Denny Sumargo (born 11 October 1981), nicknamed Densu, is an Indonesian former basketball player for the Indonesia national team, actor, model, content creator, and TV presenter. Based in Jakarta, he is known as a basketball player for his speed and powerful slam dunk, playing as a guard. He is also known for his YouTube podcast channel CURHAT BANG Denny Sumargo.
Personal life Sumargo was born in Ujung Pandang (now Makassar) to a Minangkabau father, Nazaruddin Chaniago (full name: Haji Nazar Chang bin Bandaro, of the Suku Koto), a former officer in the Indonesian Army, and a Chinese Indonesian mother, Meiske Sumargo. His parents divorced shortly after his birth, citing opposition from his mother's family and his father's gambling addiction. He was raised solely by his mother.
Denny married Olivia Allan on 21 November 2020 in an intimate outdoor ceremony. On 27 July 2024, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Gabriella Allan Sumargo. The name Gabriella was inspired by a prayer the couple made at an old church in Italy, and is seen as carrying a hopeful meaning for their daughter.
He was previously rumoured to have dated Sandra Dewi, with whom he appeared in an advertisement; both denied the rumour. In 2011, he was reported to be close to Agnez Mo, though she stated they were only friends. He was also accused of fathering a child belonging to a female disc jockey named Verny Hasan, a claim he denied. In 2019, Denny's mother revealed DNA test results showing the child was not his, and Verny subsequently held a press conference apologising to Denny and his family.
In 2018, Denny became engaged to businesswoman Dita Soedarjo, but the engagement was called off later that year.
Career Basketball After graduating from high school, Sumargo moved to Jakarta in 2000. Initially struggling to find work, he tried out for a scholarship with basketball club Aspac Jakarta and was accepted. He played as a shooting guard or small forward for Aspac and later Satria Muda BritAma.
His career was hampered by an injury sustained during the second game of the Indonesian Basketball League Finals in 2008, when his right ankle swelled severely.
Entertainment In 2011, Sumargo decided to leave professional basketball and enter the Indonesian entertainment industry. He made his acting debut in the film Hattrick (2012), alongside Arumi Bachsin, Lukman Sardi, and Dion Wiyoko.
That same year, he appeared in 5 cm, a film about a group of friends who climb Mount Semeru together. Denny played Arial, the older brother of Arinda (portrayed by Pevita Pearce), alongside Fedi Nuril, Herjunot Ali, Raline Shah, and Igor Saykoji.
Over the course of his career, Sumargo has appeared in more than ten films, including Mall Klender (2014), Rock N Love (2015), Erau Kota Raja (2015), The Doll (2016), and Twivortiare (2019).
Achievements Individual Rookie of the Year (2001) Slam Dunk Contest champion (2003) All Defensive Team (2001–2006) Most Valuable Player — Kobatama Regular Season (2002, 2003) Most Valuable Player — Indonesian Basketball League (2008)
Team Kobatama champion (2000–2002, with Aspac) 4th place — SEABA (2001, Manila, Philippines) Kobatama Tournament champion (2002, Surabaya, with Aspac) IBL season champion (2003, with HP Aspac) IBL runner-up (2004, with Aspac) 2nd place — SEABA (2007, Jakarta, with Satria Muda BritAma) IBL runner-up (2008) Sister City champion (Jakarta, with Satria Muda BritAma) Liga Basket Indonesia champion IBL champion (Yogyakarta, with Satria Muda BritAma) 7th place — ABC Championship (Dubai, UAE)
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2012 Hattrick Galang 5 cm Arial 2013 Berlian Si Etty Roby 308 Sena Ardiyansyah 1000 Balon Villain 2014 Mall Klender Panji Danau Hitam Boy 2015 Erau Kota Raja Reza Rock N Love Aldi 2016 The Doll Daniel 2017 Kartini Raden Mas Slamet Mata Batin Davin 2018 A Man Called Ahok Young Kim Nam 2019 Twivortiare Denny 2021 Balada Sepasang Kekasih Gila Jarot Yowis Ben 3 Arjuna Yowis Ben Finale 2022 Miracle in Cell No. 7 Hendro Sanusi Perfect Strangers Anjas 2024 Dewi Rino 2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7 Hendro Sanusi 2025 Panji Tengkorak Panji Voice 2026 BABY UDON (Film) Hajime Kondoh Producer & actor
Television series Year Title Role Notes 2015 Masalembo Kalawa 2015–2016 Tetangga Masa Gitu? Pak Charles 2016–2017 The Transmart Ismail
Web series Year Title Role Notes 2020 Cerita Sebuah Catatan Male model 2024 Ellyas Pical Ellyas Pical
Television programmes La Liga (tvOne) My Trip My Adventure (Trans TV) Love Jukebox (Trans TV) Super 10 Indonesia (RTV) Dream Box Indonesia (Trans TV) Bikin Laper (Trans TV) Dewan Curhat (Trans7) Indonesia's Got Talent (RCTI) Ini Talkshow (NET.)
FTV My Trip My Adventure: The Lost Paradise (2018)
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2018 Piala Maya Best Supporting Actor A Man Called Ahok 2019 Indonesian Movie Actors Awards Best Supporting Actor Favourite Supporting Actor Indonesian Box Office Movie Awards Best Leading Actor Festival Film Bandung Best Leading Actor 2022 Festival Film Wartawan Indonesia Best Supporting Actor – Drama Miracle in Cell No. 7 2023 Festival Film Bandung Best Supporting Actor Indonesian Movie Actors Awards Best Supporting Actor Favourite Supporting Actor Festival Film Wartawan Indonesia Best Supporting Actor – Drama Perfect Strangers 2024 Festival Film Bandung Best Leading Actor – Web Series Ellyas Pical 2025 Indonesian Inspiring Celebrity Awards Most Wanted Celebrity —
See also FIBA Asia Championship 2007 FIBA Asia Championship 2007 squads
References
External links Basket Asia Profile