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| {{disline|For other people with the same last name, see: [[Miller]].}}
| | : ''For other people with the same last name, see: [[Miller]].'' |
| {{Cast Data | | |
| | {{Crew Data |
| | image= Colonelsydell.jpg | | | image= Colonelsydell.jpg |
| | character=Colonel [[Jack Sydell]] | | | role= |
| | series= 1980 | | | series= 1980 |
| | born_month=02 | | | born_month=02 |
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| | site=http://www.allanmiller.org/ | | | site=http://www.allanmiller.org/ |
| | imdb= 0587863 | | | imdb= 0587863 |
| | sortkey=Miller, Allan
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| | nocat=Y
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| }} | | }} |
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| '''Allan Miller''' (born February 14, 1929) is an American stage, film, and television actor who portrayed Colonel [[Jack Sydell]] in ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Miller is equally renowned as an accomplished director, acting teacher, playwright, and cultural institution founder. | | '''Allan Miller''' (born February 14, 1929) is the actor who portrayed Colonel [[Sydell]] in ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. |
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| == Biography ==
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| === Early Life and Military Service ===
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| Born on February 14, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, Miller is the son of Benedict and Anna (née Diamond) Miller.<ref group="external" name="miller_filmreference_biography">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/40/Allan-Miller.html|title=Allan Miller Biography (1929-)|publisher=Film Reference|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller served in the U.S. Army after World War II during the occupation of Japan. Noticing an advertisement in ''Stars and Stripes'' that was looking for performers, he began performing in shows to entertain the troops.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_bio">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=Miller%20served%20in%20the%20U.S.%20Army%20after%20World%20War%20II%20during%20the%20occupation%20of%20Japan|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| === Training and Early Career ===
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| Following his military service, Miller studied with some of the most distinguished acting teachers of his generation. He trained with [[w:Lee Strasberg|Lee Strasberg]] at the [[w:Actors Studio|Actors Studio]], [[w:Uta Hagen|Uta Hagen]] at [[w:HB Studio|HB Studio]], and Erwin Piscator at the Dramatic Workshop.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_training">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=He%20studied%20with%20Lee%20Strasberg%20at%20the%20Actors%20Studio%2C%20Uta%20Hagen%20at%20HB%20Studio%2C%20and%20Erwin%20Piscator%20at%20the%20Dramatic%20Workshop|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller spent the 1950s studying at the Actors Studio under Strasberg, becoming a member of the prestigious organization in his twenties.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_ringside_actors_studio">{{cite web|url=https://ringsidereport.com/?p=113510#:~:text=When%20I%20became%20a%20member%20of%20The%20Actor%27s%20Studio%20in%20my%2020s|title=Allan Miller: Actor's Studio, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, The Fox & More…|publisher=RingSide Report|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| During his time at the Actors Studio, Miller's classmates included [[w:James Dean|James Dean]], [[w:Marilyn Monroe|Marilyn Monroe]], and [[w:Paul Newman|Paul Newman]]. Miller recalled that Monroe "emanated sadness" and that no one sat near her in class until one day he decided to socialize with her. When he approached, she "lit up and called me by name to ask if I'd like to sit with her." Miller discovered that Monroe had memorized almost everyone's name in the sessions.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_marilynreport_monroe_memory">{{cite web|url=https://themarilynreport.com/2022/07/05/allan-miller-remembers-marilyn-and-her-feline-friends/#:~:text=Marilyn%20emanated%20sadness%3B%20and%20no%20one%20sat%20near%20her%20in%20class%2C%20until%20one%20day%20I%20decided%20to%20socialize%20a%20little%2C%20and%20when%20I%20got%20near%20her%2C%20she%20lit%20up%20and%20called%20me%20by%20name%20to%20ask%20if%20I%E2%80%99d%20like%20to%20sit%20with%20her.