Mark Miller

November 20, 1924 - September 9, 2022

Mark Miller, actor, writer and producer of stage, film and television, best known for his role as Professor Jim Nash in “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies,” has died at age 97. He starred in many of the seminal shows of the 1960s and ‘70s before finding success as a writer with “Savannah Smiles” and “A Walk in the Clouds.” He is the father of actress Penelope Ann Miller.

Born Claude Herbert Miller Jr. in Houston, Texas, Miller grew up among the oil fields of the Gulf Coast, the son of a Texaco engineer, Claude Herbert Miller Sr. and Martha Ozella Jinks. He attended Texas A&M and The University of Texas, where he majored in architecture, then moved to New York to study acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His first professional job was opposite Grace Kelly in “Private Lives.” Miller found early success on the stage as a leading man, capturing the notice of many of the most celebrated playwrights of the era, such as William Inge and Philip Barry. During the 1950’s Miller starred in over thirty plays and worked with Broadway luminaries Ellen Burstyn, Elaine Stritch, Joan Blondell and others.

In 1960 Miller moved to Los Angeles to launch his television career at the invitation of Desi Arnaz, who recognized his winning combination of handsome sophistication and comedic timing. While starring in the perennial favorite, “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” he penned an episode entitled “The Magnificent Muldoon,” which garnered him an Emmy nomination.

Beginning in the late 70’s, Miller branched out into feature films. Notably, he wrote, produced and starred in the family classic “Savannah Smiles.” He also wrote “A Walk in the Clouds,” starring Keanu Reeves.

In his later years, Miller formed Gypsy Moon Productions in Marina del Rey, where he worked closely with his daughter, Marisa Miller, to develop the emotionally rewarding films for which he was known.

Miller was married to fashion and lifestyle journalist Beatrice Ammidown from 1959-1975. Together they had 3 daughters. He was married to actress, Barbara Stanger from 1976-1998. They relocated to New Mexico in the 1990’s where they welcomed a son.

Miller was followed in death by his sister, Dorothy MacDonald, who died on 9/28/22 and predeceased by his son with Stanger, Gabe Miller, who died in 2016.

Miller is survived by his 3 daughters, Marisa (Jonathan Berzer and daughter Celeste), Penelope (James Huggins, and daughters Eloisa and Maria), and Savannah (John Bonica, and daughters Amelia, Gretta, and Sophie Eberline).

Donations can be made in his name to the Motion Picture and Television Fund.