Dennis Zavett

ORLANDO, FL - Dennis “Denny” Zavett, age 82, of Orlando, Florida, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. As a lung transplant recipient, he faced pulmonary illness with courage and grace throughout his long journey.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Anne (Sleeper) Zavett; his children, Craig Zavett, Alana (Zavett) Green, and Steven Green; his grandsons, Zev and Sasha Green; and his extended family, including his sisters-in-law Mary (Fritzemeier) Zavett and Carol (Greenberg) Sleeper, and his brother-in-law Michael Sleeper. He was predeceased by his brother, Errol.

Dennis was born on September 8, 1943, in Santa Monica, California, to Sadye (Lebowitz) and Hyman Zavett. At age two, his family moved to Rock Island, Illinois, to be closer to his mother’s extended family, including his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Coming from humble beginnings, Dennis’s early years were shaped by grit, perseverance, and an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. From a young age, he had a resilient spirit that carried him throughout his life.

After graduating from Rock Island High School, Dennis became a counselor at Camp Herzl, a Jewish summer camp in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was there he picked up a ukulele for the first time, an experience that changed the course of his life. He took to it quickly, and soon after bought a $10 guitar, where he began performing in local coffeehouses and venues. At the same time, he earned his Associate’s Degree at Black Hawk College before continuing his studies at Northern Illinois University.

That early love of music ignited a lifelong passion. Before long, he performed with a traveling quartet in more than 40 states. While in South Florida, he learned of an opportunity to serve as an entertainment director and performer in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. That fateful role is where he met the love of his life, Anne Sleeper, who was vacationing with her parents shortly after college graduation. An immediate spark flew, blossoming into a long-distance courtship. Two years later, they were married in Anne’s hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

In their first years together, Dennis spent a decade performing in Boston, growing as a musician and building a reputation as a talented local performer. When a new opportunity surfaced in Florida, Dennis and Anne traded Boston winters for the warmth of Marco Island. There, he wrote and sang the official “Marco Island Song”: an anthem still preserved at the Marco Island Historical Society nearly fifty years later. They cherished those six seasons until Dennis was recruited as a headliner at Disney’s brand-new Empress Lilly Riverboat. In 1978, the couple officially put down roots in Orlando, raising their two children in the same home for more than 45 years.

At Disney’s Baton Rouge Lounge, “Denny” became a household name, affectionately known as Central Florida’s “King of Comedy.” He fronted the Riverboat Rascals, performing five nights a week and forging friendships that lasted a lifetime. For 18 years, he worked for “the Mouse”, and considered himself fortunate to be singing, playing guitar, and telling jokes for a living. Decades later, he is still remembered fondly as a local celebrity, people recalling his “rubber chicken act” and other beloved routines with a smile.

Following his years at Disney, Dennis brought his talents to SeaWorld and to corporate stages worldwide, traveling with Anne to exciting destinations such as Hawaii and Ireland. He entertained audiences of hundreds at conferences, humbly opened for icons such as Ray Charles, Barbara Mandrell, and Loretta Lynn, and even performed at the opening ceremony of the Little League World Series before more than ten thousand people.

On stage, Dennis was known for his beautiful voice, rhythmic guitar, and quick wit. He had a rare gift for drawing in audiences—large or small—and making each person feel they were part of something bigger. His charisma and warmth made him not just a performer but a true connector.

Offstage, Dennis found joy in the simple, everyday moments. He loved sharing stories, making a pot of chili, or playing a round of golf, but what mattered most was time with family. He found happiness in Sunday calls and visits with his kids, and even in rewatching a favorite movie – not for the film itself, but for the chance to enjoy it alongside someone he loved.

In his late sixties, Dennis was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a rare and progressive lung disease. He faced it with great bravery, sustained by Anne, his fiercest advocate and lifeline. In January 2016, he received both a double lung transplant and double heart bypass surgery at AdventHealth in Orlando. Those ‘bonus years,’ as he called them, gave him nearly a decade more of life: time to sing again, to travel, to spend time with his adoring grandsons, and to keep doing what he loved most, making people happy. He had immense gratitude for the medical team who gave him the gift of extended life, sharing his story and voice as a spokesman and mentor.

Dennis’s legacy remains in the magic he brought to others, the love he gave his family, and the resilience and humor that defined his remarkable life.

The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 19th at 1:00 p.m. at Temple Emanuel Sinai, 661 Saliasbury Street, Worcester, MA, with Interment immediately following at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John's Road, Worcester. Shiva details will be announced at the service. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Dennis by registering as an organ donor or making a donation to the AdventHealth Lung Transplant Institute. When donating, there are several drop-down options available—please be sure to note "Lung Program" in the comment section to ensure your gift supports the intended cause. Thank you for celebrating his legacy in this meaningful way.