Matinee Classics - John Denver Biography & Filmography

John Denver ACTOR

JOHN DENVER BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

John Denver was born on December 31st, 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico with the birth name Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. His father served in the military as an Air Force officer, therefore, like many children being raised in military families, he lived in various parts of the country.

From a young age he was given a guitar as a gift and played it throughout his childhood. After graduating from Arlington Heights High School in Texas, he relocated to California and began performing in various nightclubs to support himself.

Soon, Denver was given the chance to work with the group, The Chad Mitchell Trio whom he performed with up until 1968. Denver then felt he was ready to tackle the music industry as a solo artist.

Between 1969 up until 1975, Denver made quite a name for himself as one of the top selling country and pop recording artists. He was even awarded Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year in 1975. He recorded over 300 songs, which he composed the lyrics for 200 of them. He earned a total of twelve gold and four platinum albums with some of his more popular songs being, "Sunshine on My Shoulders", "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Rocky Mountain High" and "Calypso".

Now with a highly successful name in the music industry, Denver took on a new challenge and tried to see if he could add actor his resume. He appeared on such television movies as, "Day of the Bighorn" (1974) as the host and also played a Deputy on the series, "McCloud" (1970).

In regards to his acting, he is most remembered for when he was cast opposite actor George Burns in the highly successful comedy, "Oh, God!" (1977). His final film role was in 1997 on, "Walking Thunder" and his final live concert performance was in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Sadly soon after the release of his last acting role, John Denver was piloting his own small prop plane and on October 12th, 1997, his plane crashed in Monterey Bay, California and he passed away at the age of fifty three. His remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

He married twice throughout his lifetime, first to Annie Martell from 1967 through 1983 and they had two children together. He then wed Cassandra Delaney in 1988 and they also had one child together and remained married until 1993.

Throughout his lifetime he dedicated his free time as cofounder of the Hunger Project. He was also very involved in politics and environmental causes. He as a founder of the charitable Windstar Foundation which promoted sustainable living.

In addition to his career as a singer, writer, and actor, John Denver also published an autobiography and was also a painter when he could find the free time to pursue his interest.

In 2011, John Denver was the first inductee into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.