%20It%20turned%20out%20she%20had%20memorized%20almost%20everyone%E2%80%99s%20name%20in%20the%20sessions|title=Allan Miller Remembers Marilyn … and Her Feline Friends|publisher=The Marilyn Report|date=July 5, 2022|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Monroe planned to bike ride across the Brooklyn Bridge to take two recently born kittens from Miller's apartment in Brooklyn back to her hotel to care for them, but the hotel refused to let her bring them in.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_marilynreport_kittens">{{cite web|url=https://themarilynreport.com/2022/07/05/allan-miller-remembers-marilyn-and-her-feline-friends/#:~:text=She%20actually%20was%20going%20to%20bike%20ride%20across%20the%20Brooklyn%20Bridge%20to%20take%20two%20recently%20born%20kittens%20from%20my%20apartment%20in%20Brooklyn%20back%20to%20her%20hotel%20to%20mother%20them.%20The%20hotel%20refused%20to%20let%20her%20bring%20them%20in|title=Allan Miller Remembers Marilyn … and Her Feline Friends|publisher=The Marilyn Report|date=July 5, 2022|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Regarding James Dean, Miller noted that Dean was "very short sighted, and commented rarely, but when he did it was very pointed and pertinent."<ref group="commentary" name="miller_marilynreport_james_dean">{{cite web|url=https://themarilynreport.com/2022/07/05/allan-miller-remembers-marilyn-and-her-feline-friends/#:~:text=Dean%20was%20very%20short%20sighted%2C%20and%20commented%20rarely%2C%20but%20when%20he%20did%20it%20was%20very%20pointed%20and%20pertinent|title=Allan Miller Remembers Marilyn … and Her Feline Friends|publisher=The Marilyn Report|date=July 5, 2022|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Miller did not make his television debut until 1967, when he appeared in an episode of the CBS soap opera ''[[w:The Edge of Night|The Edge of Night]]''.<ref group="external" name="miller_rottentomatoes_debut">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/allan_miller_2#:~:text=not%20making%20his%20television%20debut%20until%20he%20appeared%20in%20a%201967%20episode%20of%20the%20then%2DCBS%20soap%20opera%20%22The%20Edge%20of%20Night.%22|title=Allan Miller Movies & TV Shows List|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| == Career ==
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| === Acting ===
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| ==== Film and Television ====
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| Now retired from acting, Miller worked for decades as an actor, appearing in over two hundred films and television productions.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_two_hundred">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=He%20has%20acted%20in%20over%20two%20hundred%20films%20and%20television%20productions|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> His last film was ''[[w:Bad Words (film)|Bad Words]]'' (2013), directed by [[w:Jason Bateman|Jason Bateman]].<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_bad_words">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=His%20last%20film%20was%20Bad%20Words%20directed%20by%20Jason%20Bateman|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| His film career included notable roles in ''[[w:Baby Blue Marine|Baby Blue Marine]]'' (1976), ''[[w:Two-Minute Warning|Two-Minute Warning]]'' (1976), ''[[w:Fun with Dick and Jane (1977 film)|Fun with Dick and Jane]]'' (1977), ''[[w:MacArthur (film)|MacArthur]]'' (1977), ''[[w:Cruising (film)|Cruising]]'' (1980), ''[[w:Star Trek III: The Search for Spock|Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]'' (1984), and ''[[w:Brewster's Millions (1985 film)|Brewster's Millions]]'' (1985).<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_film_credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=He%27s%20also%20appeared%20in%20Star%20Trek%20III%2C%20The%20Champ%2C%20MacArthur%2C%20Bound%20for%20Glory%2C%20Fun%20with%20Dick%20and%20Jane%2C%20Cruising%2C%20Two%20Minute%20Warning%20and%20Baby%20Blue%20Marine|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Through these films, he shared screen time with such luminaries as [[w:Gregory Peck|Gregory Peck]] (''MacArthur''), [[w:Al Pacino|Al Pacino]] (''Cruising''), and [[w:Richard Pryor|Richard Pryor]] (''Brewster's Millions'').