Born to Sicilian parents, he eldest of three children, he was raised in Harlem. In late 1979, he had a job as an actor and director for a nonprofit theater. He took the name Denison from his friend Jan Denison, who supported him in his pursuit to act. In 1977, he was a life-insurance agent for John Hancock Insurance in Poughkeepsie, New York. He spent his spare time in various stage plays in New Paltz, New York. Denison is his godmother's name. When Ken Wahl, the star of "Wiseguy" (1987), suffered an injury that incapcitated him, Denison was chosen to fill the gap by playing another agent, who appeared for the duration of storyline that the show was engaged in at the time. Denison has been married to actress Jennifer Evans since 1986. Their first screen credit together was a 1987 episode of "Wiseguy" (1987). Has worked in construction, as a chess tournament promoter, a backgammon tournament promoter, a life-insurance salesperson, a chauffeur, and a newspaper editor. He used the profits from his own construction company to pay for his college education. Went to State University of New York (SUNY) in New Paltz, New York. Received a bachelor's degree.
