Mark Miller(1924-2022)
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Houston-born Mark Miller came to Hollywood after studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. After his graduation in 1952, he began appearing in plays and made his professional debut in a Rhode Island production of The Philadelphia Story. His friendship with playwright William Inge resulted in Miller getting the lead role in Bus Stop (played by Don Murray in the film version) and as Joan Blondell's son-in-law, touring the U.S. and Canada in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs. The tour concluded its run at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. While there, Miller was approached by Desi Arnaz and offered double his current salary to star (without auditioning!) in Guestward Ho! (1960), a Desilu-produced sitcom. The show was axed after a single season but it effectively launched Miller's career as a sought-after TV leading man and supporting actor. Arguably, he is best remembered as English college professor Jim Nash in Ne mangez pas les marguerites (1965), a sitcom which revolved around the often shambolic life of a high maintenance suburban family (including a huge sheepdog) who dwell in a quaint turreted mansion. It co-starred the charming Pat Crowley as Nash's housework-hating, accident-prone newspaper columnist wife. Miller appeared as a guest star in many other prime time series, including Gunsmoke (1955), La quatrième dimension (1959), Les envahisseurs (1967), Jeannie de mes rêves (1965), Les règles du jeu (1968) and Les rues de San Francisco (1972).
Miller segued into writing TV scripts from 1966 and also co-wrote the screenplay for the Keanu Reeves rom-com Les vendanges de feu (1995). In 2010, he authored the romantic comedy play Amorous Crossings. Starring Loretta Swit (of M.A.S.H. (1972) fame), it had a four-week run at the Alhambra Theater in Jacksonville, Florida, performing to packed audiences. A reviewer described Amorous Crossings as a nostalgic 'throwback' -- akin to a 1930s screwball comedy-- and lauded it as "cleverly written, skillfully acted".
Miller's first wife, Beatrice Miller, was a former costume designer, LA Times journalist, M-G-M publicist and editor for Harper's Bazaar. In 1986, she became a certified Yoga instructor. Their union produced three daughters, all actresses and/or models: Penelope Ann Miller, Marisa Miller and Savannah Miller. His second wife (also divorced) was the television actress Barbara Stanger.
Miller segued into writing TV scripts from 1966 and also co-wrote the screenplay for the Keanu Reeves rom-com Les vendanges de feu (1995). In 2010, he authored the romantic comedy play Amorous Crossings. Starring Loretta Swit (of M.A.S.H. (1972) fame), it had a four-week run at the Alhambra Theater in Jacksonville, Florida, performing to packed audiences. A reviewer described Amorous Crossings as a nostalgic 'throwback' -- akin to a 1930s screwball comedy-- and lauded it as "cleverly written, skillfully acted".
Miller's first wife, Beatrice Miller, was a former costume designer, LA Times journalist, M-G-M publicist and editor for Harper's Bazaar. In 1986, she became a certified Yoga instructor. Their union produced three daughters, all actresses and/or models: Penelope Ann Miller, Marisa Miller and Savannah Miller. His second wife (also divorced) was the television actress Barbara Stanger.