<ref group="external" name="miller_rottentomatoes_costars">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/allan_miller_2#:~:text=On%20the%20cinematic%20front%2C%20he%20shared%20screen%20time%20with%20Gregory%20Peck%20(%22MacArthur%22)%2C%20Al%20Pacino%20(%22Cruising%22)%2C%20and%20Richard%20Pryor%20(%22Brewster%27s%20Millions%22)|title=Allan Miller Movies & TV Shows List|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Miller's television work was extensive, with his earliest spots appearing in primetime crime dramas including ''[[w:Starsky and Hutch|Starsky and Hutch]]'' and ''[[w:Kojak|Kojak]]'', science fiction series such as ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' as the perpetually hapless Colonel [[Jack Sydell]], and sitcoms including ''[[w:Soap (TV series)|Soap]]'' (1980-1981).<ref group="external" name="miller_rottentomatoes_tv_early">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/allan_miller_2#:~:text=Miller%27s%20earliest%20television%20spots%20were%20in%20primetime%20crime%20dramas%20(%22Starsky%20and%20Hutch%22%3B%20%22Kojak%22)%2C%20sci%2Dfi%20series%20(%22Battlestar%20Galactica%22)%2C%20and%20sitcoms%20(%22Soap%22)|title=Allan Miller Movies & TV Shows List|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He played Inspector Cramer in the television series ''[[w:Nero Wolfe (1981 TV series)|Nero Wolfe]]'' on NBC.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_ringside_nero_wolfe">{{cite web|url=https://ringsidereport.com/?p=113510#:~:text=He%20played%20Inspector%20Cramer%20in%20the%20TV%20show%20%22Nero%20Wolfe%22|title=Allan Miller: Actor's Studio, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, The Fox & More…|publisher=RingSide Report|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller is perhaps best known on television for playing Harland Richards in the NBC soap opera ''[[w:Santa Barbara (TV series)|Santa Barbara]]''.<ref group="external" name="miller_rottentomatoes_santa_barbara">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/allan_miller_2#:~:text=Best%20known%20for%20playing%20Harland%20Richards%20in%20the%20NBC%20soap%2C%20%22Santa%20Barbara%22|title=Allan Miller Movies & TV Shows List|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Notable among Miller's television work was his experience on ''[[w:Barney Miller|Barney Miller]]'', where he appeared in four episodes. He described the experience as "like rehearsing a play every time," noting the terrific cast and guest stars and the hurried rehearsal schedule that sometimes went on until 3 AM.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_ringside_barney_miller">{{cite web|url=https://ringsidereport.com/?p=113510#:~:text=Barney%20Miller.%20I%20did%20four%20of%20them%2C%20and%20it%20was%20like%20rehearsing%20a%20play%20every%20time|title=Allan Miller: Actor's Studio, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, The Fox & More…|publisher=RingSide Report|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| ==== Stage Work ====
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| Miller performed on stages across the country and on Broadway, appearing in dozens of plays.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_dozens_plays">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=and%20dozens%20of%20plays|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> His stage credits include ''Curve of Departure'' at [[w:South Coast Repertory|South Coast Repertory]], ''[[w:Awake and Sing!|Awake and Sing]]'' at the [[w:Odyssey Theatre Ensemble|Odyssey Theatre]], ''[[w:Broadway Bound|Broadway Bound]]'' at La Mirada Theater, ''Three Views of the Same Object'' at [[w:Rogue Machine Theatre|Rogue Machine Theatre]], and the title role of Willie Loman in ''[[w:Death of a Salesman|Death of a Salesman]]'' at South Coast Rep.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_stage_credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=On%20stage%2C%20he%20was%20in%20Curve%20of%20Departure%20at%20South%20Coast%20Rep%2C%20Awake%20and%20Sing%20at%20the%20Odyssey%20Theatre%2C%20Broadway%20Bound%20at%20La%20Mirada%20Theater%2C%20Three%20Views%20of%20the%20Same%20Object%20at%20Rogue%20Machine%20Theatre%20and%20played%20Willie%20Loman%20in%20Death%20of%20a%20Salesman%20at%20South%20Coast%20Rep|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Most notably, Miller co-starred in the Broadway production of ''Broadway Bound'' and appeared in ''[[w:Brooklyn Boy|Brooklyn Boy]]'' by [[w:Donald Margulies|Donald Margulies]], playing the role of Manny Weiss at the [[w:Biltmore Theatre|Biltmore Theatre]] in New York City.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_broadway_bound">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/#:~:text=He%20also%20co%2Dstarred%20in%20the%20Broadway%20production%20of%20Broadway%20Bound%2C%20and%20Brooklyn%20Boy%20by%20Donald%20Margulies|title=Allan Miller|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| === Directing ===
