In Memory

Dana Miller - Class Of 1973 VIEW PROFILE

Dana Miller

Dana Miller (August 29, 1955 - December 7, 2014), the witty, sometimes cantankerous and always passionate entertainment producer, AIDS advocate and longtime columnist for Frontiers magazine, was found dead in the South Pasadena home of his late mother. He was 59.

"Dana was legendary in gay Los Angeles and Hollywood during the AIDS crisis. He was a brilliant and warm friend to so many, including Frontiers, the City of West Hollywood and several nonprofits. We will miss his stories, sense of humor and the contributions he made to Frontiers," New Frontiers Media owner and publisher Michael Turner said in a statement. "Dana was looking forward to hosting Toy Box this year, benefiting the families supported by APLA."

This is 19th years AIDS Project Los Angeles is holding its annual Toy Box Party-an event Dana loved producing. One year, he shut down Larrabee Street, between Eleven Nightclub and Revolver in West Hollywood and trucked in bags of fake snow as a holiday adornment for Santa's throne and the huge pile of toys to rest upon. He also invited aging Hollywood actors to pose with pictures with gays who still considered them icons.

When not producing fundraisers for AIDS organizations, Dana wrote a regular column, first for IN Los Angeles magazine and then for Frontiers after the two publications merged. Dana's "Out & About" column not only provided space for Dana's voice but also the voices of old gay Hollywood and gays and lesbians who remembered when advocacy was more important than fleeting infamy. And he could skillfully slice and dice the powerful with his rapier wit or skewer them just for fun, as in this look at The Real Housewives of the West Hollywood City Council, one of his last feature stories.

"Dana's wit was unparalleled, and he had a gift for finding humor in all that life threw at him. He also called it like he saw it, especially in situations that he thought could be improved upon. His overall intention was always for the greater good," David Stern said in a statement. "We lost a historian, not only in our own gay culture but in the history of Hollywood."

Frontiers Media, December 10, 2014

 



 
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12/11/14 09:14 AM #1    

Stacy McLaughlin (Belanger) (1973)

My heart is broken. I'm so thankful that Dana and I stayed so late at the last reunion into the wee hours. Junior High and High School Drama classes were my life savers.  Half the time it was like being on the Carol Burnett Show!  We kept breaking each other up. He accused me of raising one eyebrow everytime he was supposed to be serious. He could drive Mr.La Magra to the edge of sanity. Heck, sometimes he could drive me to the edge! He was so sad at the reunion because he knew Bruce Stephens had so little time.  They had been great friends at So Pas.  I guess he decided to go be with his pal. I will love him and miss him always.  


12/12/14 10:00 PM #2    

May Fox (1973)

I have been sitting here all day, stunned by the news of Dana Miller's passing. And not only by this news, but the news about Bruce Stephens as well. Dana and I had a few classes together. During that time, I realized what a kind and caring person, Dana really was. He had such an infectious smile and you couldn't help but smile back, even if you were having a bad day. I remember, after the 2003 reunion, being online and getting this surprise instant message from Dana. He asked how I was doing since the reunion and was concerned about my health issues. He and I chatted for a few more moments and then he said he had to go and would catch up with me later. That was basically the last contact that I had with him. I can't believe he is gone. We need to savor and cherish each moment of friendship we have, because we never know if it is going to be our last. My prayers go out to Dana's family and friends, as they struggle to deal with their sorrow and loss. May God wrap his healing, loving arms around each of you and may you feel him encircling you with His love, that is being poured down on you, during this most sorrowful time. Bye Dana. You may be gone, but you will never, ever be forgotten and I will see you later.


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