Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Dennis Verner has lived there all of his life except for a stint in the Chicago area, at about the age of four, while his father was serving in the military. Dennis attended Detroit public schools, and after completing grade school, he was recommended to attend Cass Technical High School by one of his art teachers. Being a little stubborn, as he tends to be, he studied electronics at Cass Tech, instead of pursuing art and electrical engineering at Wayne State University. He started a small business after that. He often wonders how things would have turned out had he listened to his teacher.
Just before turning 60, Dennis decided he was tired of being out of shape and wanted to return to the gym to regain his boyish figure. Good intentions led to compulsion, which in turn led to a physique competition in 2011. This is something he is not likely to do again anytime soon. However, his new found dedication to staying physically fit has made him more confident and ready to pursue other opportunities.
At the age of 68 and after over 40 years as a small businessman, Dennis decided to study and explore acting. He found out along the way that he could also sing. In the past few years Dennis has performed in several small films and plays in the Detroit area. It was in 2011 that Dennis was asked by writer and director Marius Iliescu to step into the role of Soldier Four in Epicenter Theatre Group’s production of The Man Who Lost His Sundays. It was a role that required him to use his physical presence and he enjoyed a great experience working with that cast and crew throughout the process. He looks forward to being part of future Epicenter Theatre Group productions and the next 70 years.
Dennis Verner Photo Gallery