John Denver
Known for: Acting
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, activist, and humanitarian, whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer. After traveling and living in numerous locations while growing up in his military family, Denver began his music career with folk music groups during the late 1960s. Starting in the 1970s, he was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the decade and one of its best-selling artists. By 1974, he was one of America's best-selling performers, and AllMusic has described Denver as "among the most beloved entertainers of his era". Denver recorded and released approximately 300 songs, about 200 of which he composed, with total sales of over 33 million records worldwide. He recorded and performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials. Denver's music appeared on a variety of charts, including country music, the Billboard Hot 100, and adult contemporary, in all earning 12 gold and four platinum albums with his signature songs "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", "Calypso", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", and "Sunshine on My Shoulders". Denver appeared in several films and television specials during the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to record in the 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues by lending vocal support to space exploration and testifying in front of Congress in protest against censorship in music. He lived in Aspen, Colorado for much of his life and was known for his love of Colorado, which he sang about numerous times. In 1974 Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state legislature also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its two state songs in 2007. Denver was an avid pilot who died at the age of 53 in a single-fatality crash while flying his experimental Rutan Long-EZ canard aircraft.
Filmography
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self - Guest Host
1962
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Series
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Series
Champs-Elysées
Self
1982
Series
McCloud
1970
Series
Le Grand Échiquier
Self
1972
Series
People's Choice Awards
Self - Host
1975
Series
The Midnight Special
Self
1972
Series
The Muppet Show
Self - Special Guest Star
1976
Series
Solid Gold
Self
1980
Series
Legends
Self (archive footage)
2006
Series
This Is Pop
Self (archive footage)
2021
Harty
Self
1983
Series
The Emmy Awards
Self
1949
Series
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Dillard
1951
Series
Starparade
Self
1968
Series
Challenger: The Final Flight
Self - Musician (archive footage)
2020
Series
Van Dyke and Company
Self
1975
Film
Foxfire
Dillard Nations
1987
Film
Oh, God!
Jerry Landers
1977
Die verflixte 7
Self
1984
Film
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
Self (archive footage)
1986
Series
Austin City Limits: Country
2001
Film
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Self
1990
Film
Doris Day Today
Self
1975
Series
Super-Chancen
John Denver
1988
Series
The Grammys
Self
1959
Film
John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
Self
1979
Film
Aspen
Self
1991
Film
Walking Thunder
John McKay
1995
Film
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
Self (archive footage)
2001
Film
Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special
Self
1986
Film
Our Nixon
Self (archive footage)
2013
Film
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
Self (archive footage)
2001
Film
The Leftovers
Max Sinclair
1986
Film
Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas
Self
1987
Film
Montana Christmas Skies
Himself
1991
Film
Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets
Self
1983
Rainbow Rider
Self (Archival)
2024
Film
Higher Ground
Jim Clayton
1988
Film
The Christmas Gift
George Billings
1986
Film
Rocky Mountain Christmas
Self
1975
Film
Transformation: The Life and Legacy of Werner Erhard
Self - est Graduate (archive footage)
2006
Film
John Denver: The Wildlife Concert
Himself
1995
Film
Jacques Cousteau: The First 75 Years
Self
1985
Film
Chile: Hasta Cuando?
Self
1986
Film
John Denver: Country Boy
Himself (archive footage)
2013
Film
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1973
Self
1973
Film
An Evening with John Denver
Self
1975
Film
A Song's Best Friend - John Denver Remembered
Himself
2005
Film
John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert
Self (archive footage)
2011
Film
Sinatra and Friends
Self - Singer
1977
Film
The 3rd Barry Manilow Special
Himself
1979
Film
Carpenters Very First Television Special
Self
1976
Film
One-Hit Wonders at the BBC: Volume Two
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
John Denver's Christmas in Aspen
Self - Host
1988
Film
John Denver: Rocky Mountain High - Live in Japan
himself
2003
John Denver: Music and the Mountains
Self
1981
Film
John Denver with His Special Guest George Burns: Two of a Kind
1981
John Denver: The Higher We Fly
Self
1980
Film
John Denver - The Best Of
Muzikant
2011
A Holiday with Friends
Self
2004
Film
John Denver - Thank God I'm A Country Boy Live In Australia 1977
Self
2009
Film
John Denver: A Portrait
Self
Film
John Denver: Country Roads Live in England
Himself
1986
Film
John Denver - Around The World Live
Self
2009
Film
John Denver at Wembley Arena
Self
1979
Film
John Denver's Rocky Mountain High
Self
“Day of The Bighorn” or “Bighorn!”
Himself
Rocky Mountain Reunion
Self
1979