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The former MGM studio head and one of Hollywood's top producers back in the 1970s and 1980s was 77. Not one of my favorite people, but he was popular among a certain dwindling crowd.
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Worked for him at IndieProd back in the day with Allen Shapiro. He was an odd character, clearly saddened that the days of the strong producer had passed him by. Always wore an ascot. Nuff sed.
Not
A
Nice
Guy
at
All.
But fuckin’ passionate!
“Not one of my favorite people” is very charitable, Nikki. That will probably be the nicest thing said about him.
“Dwindling crowd”…? Not quite sure what the hell you’re talking about (as usual), but I remember his name from two of my favorite movies, ‘Straw Dogs’ and ‘All that Jazz’.
<<>>
Wow. Nothing quite like kicking a guy on his way out. What’s the matter: his dying wasn’t enough for you?
Not your classiest moment.
Sorry – your comment doesn’t cut it. Someone stating their opinion about someone who has just passed – even if it’s less-than-flattering about the deceased does not, in my book, constitute “kicking a person when they’re on their way out”. If this were true, then commentary on any public or semi-public person would be restricted to being only complimentary and that just isn’t the case – and shouldn’t be. A person’s legacy should be based in the reality of those who knew him/her and everyone – repeat everyone – has their supporters and detractors. I knew Dan pretty well and while he was a talented producer who helped shepherd the creation of several good films, he was also known in the business as being a bit pretentious, frequently prickly and often a not-so-nice character who treated some people very badly.
“Popular among a certain dwindling crowd” is about as dismissive as you can be. You already said you didn’t like the man, but you had to go further on add another snarky comment. Classy way to treat the dead.
A great example of what “legacy” means. If you want people to speak well of you when you’re gone, you should be a good person while you’re here.
(note: didn’t know the man at all, personally – but that’s not the point)
I don’t think the comment is dismissive at all – in fact, it reflects the passage of many in Dan’s circle. As for what you consider the comment being a “classy way to treat the dead” see my other comment on my feelings about this – as well as Gary A’s astute observation about what the term “legacy” can mean. Dan’s obit is touting his many achievements – are you suggesting that people only share these kinds of thoughts and not the not so nice experiences? Having known Dan I’d suggest that his life, while rich with achievement, can also be viewed as a cautionary tale about Hollywood, success, power and the dark side of human nature.
I know he was not so popular but Danny was always very kind and generous with me. Gordon Stulberg, my Mentor, just laughed when I told him I was consulting for Danny–they are both gone now and that’s a little bit more out of my life.
He gave me first job as a casting director. He took a chance. I was 26 and had no real experience. He was always professional and great to women that way. He NEVER took unfair advantage of them – me and others I knew who worked for him – because he was the boss. He was extremely loyal, an excellent friend, and a generous and gracious host. Others, like you had issues with him. I understand. But I was crazy about him. I shall miss him, his humor and his black cape.
N
sherry lansing’s mentor, a complicated man of very dark secrets, very smart, very creepy and a very divisive character.
I must have seen Straw Dogs a dozen times, even at drive-in theaters in Bakersfield!! God Bless, Dan Melnick!!
Dan would always take the time to meet new agents, and then give them the 3rd degree. Had to be be on your game.
I met him in his later years and he was always quite cool with me. Sorry to hear that he’s gone.
One of the first big-timers I met while temping in LA. You were lectured not to wear red and not to look him in the eye or speak to him. Then again, he didn’t eat Kleenex.
I did work at his house in the early 90’s and was never told what to (or not to) wear. I also looked him in the eye AND spoke to him. He was a bit eccentric, but seemed like a reasonable person.
‘Popular among a certain dwindling crowd’ – an instant classic.
A friend I shall miss, loyal and kind to those who shared his world.
If Dan did not treat you as his favorite person it was probably because he thought you were an arse.
Just because a guy died does not mean it is an ‘automatic’ that people should speak well of him–one earns how he is remembered–you write your own legacy.
