John Denver
Acting • Born 1943-12-31 – Died 1997-10-12
Biography
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
67 credits
Oh, God!
Movie • 1977
Jerry Landers
The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson
Movie • 1990
Self
John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
Movie • 1979
Self
A Holiday with Friends
Movie • 2004
Self
Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets
Movie • 1983
Self
The Christmas Gift
Movie • 1986
George Billings
Walking Thunder
Movie • 1995
John McKay
A Song's Best Friend - John Denver Remembered
Movie • 2005
Himself
John Denver: The Wildlife Concert
Movie • 1995
Himself
Transformation: The Life and Legacy of Werner Erhard
Movie • 2006
Self - est Graduate (archive footage)
Our Nixon
Movie • 2013
Self (archive footage)
Foxfire
Movie • 1987
Dillard Nations
Aspen
Movie • 1991
Self
John Denver - Thank God I'm A Country Boy Live In Australia 1977
Movie • 2009
Self
John Denver: Rocky Mountain High - Live in Japan
Movie • 2003
himself
Rainbow Rider
Movie • 2024
Self (Archival)
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
Movie • 1986
Self (archive footage)
One-Hit Wonders at the BBC: Volume Two
Movie • 2024
Self (archive footage)
Higher Ground
Movie • 1988
Jim Clayton
Montana Christmas Skies
Movie • 1991
Himself
Sinatra and Friends
Movie • 1977
Self - Singer
Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special
Movie • 1986
Self
John Denver - The Best Of
Movie • 2011
Muzikant
The Leftovers
Movie • 1986
Max Sinclair
Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas
Movie • 1987
Self
Doris Day Today
Movie • 1975
Self
Rocky Mountain Christmas
Movie • 1975
Self
John Denver: Country Boy
Movie • 2013
Himself (archive footage)
John Denver's Christmas in Aspen
Movie • 1988
Self - Host
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1973
Movie • 1973
Self
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
Movie • 2001
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
Movie • 2001
Self (archive footage)
John Denver: Country Roads Live in England
Movie • 1986
Himself
Chile: Hasta Cuando?
Movie • 1986
Self
John Denver with His Special Guest George Burns: Two of a Kind
Movie • 1981
Jacques Cousteau: The First 75 Years
Movie • 1985
Self
The 3rd Barry Manilow Special
Movie • 1979
Himself
John Denver's Rocky Mountain High
Movie
Self
John Denver - Around The World Live
Movie • 2009
Self
John Denver at Wembley Arena
Movie • 1979
Self
John Denver: A Portrait
Movie
Self
Carpenters Very First Television Special
Movie • 1976
Self
“Day of The Bighorn” or “Bighorn!”
Movie
Himself
John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert
Movie • 2011
Self (archive footage)
An Evening with John Denver
Movie • 1975
Self
Solid Gold
TV • 1980
Self
The Muppet Show
TV • 1976
Self - Special Guest Star
Hallmark Hall of Fame
TV • 1951
Dillard
McCloud
TV • 1970
Harty
TV • 1983
Self
The Grammys
TV • 1959
Self
The Emmy Awards
TV • 1949
Self
Van Dyke and Company
TV • 1975
Self
This Is Pop
TV • 2021
Self (archive footage)
The Midnight Special
TV • 1972
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self - Guest Host
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
Starparade
TV • 1968
Self
Le Grand Échiquier
TV • 1972
Self
Champs-Elysées
TV • 1982
Self
Legends
TV • 2006
Self (archive footage)
Die verflixte 7
TV • 1984
Self
Challenger: The Final Flight
TV • 2020
Self - Musician (archive footage)
The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self
Super-Chancen
TV • 1988
John Denver
People's Choice Awards
TV • 1975
Self - Host