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| Miller was the artistic director of the Back Alley Theatre, which he created and ran with his wife, Laura Zucker, from 1979 to 1989.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_back_alley">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=Mr.%20Miller%20was%20the%20artistic%20director%20of%20the%20Back%20Alley%20Theatre%20for%20ten%20years|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> For his work at the Back Alley Theatre, he received the LADCC (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle) Margaret Hartford Award for Distinguished Achievement.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_ladcc_award">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=for%20which%20he%20received%20the%20LADCC%20Margaret%20Hartford%20Award%20for%20Distinguished%20Achievement|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| At the Back Alley, Miller directed more than a dozen productions, including ''Are You Now or Have You Ever Been...'' and ''The Fox'', for which he received an LADCC award for direction.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_back_alley_productions">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=At%20the%20Back%20Alley%20he%20directed%20more%20than%20a%20dozen%20productions%2C%20including%20%E2%80%9CAre%20You%20Now%20or%20Have%20You%20Ever%20Been%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D%20and%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Fox%E2%80%9D%2C%20for%20which%20he%20received%20an%20LADCC%20award%20for%20direction|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He was also one of the primary plaintiffs in a landmark lawsuit between [[w:Actors' Equity Association|Actors' Equity Association]] and Los Angeles-based small theaters, focused on the Equity Waiver Plan.<ref group="external" name="miller_wikipedia_equity_lawsuit">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Miller#:~:text=He%20was%20also%20one%20of%20the%20primary%20plaintiffs%20in%20a%20landmark%20lawsuit%20between%20Actors%27%20Equity%20Association%20and%20Los%20Angeles%2Dbased%20small%20theaters%2C%20focused%20on%20the%20Equity%20Waiver%20Plan|title=Allan Miller|publisher=Wikipedia|date=September 26, 2025|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Other directing credits include ''The Fox'' Off-Broadway at the [[w:Roundabout Theatre Company|Roundabout Theatre]] and at the [[w:Berkshire Theatre Festival|Berkshire Theatre Festival]], ''Camping with Henry and Tom'' at the [[w:Westport Country Playhouse|Westport Playhouse]], and ''[[w:A Perfect Ganesh|A Perfect Ganesh]]'' by [[w:Terrence McNally|Terence McNally]] (nominated for eight LADCC awards).<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_directing_credits">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=Other%20directing%20credits%20include%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Fox%E2%80%9D%20Off%2DBroadway%20at%20the%20Roundabout%20Theatre%20and%20at%20the%20Berkshire%20Theatre%20Festival%2C%20%E2%80%9CCamping%20with%20Henry%20and%20Tom%E2%80%9D%20at%20the%20Westport%20Playhouse%2C%20and%20%E2%80%9CA%20Perfect%20Ganesh%E2%80%9D%20by%20Terence%20McNally%20(nominated%20for%20eight%20LADCC%20awards)|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He has directed nine productions at the Odyssey Theatre, including ''[[w:Juno and the Paycock|Juno and the Paycock]]'', ''This Lime Tree Bower'', ''Taking Steps'', and ''First Love''.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_odyssey_productions">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=He%20has%20directed%20nine%20productions%20at%20the%20Odyssey%20Theatre%2C%20including%20most%20recently%2C%20Juno%20and%20the%20Paycock%2C%20This%20Lime%20Tree%20Bower%2C%20Taking%20Steps%2C%20and%20First%20Love|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He also directed ''[[w:Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?|Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?]]'' for the Actors Studio West.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_virginia_woolf">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWho%27s%20Afraid%20of%20Virginia%20Woolf%E2%80%9D%20by%20Edward%20Albee%20for%20the%20Actors%20Studio%20West|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| === Playwriting ===
