James Denton

Currently starring in the Golden Globe Award winning Desperate Housewives, Nashville native James Denton is widely recognized for his role as hunky plumber “Mike Delfino” on the fictional Wisteria Lane. Denton, who originally attended college on a basketball scholarship, wasn’t bitten by the acting bug until age 28 when he played George Gibbs in a Nashville production of “Our Town.” It was another four years before he decided to risk everything and move to Chicago to become a professional actor.

This year, Denton has accepted another important role, as spokesperson for Lee National Denim Day, a program dedicated to raising money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for use in research, education, screening, and treatment programs. Denton’s participation is in honor of his mother, who died of breast cancer two years ago. He will focus on spreading lifesaving messages on the importance of early detection and seeking treatment options.

As a male spokesperson, Denton hopes his involvement in Lee National Denim Day will resonate with co-survivors – those assisting a spouse, partner, mother, sister, daughter or friend in their fight against breast cancer. Denton is joined by cast mate Ricardo Antonio Chavira who also lost his mother to breast cancer. Together with Lee, Denton and Chavira hope to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Lee National Denim Day by generating $10 million for the fight against breast cancer.

Denton’s early acting career in Chicago theatre included a starring role as “C.C. Showers” in “The Diviners” that earned him a Joseph Jefferson Best Actor nomination. Denton eventually left for Los Angeles after the Untouchables series came to Chicago for filming. His resume includes performances in films such as Face/Off and Primary Colors. Television credits include The Pretender, Philly, JAG, Ally McBeal, and The West Wing.