Dennis Wayne Day was an American actor, singer, dancer, and theater director, best known as one of the original cast members of Mickey Mouse Club.
Day was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and began his performing career at age six in commercials and films, such as the James Cagney film A Lion Is In The Streets. Dennis auditioned for the MMC with his sister Nelda. While the routine fell apart, Day impressed the casting team with his poise and command of the situation that he was hired.
As one of the first Mouseketeers hired, he modeled prospective costumes for Walt Disney, made preview appearances for network executives, and appeared in publicity photos. Despite his dancing skills, he was not placed on the Red team until late in the first season. He stated in an interview that "I didn't sing at my audition and it was a shock to them that I couldn't sing, period." Remaining on the second season, Day was featured in more routines and skits but was dropped after the season ended.
Following Mickey Mouse Club, Day continued in show business in a number of different venues. He worked for as an actor and dancer in New York City. Later, he returned to California and he taught drama and dance, directed stage musicals, wrote a dance manual, did commercials, and produced live events for public and private entities. In the late 1960s thru the mid-1980s, he was the musical director and an entertainer for the California Renaissance Pleasure Faires and the Dickens Christmas Faire. He would also appear for several Mouseketeer reunions and run a guesthouse for transient actors in San Francisco with his longtime partner Ernie Casewell. The two later settled in Oregon, leaving show business behind with Day working part-time at a Harry & David food store and, in 2009, they were married in Ashland.
In July 2018, Day left home, stating that he was going to visit friends. Remains found in his home in April of 2019 have since been positively identified as his own. His death has been deemed a homicide 5 days after his 76th birthday.
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Row two: Charley Laney, Sharon Baird, Darlene Gillespie, Jay-Jay Solari
Row three: Tommy Cole, Cheryl Holdridge, Larry Larsen, Eileen Diamond
Row four: Lonnie Burr, Margene Storey, Doreen Tracey
Back row: Jimmie Dodd, Bobby Burgess
