Dan Tana, who opened one of the most iconic restaurants in West Hollywood, has passed away at the age of 90.
The restaurant released a statement on Facebook, confirming that he passed away in Belgrade, Serbia.
“The great Dan Tana has passed on. We all know that he created a very magical place. Our beloved little yellow house will forever feel his presence,” the staff of Dan Tanaâs wrote. “DanTana was always proud of where he came from and what he accomplished, a former soccer star from Belgrade, Serbia. He played for the best teams in Europe.
“But, America was his dream. To survive, he supplemented his income as a packer in the Star Kist Tuna factory-where, presuma-bly, he learned something about good taste. He got a job washing dishes in Miceli’s pizza house on McAdam and Hollywood Boulevard,” they continued. “He got $9 a day. He moved up from waiter to maitre d’ / manager of a popular teen club called Peppermint West. He also took English lessons three days a week and took drama classes to. He had dreams of becoming an actor.”
“Dan didnât become an actor, but he sure hung out with major movie stars. Thatâs because Dan eventually worked for La Scala, The Villa Capri (a favorite of Jimmy Dean & OlâBlue Eyes), & Le Petit Jean. It was working for those classic eateries that encouraged him to open his own! And he did just that,” the statement added. “Dan had wonderful stories about Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, James Dean, Frank Sinatra, Lauren Becall, and Sammy Davis Jr . In fact Robert Urich’s character was named after Dan Tana on the classic TV show, ‘Vega$.’”
“Today Dan Tana’s is owned by his dear friend Sonja Perencevic who’s kept it exactly the same since 1964,” they concluded. “This man is a legend, and as you know a legend never dies. Dan is survived by his wife of 19 years Biljana and his daughters Gabrielle and Katerina.”
The History of Dan Tana’s
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesDan Tana’s was opened in 1964, when he took over Dominickâs hamburger stand on Santa Monica Boulevard, Variety details. Tana changed it to focus on New York Italian cuisine.
It later became a celebrity hot spot, with actors and studio executives coming because of its privacy.
The outlet added that “the restaurant drew loyal diners including Johnny Carson, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Jack Nicholson and Harry Dean Stanton, as well as numerous musicians who played at the nearby Troubadour.”
Fans Pay Tribute to Dan Tana After His Passing
Photo by Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images“One of the iconic restaurants,” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Sad to hear about Dan Tana’s passing,his restaurant was a true American gem, built by a man who embraced our culture while keeping his roots. RIP to a legend who showed how hard work trumps all!,” another fan posted.
Actor James Wood also posted about his dear friend.
“Maybe the saddest news I could share. I lost one of my dearest friends today. The legendary true force of nature, Dan Tana, has passed away. Dan and I met in 1992 and became lifelong buddies. In his last years he moved back to Belgrade, but we never lost touch. RIP, dear prince,” Woods wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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