Dennis Cole

A performer of mainly television, he is best known for his role as ‘Detective Jim Briggs’ in the police drama “Felony Squad” (1966 to 1969). With his athletic build, the Detroit native was able to find work as a model and later as a Hollywood stuntman, which led to bit acting parts. His first major role was in the daytime TV serial “Paradise Bay” (1965). He co-starred with Rod Taylor in the series “Bearcats” (1971), appeared in the short-lived Broadway comedy “All the Girls Came Out to Play” (1972), and had guest starring roles from the 1970s throughout the 1990s, in such programs as “Bracken’s World”, “Medical Center”, “Police Story”, “The Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island” and “Murder, She Wrote”. In addition, Cole had a recurring role as ‘Lance Prentiss’ in the serial “The Young and the Restless” (1981 to 1982). In 1978 he married actress Jaclyn Smith, whom he met during the filming of an episode of “Charlie’s Angels”. They divorced in 1981. Cole became an advocate against violence following the tragic death of his son Joseph Dennis “Joe” Cole (from a previous marriage) who was killed during a robbery in 1991. In recent years, he resided in Florida where he worked in the real estate industry and involved himself with several charitable causes.