Roy L. Dennis - Legacy

Legacy

Anna Hamilton Phelan wrote a screenplay based on Dennis's life; Peter Bogdanovich directed the 1985 film, entitled Mask, in which Eric Stoltz portrays Dennis. In one scene in the film, the character Dennis reads a poem to his mother, Rusty (played by Cher), written by the real Dennis. The movie originally was to feature music by Bruce Springsteen (Dennis' favorite artist), but due to problems with the record company, Bob Seger's music was used for the film's soundtrack. (Springsteen's music was reinstated for the 2004 Director's Cut DVD.) Most other parts of the movie are very loosely based on Dennis' life, with most of the scenes and dialogue altered for dramatic purposes. For example, the film shows Rusty at Dennis' gravesite; however, the real Dennis was not buried, as his mother donated his body to UCLA for medical research. The dates of birth and death on the tombstone are also incorrect.

Phelan also adapted her screenplay into a stage musical of the same name, with music by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. The musical premiered at the Pasadena Playhouse in California on March 12, 2008.

Swedish pop musician Jens Lekman self-published a song called "Rocky Dennis' Farewell Song to the Blind Girl", causing DJs to mistakenly call him 'Rocky Dennis', much to his displeasure. He clarified that the song was not about himself with the release of Rocky Dennis in Heaven, an EP containing four songs about Dennis and his portrayal in the film.