Editing Denny Miller

{{disline|For other people with the same last name, see: [[Miller]].}}
{{Cast Data
| image= Denny Miller.jpg
| character= [[Ser 5-9]]
| series=TOS
| born_month= 04
| born_day= 25
| born_year= 1934
| death_month= 09
| death_day= 09
| death_year= 2014
| nationality= US
| site=http://www.denny-miller.com
| site archive= Y
| imdb= 0588225
| sortkey=Miller, Denny
}}

'''Dennis Linn "Denny" Miller''' (April 25, 1934 – September 9, 2014) was an American actor and writer who portrayed the humanoid Cylon [[Ser 5-9]] in the ''[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' two-part episode "[[The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero]]."<ref group="external" name="imdb_gun_ice_planet_cast">{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0519737/fullcredits/#:~:text=Denny%20Miller,Ser%205-9|title=Battlestar Galactica: The Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Part I (1978) - Full Cast & Crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> Born in Bloomington, Indiana, the 6-foot-4-inch actor became best known for his regular role as Duke Shannon on the television western ''[[w:Wagon Train|Wagon Train]]'' (1961–1964), his portrayal of the first blond Tarzan in the 1959 film ''[[w:Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959 film)|Tarzan, the Ape Man]]'', and his memorable supporting role in [[w:Blake Edwards|Blake Edwards]]' 1968 comedy ''[[w:The Party (1968 film)|The Party]]''.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_miller_obit">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/denny-miller-dead-tarzan-wagon-732535/#:~:text=Denny%20Miller%2C%20who%20played%20scout,Lou%20Gehrig's%20disease%20in%20January|title=Denny Miller Dead: 'Tarzan,' 'Wagon Train' Star Dies at 80|author=Hayden, Erik; Weprin, Alex; Cho, Winston; Huston, Caitlin; Porter, Rick; Szalai, Georg; Maglio, Tony; Vlessing, Etan; Zeitchik, Steven|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=18 September 2014|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Early Discovery and Film Debut ===

Miller's path to Hollywood began at the [[w:University of California, Los Angeles|University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA), where he played basketball for the legendary coach [[w:John Wooden|John Wooden]].<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_miller_bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/denny-miller#:~:text=The%20athletic%206-foot-4,a%20basketball%20or%20football%20coach|title=Denny Miller Biography|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> Miller received a full-ride scholarship to UCLA alongside his brother Kent after attracting Wooden's attention at University High School in Los Angeles.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0588225/#:~:text=Dennis%20Linn%20%22Denny%22%20Miller,father%20joined%20the%20faculty%20of|title=Denny Miller Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> Their father, Ben Miller, was a physical education instructor at [[w:Indiana University|Indiana University]] and later joined the UCLA faculty.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/>

During his senior year, Miller worked as a furniture mover to help pay for his education.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/> In a fateful encounter on Sunset Boulevard, a talent agent discovered him while he was working a furniture moving job and signed him to a contract with [[w:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM).<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_miller_bio"/> His screen test was directed by the renowned filmmaker [[w:George Cukor|George Cukor]].<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_miller_bio"/> Miller's first role was an uncredited bit part in the [[w:Frank Sinatra|Frank Sinatra]] drama ''[[w:Some Came Running (film)|Some Came Running]]'' (1958), filmed in Madison, Indiana.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/> Miller later recalled his small part with humor: "I was the only one who came running. I came running to tell Dean Martin that somebody was in town to shoot him!"<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/>

=== Tarzan and Early Career ===

In 1959, Miller became the first blond actor to portray [[w:Tarzan|Tarzan]] in MGM's low-budget remake of ''Tarzan, the Ape Man''.<ref group="external" name="deadline_miller_obit">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/denny-miller-dead-tarzan-wagon-train-actor-833896/#:~:text=After%20a%20playing%20basketball,the%20one%20I%20did%20was|title=R.I.P. Denny Miller, 'Wagon Train' & 'Tarzan' Actor|publisher=Deadline|date=6 September 2019|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> The film, which lifted most of its footage from earlier [[w:Johnny Weissmuller|Johnny Weissmuller]] ''Tarzan'' movies, was originally envisioned as part of a trilogy.<ref group="external" name="deadline_miller_obit"/> However, Miller himself acknowledged in a 2007 interview with the ''Las Vegas Journal-Review'' that the production was unsuccessful, joking that "the one I did was so bad they didn't do the other two."<ref group="external" name="deadline_miller_obit"/> Miller had been recommended for the role by actor [[w:William Smith (actor)|William Smith]], who was also considered for the part and would later star in the NBC western series ''[[w:Laredo (TV series)|Laredo]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/> MGM had Miller under contract for 20 months, during which he actually worked only eight weeks as Tarzan.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/>

