (writer/director)
As actor
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Reno and the Doc | Delgado | [24] |
| 1984 | Covergirl | Craig Blitzstein | [18][24] |
| 1986 | Loose Ends | Lods Kukoff | |
| 1990 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Commander Sunad | Episode: "Transfigurations" |
| Grand Slam | Lieutenant Franco | Episode: "Who's Crazy?" | |
| 1991 | Princesses | Charles Hawkenberry | Episode: "The Slob Who Came to Dinner" |
| Jake and the Fatman | Guterman | Episode: "You Don't Know Me" | |
| 1993 | Relentless 3 | Detective Cirrillo | [24] |
| 1998 | Due South | Marcel | Episode: "Good for the Soul" |
| 2001 | 2001: A Space Travesty | Flashback Doctor | |
| 2002 | Star Trek: Enterprise | Chancellor Trelit | Episode: |
| 2004 | Home on the Range | Rico (voice) | [18][24] |
| 2007 | Hard Four | Pericles Kulakundis | |
| 2008 | Butterfield | Steve Butterfield | |
| 2008 | Donna on Demand | Charlie | |
| 2009-2014 | American Dad! | Michael, Carnival Barker, Captain Lefebvre, Rabbi (voice) | [25] |
| 2015 | The Donkey | Jamison Haley | |
| 2017 | Atwill at Large | Jack Tarragon | |
| 2018 | Barking Mad | Jack Tarragon | |
| 2023 | Deadly Draw | Stavros Makos |
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | Ulic Qel-Droma | [26] |
| 2003 | Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic | Davik Kang | |
| Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | Dr. Nicholas von Essen, Eddie, Bandit | [26] | |
| Brute Force | Shadoon | ||
| 2004 | Ninja Gaiden | Doku | English Dub[26] |
| Ground Control II: Operation Exodus | Major D. Grant, Unit Feedback | [26] | |
| Doom 3 | Counselor Elliot Swann | [26] | |
| The Bard's Tale | Fionnaoch | [27] | |
| Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords | Lieutenant Dol Grenn, Zherron | ||
| EverQuest II | Various characters | ||
| 2005 | Crash Tag Team Racing | Park Drone | |
| 2005 | Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction | Josef Yurinov | |
| 2009 | Red Faction: Guerrilla | Admiral Kobel | |
| 2011 | Call of Juarez: The Cartel | Baressi | [26] |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Odahviing | [26] | |
| 2013 | Star Trek | Surok |
Awards and nominations
edit- 2023 Tarzana International Film Festival Best Feature Comedy Winner "Deadly Draw"
- 2021 Studio City Film Festival Best Ensemble Cast Winner "Barking Mad"
- 2022 Studio City Film Festival Best Actor Winner "King Solomon's Treasure"
- 2017 Riverside International Film Festival Innovation in Cinema for "Chicanery"
- 2015 Innovation Award at the Durham Region Film Festival in Oshawa, Canada for "Chicanery"
- 2011 Samuel Fuller Guerilla Filmmaker Award, Buffalo International Film Festival (BIFF:Buffalo) "Atwill". Official Selection BIFF:Buffalo 2011.
- 1989 Daily Express Award Best New PlayGoing On(nominated)
- 1985 Nomination,Genie Awardfor Best Song: "A Little Piece of Forever" fromReno and the Doc[20]
- 1968 McAndrew Award University of Toronto (winner)
References
edit- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrs"Charled Dennis bio".Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^Miss Chatelaine Magazine, September 1978
- ^Bickerton, Roger."BBC Radio Plays".ukonline.co.uk.UK Online.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^Los Angeles Herald Examiner, August 14, 1985
- ^Los Angeles Times, August 28, 1985
- ^The Scotsman, August 22, 1989
- ^Daily Variety, November 8, 1990
- ^Los Angeles Times, November 16, 1990
- ^The New York Times, January 14, 1996
- ^ab"Charles Dennis".The Playwrights Database.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^Daily Express, August 21, 1999
- ^Army Archerd's column - Daily Variety, August 13, 1986
- ^The Hollywood Reporter, August 28, 1985
- ^Anthony, George (2008).Starring Brian Linehan: A Life Behind the Scenes(reprint, illustrated ed.). Random House.ISBN9780771007583.
- ^"Articles by Charles Dennis".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2009-08-10.[dead link]
- ^"books by Charles Dennis".Open Library.Retrieved2009-08-09.
- ^"Marked Personal".British Film Institute.Archived fromthe originalon 2008-10-19.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^abcdefghijklm"Charles Dennis filmography".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.2012. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-10-22.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^"Reno and the Doc".Complete Index to World Film.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^ab"Reno and the Doc award details".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.2012. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-10-22.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^Canby, Vincent (May 18, 1984)."FILM: 'FINDERS KEEPERS,' COMEDY DIRECTED BY RICHARD LESTER".The New York Times.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^Mitchell, Elvis (April 2, 2004)."FILM REVIEW; A Western With Watercolor Vistas and a Passel of Parody".The New York Times.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^"Director Charles Dennis Talks About Making His Film CHICANERY & Accepts Innovation Award - FILMbutton - Festival & Film Info".30 September 2015.
- ^abcdefghi"Charles Dennis".TVGuide.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^"American Dad credits".The New York Times.Retrieved2009-08-10.
- ^abcdefg"Charles Dennis (visual voices guide)".Behind the Voice Actors.RetrievedFebruary 9,2020.
- ^InXile Entertainment.The Bard's Tale.InXile Entertainment. Scene: Ending credits, 2:10:15 in, More Great Talent.