James Denton

Photo of James Denton

Biography

A native of Tennessee, Denton cut his acting teeth in the theaters of Chicago before relocating to California to pursue work in film and television. By the mid-1990s, he was picking up bit parts in several TV series, eventually landing a meatier recurring role as a villain on "The Pretender" (NBC, 1996-2000). Denton also began appearing in films, making his feature debut opposite Bette Midler in the Carl Reiner comedy "That Old Feeling" …
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Job Title

Actor

Born

January 20, 1963

Career Milestones

Will star opposite Chris Kattan as cowboys in the indie zombie comedy "Wanted: Undead or Alive"

2004

Cast as sexy plumber 'Mike Delfino' on the ABC Drama "Desperate Housewives"

2003

Headed up the cast of the ABC series "Threat Matrix", as Special Agent John Kilmer

2001

Cast opposite Kim Delaney in Steven Bochco's short-lived series "Philly" (ABC)

2001

Reprised the role of 'Mr. Lyle' in the TV movies "Pretender 2001" and "Pretender: The Island Of The Haunted," which aired on TNT after NBC cancelled the show

2000

Had guest starring roles on "Two Guys and a Girl," "Ally McBeal" and the "West Wing"

1999

Starred as the mild-mannered 'Steven' in the play, "In Walked Monk"

1997

Landed the role of the eerily sociopathic 'Mr. Lyle' on the NBC series "The Pretender"

Appeared in "That Old Feeling"(1997), "Face/Off"(1997) and "Primary Colors"(1998) in quick succession

1996

Received guest roles on "Sliders" (Fox) and "Dark Skies" (NBC)

Portrayed Kentucky preacher 'C.C. Showers' in the Chicago production of "The Diviners," which gained him a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for a Best Actor (Chicago's only theater award)

Was a company member at The Griffin Theater and at Strawdog Theater Ensemble

Played 'Stanley' in the Chicago production of "A Streetcar Named Desire"

Moved to Chicago to try acting full-time

Spent the next four years selling advertising for two radio stations and then for the CBS affiliate in Nashville

Began his theatrical career playing the role of 'George Gibbs' in a production of "Our Town"

Awards

2009

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Desperate Housewives

2008

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Desperate Housewives

2007

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Desperate Housewives

2006

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Desperate Housewives

2005

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Desperate Housewives