Despite the film's critical failure, Miller's career gained momentum. He appeared in numerous television westerns during the early 1960s, including guest spots on ''[[w:Northwest Passage (TV series)|Northwest Passage]]'', ''[[w:Overland Trail|Overland Trail]]'', ''[[w:Laramie (TV series)|Laramie]]'' (where the 26-year-old Miller appeared as Wilkie, the son of a powerful rancher, in the "License to Kill" episode), ''[[w:Have Gun – Will Travel|Have Gun – Will Travel]]'', and ''[[w:The Rifleman|The Rifleman]]'' (as a dimwitted gunfighter named Reuben Miles).<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/>

=== ''Wagon Train'' and Television Success ===

In 1961, Miller landed his most prominent television role as Duke Shannon, the young scout on ''Wagon Train''.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_miller_bio"/> He appeared in more than 100 episodes of the popular western series from 1961 to 1964.<ref group="external" name="deadline_miller_obit"/> During his tenure on the show, his billing evolved from Denny Miller to Denny Scott Miller and finally to Scott Miller, a progression he later chronicled with humor in his 2004 autobiography ''Didn't You Used to Be What's His Name?''<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit">{{cite web|url=https://neon.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/denny-miller-who-played-tarzan-dies-in-las-vegas/#:~:text=Fans%20of%20TV%20Westerns,to%20Be%20What's%20His|title=Denny Miller, who played Tarzan, dies in Las Vegas|author=Cling, Carol|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=23 February 2017|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref>

Following ''Wagon Train'''s cancellation in 1965, Miller starred opposite [[w:Juliet Prowse|Juliet Prowse]] in the [[w:NBC|NBC]] sitcom ''[[w:Mona McCluskey|Mona McCluskey]]'' (1965–1966), playing military officer Mike McCluskey.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/> In the story line, Mike insisted that Mona live on his military salary rather than her earnings as an actress.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/>

=== ''The Party'' ===

Miller considered his role as "Wyoming" Bill Kelso in Blake Edwards' 1968 comedy ''The Party'' to be the part he most enjoyed during his career.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/> The film, which starred [[w:Peter Sellers|Peter Sellers]], employed an improvisational approach with a script that was only 63 pages long—less than half the normal length for its running time.<ref group="commentary" name="party_film_production">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Party_(1968_film)#:~:text=The%20film%20started%20shooting,they%20knew%20it%20was|title=The Party (1968 film) - Production|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=12 January 2026|archive=Y}}</ref> Edwards ran video cameras simultaneously with the main film cameras to capture the improvised performances, allowing actors to develop their characters spontaneously—an innovative technique for its time.<ref group="commentary" name="party_film_production"/>

Cast and crew members described the production as exceptionally enjoyable. Miller himself called the experience "heaven," noting that cast and crew members not even involved in shooting certain scenes would stay on set just to watch the filming because they sensed they were creating something special.<ref group="commentary" name="party_film_production"/> In the film, Miller's character—a towering western movie star—becomes charmed by Sellers' portrayal of Hrundi V. Bakshi, the bumbling Indian actor who accidentally gets invited to a lavish Hollywood party.<ref group="commentary" name="nathan_rabin_party_review">{{cite web|url=https://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2022/10/19/blake-edwards-1968-slapstick-masterpiece-the-party-is-an-utter-delight-with-one-huge-problem-in-its-unfortunate-use-of-brownface#:~:text=The%20fish%20out%20of,through%20effusive%20flattery%20and%20fandom|title=Blake Edwards' 1968 Slapstick Masterpiece The Party is an Utter Delight with One HUGE Problem|author=Rabin, Nathan|publisher=Nathan Rabin's Happy Place|date=1 November 2022|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref>

