Born in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 25, 1934, Denny Miller's family eventually settled in Los Angeles. As a 6'4" college student, Miller found success as the star player of UCLA's basketball team and earned a degree in physical education from the university. Following a stint in the Army, by chance Miller was discovered by a talent agent in 1958 while working a summer job and signed a multi-year contract with MGM. Miller's first starring film role was Tarzan, the Ape Man, released by MGM in 1959.