Denny LeVett

A Beloved Visionary and Friend to Carmel

The Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF) mourns the passing of Doris Day’s dear friend and ours, Denny LeVett, who famously co-owned Carmel’s Cypress Inn with Doris for over thirty years until her death in 2019.

At a time when traveling with pets was nearly impossible, Denny’s hotel-management expertise and Doris’ lifelong animal-welfare passion created a groundbreaking concept — a place where guests and their four-legged companions were equally welcome. Together they made Cypress Inn the premier pet-friendly hotel and helped establish Carmel as the dog-friendliest town in America.

From his modest beginnings in Iowa Falls to becoming a respected entrepreneur, philanthropist, aviator, and collector, Denny led a life rich with curiosity and accomplishment. At Cypress Inn, visitors often admired the cabinets filled with his collections of toy soldiers and historic artifacts — small glimpses into a mind that valued history and storytelling as much as hospitality.

Together with his wife Jeanne, Denny extended unwavering support to animal-welfare causes, hosting DDAF events and fundraisers at the Inn long after Doris’ passing and always treating the organization as family. His kindness, humor, and generosity touched everyone he met — from staff and guests to his many friends in Carmel and beyond.

Our hearts go out to Jeanne, Denny’s daughters, and his loved ones. Carmel-by-the-Sea has lost a cherished friend, but his legacy continues in every warm welcome — and every wagging tail — that defines our village.