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| Miller wrote the play ''The Fox'', based on the [[w:D. H. Lawrence|D.H. Lawrence]] novella of the same name. He began looking for material to act that was not [[w:Anton Chekhov|Chekhov]], [[w:Arthur Miller|Arthur Miller]], or [[w:Tennessee Williams|Tennessee Williams]], and re-read short stories he enjoyed, including Lawrence's ''[[w:The Fox (novella)|The Fox]]''.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_ringside_fox_origin">{{cite web|url=https://ringsidereport.com/?p=113510#:~:text=When%20I%20became%20a%20member%20of%20The%20Actor%27s%20Studio%20in%20my%2020s%2C%20I%20began%20looking%20for%20material%20to%20act%20that%20was%20not%20Chekov%20or%20Arthur%20Miller%20or%20Tennessee%20Williams%2C%20so%20I%20began%20to%20re%2Dread%20short%20stories%20I%20liked%20a%20lot.%20One%20was%20the%20D.H.%20Lawrence%27s%20novella%2C%20The%20Fox|title=Allan Miller: Actor's Studio, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, The Fox & More…|publisher=RingSide Report|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| ''The Fox'' has been produced by theaters in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Fort Worth, Austin, San Francisco, San Diego, and most of the fifty states, including the territory of Puerto Rico.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_fox_productions">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=which%20has%20been%20produced%20by%20theatres%20in%20Atlanta%2C%20Philadelphia%2C%20Seattle%2C%20Fort%20Worth%2C%20Austin%2C%20San%20Francisco%2C%20San%20Diego|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> The play has been optioned internationally in France, Germany, Belgium, Hong Kong, Canada, and Argentina, and has toured England and Australia.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_fox_international">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=has%20been%20optioned%20internationally%20in%20France%2C%20Germany%2C%20Belgium%2C%20Hong%20Kong%2C%20Canada%2C%20and%20Argentina.%20The%20play%20has%20toured%20England%20and%20Australia|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> It has been translated into French, Spanish, German, and Chinese,<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_fox_translations">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=has%20been%20translated%20into%20French%2C%20Spanish%2C%20German%2C%20and%20Chinese|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> and has been published by [[w:Samuel French|Samuel French]] in an acting edition, Doubleday for the Fireside Book Club, and the California Arts Council's ''West Coast Plays''.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_fox_published">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20published%20by%20Samuel%20French%20in%20an%20acting%20edition%2C%20Doubleday%20for%20the%20Fireside%20Book%20Club%2C%20and%20the%20California%20Arts%20Council%27s%20West%20Coast%20Plays|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| === Teaching and Cultural Leadership ===
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| ==== Acting Instruction ====
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| Perhaps most impressive is the roster of acclaimed actors who have studied under Miller's direction. His students have included [[w:Barbra Streisand|Barbra Streisand]], [[w:Dustin Hoffman|Dustin Hoffman]], [[w:Meryl Streep|Meryl Streep]], [[w:Geraldine Page|Geraldine Page]], [[w:Lily Tomlin|Lily Tomlin]], [[w:Sigourney Weaver|Sigourney Weaver]], [[w:Peter Boyle|Peter Boyle]], [[w:Rue McClanahan|Rue McClanahan]], [[w:Dianne Wiest|Dianne Wiest]], and [[w:Bruce Davison|Bruce Davison]].<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_famous_students">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=Other%20well%20known%20students%20over%20the%20years%20included%20Dustin%20Hoffman%2C%20Meryl%20Streep%2C%20Geraldine%20Page%2C%20Lily%20Tomlin%2C%20Sigourney%20Weaver%2C%20Peter%20Boyle%2C%20Rue%20McClanahan%2C%20Dianne%20Wiest%2C%20and%20Bruce%20Davison|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Miller's relationship with Barbra Streisand began when she was only fifteen years old. At the request of his wife at the time, Anita Cooper, Miller gave Streisand a scholarship to one of his classes after having her to dinner. Streisand attended all his classes and became their live-in babysitter.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_ringside_streisand_scholarship">{{cite web|url=https://ringsidereport.com/?p=113510#:~:text=Barbra%20was%20only%2015%20when%20she%20started%20studying%20with%20me%2C%20at%20the%20request%20of%20my%20wife%20at%20the%20time%2C%20Anita%20Cooper.