Dennis Patrick Devine of Nashville passed away on September 6, 2025. He was 86 years old. Dennis was born in Los Angeles in 1939, the son of actor Andy Devine and Dorothy House Devine. Never one to miss a grand entrance, Dennis's arrival began during a dinner between his parents and Clark Gable and Carole Lombard at the Brown Derby in Hollywood. The entire restaurant moved to Cedars Sinai to welcome his birth a few hours later.

Dennis grew up with his parents and his brother Tad on the family ranch in Van Nuys, California surrounded by characters that defined early Hollywood. His childhood was filled with movie sets, horseback rides, family bird hunts and elaborate games of hide and go seek. He played football for Van Nuys High School until he found his love of swimming. An early entrepreneur, Dennis started a bike business, restored cars and became a Santa Monica lifeguard before graduating high school.

After earning many city swimming titles, Dennis attended USC where he continued his swimming career with great success. Working under coach Peter Daland, Dennis and his teammates won USC's first NCAA swimming title in 1960. He was one of the fastest swimmers in the nation, narrowly missing the Olympics. At USC he met his first wife, Barbara. They married in 1963 and welcomed their daughter Trish in 1970.

After USC, Dennis grew a very successful real estate development business. Together with his partner Peter Sidlow, their company D&S developed hundreds of residential and commercial properties throughout the San Fernando Valley and beyond. Those developments, including Studio Village and Orange Grove Village, remain vibrant today.

His ability to find fun wherever he went attracted lifelong pals who loved him dearly. In the course of his life Dennis was a member of many organizations including the Rancheros Visitadores and the Bohemian Club of San Francisco. He adored riding his motorcycle along the California coast. He was an avid skier, tennis player, horseman and a great shot. He loved the ocean and once sailed the Transpac from LA to Hawaii.

Dennis married Suzanne Bercut Day in 1997 and moved to Nashville, TN where he continued to develop real estate. A lifelong adventurer, Dennis got his pilot's license in his late 50s. He and Suzanne flew their plane to many destinations throughout the country. He embodied the Devine family Irish gift of storytelling, and was often asked to write a poem, toast or a roast. He authored two books before his passing.

Dennis was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Of all his gifts, his ability to connect with people was his true talent. He lit up a room and made friends wherever he went. Dennis never missed a chance to make people feel loved. He will be deeply missed.

Dennis is survived by his wife Suzanne Day; his daughter Trish Karlin (Peter Karlin); grandchildren Miles Karlin and Dean Karlin; nephew Drew Devine and niece Debra Lee (Rich Lee). A private celebration of Dennis' life will be held in Newport Beach, CA on Saturday November 29 at 12:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to USC Aquatics in his honor.

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Published by Los Angeles Times on Oct. 29, 2025.