A Hollywood legend passed away over the weekend.
Dan Tana, the man who opened the famous Santa Monica Boulevard eatery Dan Tana’s has died.
“The great Dan Tana has passed on. We all know that he created a very magical place,” a statement on the restaurant’s Facebook page explained on Aug. 16. “Our beloved little yellow house will forever feel his presence.”
In 1964, he opened the West Hollywood eatery, which has been frequented by celebrities for decades. The restaurant began as a late-night gathering spot for stars, with the kitchen staying open until 12:30 a.m.
The idea was a success, with big names like Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Frank Sinatra and more becoming fans.
Born Dobrivoje Tanasijević in Serbia, Tana became a soccer star playing for various teams in Europe.
“But, America was his dream. To survive, he supplemented his income as a packer in the Star Kist Tuna factory-where, presumably, he learned something about good taste. He got a job washing dishes in Miceli’s pizza house on McAdam and Hollywood Boulevard. He got $9 a day. He moved up from waiter to maître d’ / manager of a popular teen club called Peppermint West. He also took English lessons three days a week and took drama classes too. He had dreams of becoming an actor,” the post continued. “Dan didn’t become an actor, but he sure hung out with major movie stars. That’s because Dan eventually worked for La Scala, The Villa Capri (a favorite of Jimmy Dean & Ol’Blue Eyes), & Le Petit Jean. It was working for those classic eateries that encouraged him to open his own! And he did just that.”
In 2009, Tana sold the restaurant to his friend Sonja Perencevic, and moved overseas.
The location remains a hot spot to this day.
“This man is a legend, and as you know, a legend never dies,” his staff said in the post.
Tana passed away at 90 years old in Belgrade, Serbia. He’s survived by his wife of 19 years, Biljana, and his daughters Gabrielle and Katerina.
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