=== Guest Appearances and Later Career ===

Miller appeared in over 200 television episodes throughout his career, working on many of the most popular series from the 1960s through the 1990s.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_miller_memorial">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135751980/denny-miller#:~:text=Over%20the%20next%20several,and%20'Quincy%20M.E.'|title=Denny Miller (1934-2014)|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> His science fiction and fantasy credits included ''[[w:Voyagers!|Voyagers!]]'' (1982), ''Battlestar Galactica'' (1978), ''[[w:Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)|Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]'', and the original miniseries version of ''[[w:V (1983 miniseries)|V]]''.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_miller_memorial"/>

He memorably appeared in two separate episodes of ''[[w:Gilligan's Island|Gilligan's Island]]'': first as surfer Duke Williams (who washed ashore after a tsunami) in "Big Man on Little Stick," and later as Tongo the Ape Man in "Our Vines Have Tender Apes."<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_miller_obit"/> Both character names referenced his two most famous roles—Duke Shannon from ''Wagon Train'' and his portrayal of Tarzan.<ref group="external" name="deadline_miller_obit"/> His other notable guest appearances included ''[[w:Gunsmoke|Gunsmoke]]'', ''[[w:The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', ''[[w:The High Chaparral|The High Chaparral]]'', ''[[w:Hawaii Five-O|Hawaii Five-O]]'', ''[[w:I Dream of Jeannie|I Dream of Jeannie]]'', ''[[w:The Brady Bunch|The Brady Bunch]]'' (as Carol Brady's egomaniacal high-school boyfriend Tank Gates in "Quarterback Sneak"), ''[[w:The Six Million Dollar Man|The Six Million Dollar Man]]'', ''[[w:Quincy, M.E.|Quincy, M.E.]]'', ''[[w:The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', ''[[w:M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'', ''[[w:The Rockford Files|The Rockford Files]]'', ''[[w:Charlie's Angels|Charlie's Angels]]'', ''[[w:Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'', ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', and ''[[w:Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman|Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]''.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_miller_memorial"/>

His film work included roles in ''[[w:Love in a Goldfish Bowl|Love in a Goldfish Bowl]]'' (1961), ''[[w:The Party (1968 film)|The Party]]'' (1968), ''[[w:Making It (1971 film)|Making It]]'' (1971), ''[[w:Doomsday Machine (film)|Doomsday Machine]]'' (1972), ''[[w:Buck and the Preacher|Buck and the Preacher]]'' (1972), ''[[w:The Gravy Train (film)|The Gravy Train]]'' (1974), ''[[w:The Island at the Top of the World|The Island at the Top of the World]]'' (1974), ''[[w:The Norseman (film)|The Norseman]]'' (1978), ''[[w:Caboblanco|Caboblanco]]'' (1980), and ''[[w:Circle of Power|Circle of Power]]'' (1981).<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/>

=== Commercial Work ===

For 14 years, Miller served as the face of [[w:Gorton's of Gloucester|Gorton's]] seafood, appearing in numerous television commercials as the iconic Gorton's Fisherman in his distinctive yellow rain slicker.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_miller_obit"/> Miller had previously spent 10 years as the spokesperson for Brawny paper towels.<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/> When Gorton's hired Miller, the company's packaging featured a clean-shaven fisherman, but this changed when Miller declined to shave his beard for the role—the company subsequently altered the fisherman's image on their labels to resemble Miller.<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/> Following Miller's death, the company's chief operating officer told his widow Nancy that Miller had been "the best fisherman they'd ever had."<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/>

== Personal Life ==

Miller earned his Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA in 1966.<ref group="external" name="encyclopedia_miller_biography">{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/miller-denny-1934#:~:text=Born%20April%2025%2C%201934,Los%20Angeles%2C%20B.S.%2C%201966|title=Miller, Denny 1934-|publisher=Encyclopedia.com|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> Miller's teammates at UCLA included [[w:Willie Naulls|Willie Naulls]] and [[w:Rafer Johnson|Rafer Johnson]], the famous decathlete.<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_wooden_tribute">{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ron-kantowski/las-vegas-actor-recalls-days-with-wooden/#:~:text=Denny%20Miller's%20UCLA%20teammates,famous%20dec|title=Las Vegas actor recalls days with Wooden|author=Kantowski, Ron|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=28 February 2017|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> When Miller left the Bruins during his senior year to pursue his acting career and become Tarzan, his roster spot was taken by [[w:Denny Crum|Denny Crum]], who would later become a legendary basketball coach.<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_wooden_tribute"/>

