Denver was best known for playing Gilligan on TV's Gilligan’s Island and Maynard G. Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.

The New York native grew up in California and went to Loyola University in Los Angeles. He became famous in the late 1950s and 1960s through his roles on the two hit shows. Gilligan’s Island ran from 1964–1967 but has remained popular for years through reruns, movies, and cartoons.

In the 1990s, Denver and his wife Dreama moved to Princeton, where they started The Denver Foundation to help people with special needs, inspired by their son Colin, who has autism. They also launched Little Buddy Radio, with proceeds going to the foundation.

A museum in his honor is planned for the Princeton Renaissance Theater.