%20After%20having%20her%20to%20dinner%20with%20us%2C%20I%20was%20so%20taken%20with%20her%20na%C3%AFvet%C3%A9%20and%20curiosity%2C%20that%20I%20gave%20her%20a%20scholarship%20to%20one%20of%20my%20classes|title=Allan Miller: Actor's Studio, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, The Fox & More…|publisher=RingSide Report|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He coached Streisand from the time she was fifteen through the opening of ''[[w:Funny Girl|Funny Girl]]'' on Broadway.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_streisand_funny_girl">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=Barbra%20Streisand%2C%20who%20he%20coached%20from%20the%20time%20she%20was%20fifteen%20through%20the%20opening%20of%20Funny%20Girl%20on%20Broadway|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Streisand described Miller as "the person who changed her life," crediting him with helping her discover that life doesn't have to have "regimentation or meaningless boundaries."<ref group="commentary" name="miller_hollywood_network_streisand_quote">{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodnetwork.com/actingcoach/index.html#:~:text=Barbra%20Streisand%20described%20Allan%20Miller%20as%20the%20person%20who%20changed%20her%20life|title=Allan Miller - The Person Who Changed Barbra Streisand's Life|publisher=Hollywood Actors Network|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller is prominently featured in Streisand's autobiography, ''My Name Is Barbra''.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_streisand_autobiography">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=He%20is%20prominently%20featured%20in%20Barbra%20Streisand%27s%20autobiography|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| With Meryl Streep at Yale, Miller recalled that her nickname on the faculty was "The Ice Queen"—brilliant but cold. He believed he was the first instructor to almost make her cry.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_ringside_streep_ice_queen">{{cite web|url=https://ringsidereport.com/?p=113510#:~:text=With%20Meryl%2C%20at%20Yale%2C%20her%20nickname%20on%20the%20faculty%20was%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Ice%20Queen%2C%E2%80%9D%20brilliant%20but%20cold.%20I%20believe%20I%20was%20the%20first%20one%20to%20almost%20make%20her%20cry|title=Allan Miller: Actor's Studio, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, The Fox & More…|publisher=RingSide Report|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| In 1965, Miller was part of the inaugural program teaching acting for the federal agency HARYOU-ACT at the New Lafayette Theatre in Harlem, where he established an acting company of teenagers that included [[w:Antonio Fargas|Antonio Fargas]].<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_haryou_act">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=In%201965%20he%20was%20part%20of%20the%20inaugural%20program%20teaching%20acting%20for%20the%20federal%20agency%20HARYOU%2DACT%20at%20the%20New%20Lafayette%20Theatre%20in%20Harlem%2C%20where%20he%20established%20an%20acting%20company%20of%20teenagers%20that%20included%20Antonio%20Fargas|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Miller teaches acting privately and at colleges and professional schools, including [[w:Circle in the Square Theatre School|Circle in the Square]], the Actors Studio (where he has been a moderator as well as an instructor), [[w:Yale School of Drama|Yale School of Drama]], [[w:New York University|New York University]]'s MFA professional program, the Focus Theatre in Dublin, and the International Actors group in Rome.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_teaching_institutions">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=He%27s%20taught%20at%20The%20Actors%20Studio%2C%20where%20he%20was%20a%20moderator%20as%20well%20as%20an%20instructor%2C%20and%20at%20the%20Yale%20School%20of%20Drama%2C%20New%20York%20University%27s%20MFA%20professional%20program%2C%20the%20Focus%20Theatre%20in%20Dublin%2C%20and%20the%20International%20Actors%20group%20in%20Rome|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He continues to teach acting and coach privately, offering free weekly Zoom classes through his website.<ref group="external" name="miller_imdb_zoom_classes">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587863/bio/#:~:text=He%20still%20teaches%20acting%20and%20coaches%20privately.%20Students%20can%20sign%20up%20for%20his%20free%20weekly%20Zoom%20class%20on%20his%20website%3A%20allanmiller.org|title=Allan Miller - Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Miller's work as a master teacher is featured in the compilation book ''A New Generation of Acting Teachers'', published by Penguin.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_penguin_book">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=His%20work%20as%20a%20master%20teacher%20is%20featured%20in%20the%20compilation%20book%2C%20%E2%80%9CA%20New%20Generation%20of%20Acting%20Teachers%2C%E2%80%9D%20published%20by%20Penguin|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| ==== Symphony Space Co-Founder ====
