Denis Mandel was born on July 28, 1954. Information about his personal life is scarce. His references do not even list his place of birth, only that he was born in the United States. He obviously wants to keep his private life private.
Denis is best known as the character actor who played Eugene Belvin in ten episodes of Happy Days from 1980 to 1982. Eugene appeared in Seasons 8 and 9 of the show. He and his twin brother, Melvin Belvin (Scott Bernstein), were nerdy classmates of Joanie (Eerin Moran) and Chachi (Scott Baio) at Jefferson High. Eugene and Melvin frequently tagged along with Joanie and Chachi's circle of friends. Eugene had a crush on Jenny Piccolo (Cathy Silvers)., Joanie's boy-crazy best friend. He also attended Fonzie's auto shop class
Below is a photo of Denis as Eugene Belvin on Happy Days, wearing turtle shell glasses and an argyle sweater.
After his stint on Happy Days, Denis appeared in a 1982 episode of the popular crime drama, CHiPs, starring Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox as motorcycle police. Denis portrayed Morgan in an episode of the series entitled "Overload" (Season 5, Episode 25, Air Date (May 2, 1982). He also played Josh in Mortuary. a 1983 feature horror film.
Denis had a minor role in the 1984 television movie, The Seduction of Gina. He played a "resident" in this TV film about gambling, starring Valerie Bertinelli. Bertinelli had the title role of Gina Breslin, a bored newlywed who discovers blackjack on a visit to Lake Tahoe, and becomes obsessed with gambling.
Denis appeared as Eddie in the 1990 feature film, Brush with Death, an action thriller. He also portrayed Nick in a 1990 episode of the prime time soap Knot's Landing called "If I Die Before I Wake." (Season 11, Episode 27, Air Date: May 3, 1990).
Denis Mandel's last television acting role was a 1992 guest-starring role in Home Front, a historical drama. He played Striker Ted in an episode called "If You Want it Done Right" Season 1, Episode 22, Air Date (April 1, 1992) in this series about the aftermath of World War II.
So, what happened to Denis after he stopped acting circa 1992? It seems that he has done some writing. According to the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb), he was nominated for the James Kirkwood Writing Prize (1997) for Highway 56. He also finished second in the Arizona Authors Association National Literary Contest (2000).
According to a 2018 post called "Happy Days, Where Did They Go?" on the Cleverst. website, Denis "retired from acting and is currently living in L.A." Denis, if you so desire, I invite you to send me an email keeping fans up to date about yourself. I would be very pleased if you would do so, and I would like to publish it for the readers of TV Banter.
- Joanne
I was and still am a fan of Denis
ReplyDeleteMandel who played Eugene Belvin
Barry Greenberg who played Moose
Neil J Schwartz who played Bag Zombroski Scott Bernstein who played Melvin Belvin Randolph Roberts and Gavan O'Herlihy who
Both played Chuck Cunningham
Ted McGinley who.played Roger Phillips and Danny Butch who played Spike on Happy Days.
On fact I liked THE ENTIRE CAST
OF HAPPY DAYS.
Me too. Chachi too
DeleteI couldn’t figure out how to sign in so I could put my name on my comment. I got partially through, but then I couldn’t get back to the site unless I went in as an anonymous so that’s what I’m doing.
DeleteMy name is Nadine. I went to school with Denis Mandel, both elementary and high school; he’s from RAHWAY, New Jersey. They were public schools, Roosevelt school and Rahway high school, respectively. I’m now in Arizona, so I read the story he wrote which won a particular prize for fiction, a story which he lifted from a local kid’s life, but what writer doesn’t do that— though it was supposed to be a fictional piece.
I am in the writing community, so I can tell you that a pretty minimal award, but it is still in award, though it doesn’t reach the level of being Happy Days, his jewel in the crown. The actual event and kid used to play at Tully Field, one of our neighborhood parks.
My memory of Dennis — he was not a nice person and this is reflected in some of the stories you hear from Happy Days. Pretty much the only cast member that people didn’t get along with. He was mean-spirited.
I’m pretty sure he was gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that… But like the article states, there isn’t much on his personal life that’s out there.
I can also tell you to look at some pictures from the 70s or 80s and then again in the 90s; he had a nose job that’s for certain. I guess I’m as bad as him, huh, with the gossip?
wonder if he still gets a lot of fan mail LOL
DeleteEqually if not more nasty.
ReplyDelete