Sidney Miller
Sidney Miller
Background information
Fullname
Born
Died
Cause of death
Nationality
AmericanAlternate names
Occupation
Family information
Children
Miller was born inPennsylvania. His parents were Carl and Bessie Miller, immigrants from eastern Poland, whose families had brought them to theUnited States as teenagers. Sidney had two older sisters, Sarah and Florence. Their father was a moderately successful tailor, who owned a house and shop, but in1930, he sold both and took the family out west to Los Angeles.
Miller began his Hollywood career as an actor in small roles and changed his name to "Sidney". Among his acting credits includedBoy's Town,Babes in Arms,Strike Up the Band,Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever, andBabes on Broadway with close friendMickey Rooney. Within Rooney's entourage, Miller expanded his other talents in films, such as a lyricist for several songs Rooney composed for his films. He continued acting despite joining the army and began transition to radio and television where his began his directing career.
While working withDonald O'Connor onThe Colgate Comedy Hour, Miller was recruited by Disney to direct new episodes ofMickey Mouse Club. During his tenure, Miller helped implement changes on the show to gain appeal to a teenage audience and with new found creative control, he hired people, such as writers Larry Orenstein, Ray Brenner, andTom Adair, and choreographerTom Mahoney, to help revamp the show's look. He would appear on the show as a performer on occasion, but Miller was very demanding when directing the children. He was proposed to directBabes in Toyland andRainbow Road to Oz, but as these ideas fell through, Miller had left the studio.
While still acting, Miller continued to be a prolific director for television shows, such asThe Ann Sothern Show,Please Don't Eat the Daisies,My Favorite Martian,Bewitched,McHale's Navy,Dr. Kildare,The Addams Family,The Monkees, andGet Smart before his retirement in the1990s. He diedJanuary 10,2004 inLos Angeles of Parkinson's disease.
Filmography[]
| Year | Film | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1955-1957 | Mickey Mouse Club | Director Actor: "Guest Star Day: Judy Canova, Tweeny England" "Guest Star Day: Sidney Miller" |
| 1956 | Adventure in Dairyland | Cameo appearance |
| 1957 | The Wonderful World of Disney | Director: "The Fourth Anniversary Show" |
| 1995 | The Mickey Mouse Club Story | Himself - Interviewee |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Miller was acquainted with Disney director William Beaudine Sr. prior toMickey Mouse Club with the latter directing him in several shorts.
