Mark Miller of ‘Please Don’t Eat the Daisies’ Dies @ 97

Mark Miller, who played wholesome suburban dad Jim Nash on TV's Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1965-1967), died September 9 at his Santa Monica home of natural causes.

Oh, father ... (Image via NBC)

He was 97.

Miller's daughter, actress Penelope Ann Miller, announced his passing.

Born in Houston on November 20, 1924, he studied acting in New York City, working with the likes of Grace Kelly (they dated) before being placed on the TV series Guestward Ho! (1960-1961) by Desi Arnaz.

He became a familiar face on the boob tube, on everything from The Andy Griffith Show (1961) to The Twilight Zone (1963).

But it was Daisies — adapted from the best seller and the 1960 film of the same title — that was his most high-profile gig, at least in front of the camera.

After the series about a family of six and their pooch Ladadog ended prematurely (58 episodes), the victim of a time-slot change, Miller focused on writing and producing, including Ginger in the Morning (1974), one of Sissy Spacek's early spotlight roles.

He also co-wrote and acted in Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy (1981) and the family classic Savannah Smiles (1982). At 97, he was working on a sequel to the latter at the time of his death.

His biggest success may have been the 1995 Keanu Reeves starrer A Walk in the Clouds, which he co-wrote.

Miller celebrating a birthday with his daughter Penelope Ann (Image via Instagram)

Miller was married and divorced twice. His son, Gabe Miller, preceded him in death. He is survived by his three daughters from his first marriage, and by his six granddaughters.

1 Response

  1. What about Irene Pappas?

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