Denis George Mahan (born June 15, 1950), better known as Deney Terrio, is an American choreographer and hosted the television musical variety series Dance Fever from 1979 to 1987.
[1] Raised in Titusville, Florida,[2] Terrio achieved fame as the dance coach and choreographer for John Travolta in the movie Saturday Night Fever (1977).
During his heyday with Dance Fever, he appeared in a number of films, including The Idolmaker (1980), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), A Night in Heaven (1983) and Knights of the City (1986), and guest starred on popular television series of the time, including The Love Boat.
In 1991, Terrio sued Merv Griffin, the producer of Dance Fever, for sexual harassment;[3] the US$11.3 million case was later dismissed.
In order to induce her pity, Benson claims that he lost use of his legs after he found his girlfriend having sex with Terrio.