Louis Albert Denninger Jr. was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, to a garment manufacturer who relocated to Los Angeles when Louis Jr. was just 18 months old. Denninger's early life was marked by a desire to pursue a career in the arts, despite his parents' expectations that he would follow in his father's footsteps.
After completing his education, Denninger enrolled at Woodbury Business College, where he majored in business and accounting. However, he never found accounting to be a fulfilling pursuit, and instead turned to his true passion for acting.
Denninger's entry into the acting world was marked by a series of small roles in various theater groups. He eventually won a screen test at Warner Brothers, but was ultimately rejected due to his resemblance to another actor under contract.
Undeterred, Denninger continued to pursue his acting dreams, and was soon signed by Paramount Pictures. However, the studio insisted on changing his name to "Richard Denning" due to the similarity between his surname and that of notorious outlaw John Dillinger.
Denninger went on to have a long and successful career in Hollywood, appearing in a wide range of films and television shows. He was particularly notable for his role as the governor of Hawaii in the popular television series "Hawaii Five-O," which aired from 1968 to 1980.
After retiring from acting, Denninger moved to Maui, where he lived with his wife, actress Evelyn Ankers. Tragically, Ankers passed away from cancer in 1985.
In reflecting on his career, Denninger expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had been given, and for the chance to make a good living doing something he loved. However, he also acknowledged that he didn't miss the acting world, and was content to spend his retirement in peace and quiet on the island of Maui.
Despite the ups and downs of his career, Denninger's legacy as a talented and dedicated actor endures. He will always be remembered for his contributions to the world of entertainment, and for the joy and inspiration he brought to audiences around the world.