Only in our business could someone be skewered with impunity, on their way out. The ‘crowd” who worked with Dan is dwindling only in spirit, as the kind of projects he might have backed, have little chance of being made any more. I worked with him, knew him well, didn’t get along with him. And hope he’s got better things to do today, than read Nikki Fink.
hey..always a nice guy, & a gentleman……& gave me a big break as a rookie cop on “nypd” tv series in nyc in the 60’s……….& hey, nobody’s perfect………a legend………JACK ENGLISH II..BEV HILLS
i suppose i am part of that dwindling crowd that respected and liked Dan. He was a neighbor
of mine and i always had great respect for the longevity of his career in a more than difficult and cruel
business. He wore an ascot, always dressed beautifully and was quite gallant – a touch of old
Hollywood. No, I am not 108 years old, i just miss that bit of civility in life.
He had a wicked sense of humor, collected amazing art and loved his dog. i liked the guy and will
miss him.
sometimes you have to be a son of a bitch in business – i am sure Dan had his moments. who
hasn’t?
a bit of respect for a productive life well lived. please.
The diversity in comments about Dan is interesting with some seeing only is good side and others commenting on his less-than-flattering traits. I knew Dan personally for quite awhile (in the spirit of total disclosure I genuinely disliked him and his behavior towards certain people and I’m sure he knew it)and can say that while he was a talented producer who could be intelligent and insightful, he was usually not a very nice person to those working for him (not surpisingly, to his peers he was usually fine). I agree with the people here who feel that we create our own legacy in how we live our lives so if some choose to share their feelings about the man….regardless of his passing…as being less than favorable…then that does not mean they’re being disrespectful or kicking him on his way out. It simply means they’re commenting on a legacy Dan created himself through his behavior with them. As for the neighbor of Dan’s who liked him…..well, “please” yourself….you didn’t work with the man and dismissing his unflattering behavior as “everyone has their moments” comes from being ill-informed. Dan’s bad behavior with people he could push around and bully was more than just “moments” and many people knew it and cringed at it. Talented – yes. Passionate about what he believed in – absolutely. But to those he didn’t treat well (and it wasn’t just because he thought them all “arses”) I think his life can be seen as a cautionary tale of Hollywood, power frequently poorly used and a side of human nature we often don’t like to look at in this town. In my opinion the divergent comments here reflect an accurate portrait of an all too human, flawed individual who may have been successful but lost something along the way. His many “girlfriends” (let’s correct the Sherry Lansing’s “mentor” label here and now) could probably share a few thoughts on this subject and the comment on how creepy and divisive he could be. While I am genuinely sorry for the pain his family and true friends must be feeling, I just as genuinley believe in calling it like it is.
I was not anyone Danny Melnick needed to treat with respect but boy did he. Living at Sundance on Robert Redfords’ property and being the bookkeeper there…Danny came from time to time at Christmas. He was awesome….would remember things we had talked about the previous year?? I even kept him from missing his flight out of SLC. He was very appreciative. Others in the industry that came to visit were VERY forgetable. I will personally never forget him. Very sad at his passing.
Our family, the Krolls, go way back to the 1930’s when he was “Danny” Melnick, and his uncle, or grandfather, not sure which, was “Pop” Melnick and ran the summer camp in Lake Peekskill, NY called Camp Pecoho. We summered in that close and friendly community of homes and bungalows and my sister, Joan, and I, and cousin Kay Maibach, were among the very happy campers there for many years. Danny was tall, dark and handsome as I recall and had a beauty mark on his face. That’s how I remember Danny. Is there anyone left from the Camp Pecoho days? We’ve all followed his awesome career; sorry to hear that he died at such a young age.
sue. my family was also in lake peekskill and pecoho, the fishers and rosenzweigs. i started a group on fb if you want to join. i was young at the time but certainly remember pop melnick and the family.
I worked with Dan for several years as his interior designer, I must say that a lot of the time I did feel like an enabler, but that was okay, Dan really knew what he wanted. We designed and built many wonderful pieces of furniture and several great interiors together, a collaboration that I will always remember, with a man who was demanding, yet kind and generous.