Miller was married to his second wife, Nancy, with whom he resided in Las Vegas, Nevada for the final years of his life.<ref group="external" name="imdb_news_miller_death">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni57743494/#:~:text=Miller%20spent%20his%20later,his%20second%20wife%20Nancy|title=Tarzan actor Denny Miller dies, aged 80|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> He had previously been married to Kit Smythe, who played Ginger in the unaired pilot of ''Gilligan's Island''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_miller_biography"/>

In Las Vegas, Miller was devoted to physical fitness and maintained a weight room in his garage bearing the sign "Miller's Body Shop."<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/> He also taught classes in relaxation techniques.<ref group="external" name="kids_kiddle_miller_bio">{{cite web|url=https://kids.kiddle.co/Denny_Miller#:~:text=Denny%20lived%20in%20Las,to%20Be...What's%20His%20Name|title=Denny Miller facts for kids|publisher=Kids Kiddle|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> Miller moved to Southern Nevada with his wife Nancy approximately nine years before his death and used Tarzan's famous ululating yell on his answering machine.<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_wooden_tribute"/>

Miller wrote two books later in life. His 2004 autobiography, ''Didn't You Used to Be What's His Name?'', chronicled his career as a character actor and reflected on his experiences in Hollywood.<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/> Miller described his writing influences as including [[w:James Thurber|James Thurber]] (especially his book ''[[w:The 13 Clocks|The 13 Clocks]]''), [[w:Dave Barry|Dave Barry]], Coach John Wooden, [[w:Benjamin Hoff|Benjamin Hoff]]'s ''[[w:The Tao of Pooh|The Tao of Pooh]]'', [[w:Robert Fulghum|Robert Fulghum]], and [[w:J.K. Rowling|J.K. Rowling]].<ref group="external" name="encyclopedia_miller_biography"/> In 2006, he published ''Toxic Waist? Get to Know Sweat!'', illustrated by Mike Royer, which focused on America's obesity epidemic and promoted physical fitness.<ref group="external" name="encyclopedia_miller_biography"/> Miller offered advice to aspiring writers: "Don't wait till you are seventy-one like I did. Get on with it."<ref group="external" name="encyclopedia_miller_biography"/>

Miller was a regular fixture at fan conventions and book festivals, where he enjoyed signing autographs, posing for photographs, and discussing his past roles, including his time as Tarzan.<ref group="external" name="uofl_miller_tribute">{{cite web|url=https://uofllibraries.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/denny-miller-a-tribute/#:~:text=Later%20in%20life%2C%20Denny,talk%20about%20his%20past|title=Denny Miller: A Tribute|author=Owen, Chad|publisher=University of Louisville Libraries News|date=15 September 2014|accessdate=12 January 2026}}</ref> He maintained close friendships within the Edgar Rice Burroughs fan community and, along with his wife Nancy, was a frequent visitor to the Edgar Rice Burroughs Collections at the University of Louisville, where he counted Curator Emeritus George McWhorter among his closest friends.<ref group="external" name="uofl_miller_tribute"/> Miller was a panelist at the Clark County Library's Spring Fling book fair in 2013 but stopped attending festivals in September 2013, preferring to keep his illness private.<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/>

Miller was diagnosed with [[w:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis|amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]] (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in January 2014.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_miller_obit"/> The diagnosis was a cruel irony for an actor and former athlete devoted to physical fitness. However, according to his wife Nancy, medical professionals who treated him remarked that he was "the strongest ALS patient they'd ever had."<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/> Nancy Miller noted that even two years before his death, "he still looked like he was 50."<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/> Miller died at his Las Vegas home on September 9, 2014, at the age of 80.<ref group="external" name="hollywoodreporter_miller_obit"/> His wife Nancy stated that following his diagnosis, "He maintained his dignity and grace" and "we tried to make every minute count."<ref group="external" name="reviewjournal_miller_obit"/>

== References ==

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

=== Commentary and Interviews ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}

== External Links ==

* [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135751980/denny-miller Denny Miller] at Find a Grave
* [http://www.myspace.com/dennyscottmiller Denny Miller's Official MySpace Page]

[[de:Denny Miller]]