Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Before pursuing a television career Dennis has worked as a music manager, agent and concert promoter. Among his customers were 'Tom Jones' and Greg Allman. He wrote a guide for actors called "Rating the Agents". On screen he had guest roles in series like The Twilight Zone or Magnum, P.I. and many more. His longest lasting employment is as principal "Mr. Belding" for the teen show Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and its derivations.


Was a contestant on the TV game show Scrabble during the mid-eighties. He is the namesake of an annual High School Academic Bowl tournament held every Spring by the Academic Trivia Association at his Alma Mater, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Unlike other celebrities who have been similarly honored, Dennis is genuinely flattered by this distinction and has been very gracious to the UTC ATA and has even provided autographed materials that have been given away to the teams and officials at the tournament. While he has not yet been able to find the time in his busy schedule to make an appearance at the tournament, it is heavily attended and is one of the most anticipated academic competitions of the year. Grew a mustache to lose the appeal of his character Mr. Belding from "Saved by the Bell" (1989).