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| In 1978, Miller co-founded [[w:Symphony Space|Symphony Space]], a multi-disciplinary performing arts organization on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, with his neighbor and friend [[w:Isaiah Sheffer|Isaiah Sheffer]].<ref group="production" name="miller_symphonyspace_history">{{cite web|url=https://www.symphonyspace.org/about/our-history#:~:text=On%20January%207%2C%201978%2C%20the%20conductor%20Allan%20Miller%20and%20his%20neighbor%2C%20playwright%20and%20director%20Isaiah%20Sheffer%20rented%20the%20decrepit%20theatre|title=History|publisher=Symphony Space|date=July 22, 2025|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> On January 7, 1978, Miller and Sheffer rented the decrepit Symphony Theater for $300 for a one-day event called "Wall to Wall Bach," a free 12-hour music festival featuring audience participation.<ref group="production" name="miller_iloveupperwestside_wall_to_wall">{{cite web|url=https://www.ilovetheupperwestside.com/an-unknown-history-of-symphony-space/#:~:text=On%20Saturday%2C%20January%207%2C%201978%2C%20Isaiah%20and%20Allen%20rented%20the%20Symphony%20Theater%20for%20%24300|title=An Unknown History of Symphony Space|publisher=I Love the Upper West Side|date=November 20, 2023|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| The event was so successful that Miller and Sheffer immediately decided to lease the building and transform it into a permanent cultural venue.<ref group="production" name="miller_symphonyspace_success">{{cite web|url=https://www.symphonyspace.org/about/our-history#:~:text=So%20successful%20was%20the%20event%2C%20that%20Sheffer%20and%20Miller%20immediately%20decided%20to%20lease%20the%20building%20and%20transform%20it%20into%20a%20permanent%20cultural%20venue|title=History|publisher=Symphony Space|date=July 22, 2025|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller served as co-Artistic Director of Symphony Space alongside Sheffer for ten years, from 1978 to 1988.<ref group="production" name="miller_symphonyspace_board">{{cite web|url=https://www.symphonyspace.org/about/board-staff#:~:text=Allan%20Miller%20Co%2DFounder%20and%20Co%2DArtistic%20Director%20(1978%2D1990)|title=Board & Staff|publisher=Symphony Space|date=May 1, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller resigned as co-artistic director of Symphony Space in 1991.<ref group="production" name="miller_nypl_archives_resignation">{{cite web|url=https://archives.nypl.org/mus/23344#:~:text=Allan%20Miller%20resigned%20as%20co%2Dartistic%20director%20of%20Symphony%20Space%20in%201991|title=Symphony Space records|publisher=New York Public Library Archives|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| === Author and Publications ===
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| Miller is the author of ''A Passion for Acting: Exploring the Creative Process'', now in its third printing and recently released digitally on Amazon.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_passion_acting">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=He%20is%20the%20author%20of%20A%20Passion%20for%20Acting%3A%20Exploring%20the%20Creative%20Process%20now%20in%20its%20third%20printing|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He also created a DVD titled ''The Craft of Acting: Auditioning''.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_auditioning_dvd">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=and%20a%20DVD%2C%20Auditioning|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| === Professional Associations ===
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| Miller is a member of the [[w:Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] and has served on the Board of Directors of the [[w:Screen Actors Guild|Screen Actors Guild]].<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_professional_associations">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=Mr.%20Miller%20is%20a%20member%20of%20the%20Academy%20of%20Motion%20Picture%20Arts%20and%20Sciences%2C%20has%20served%20on%20the%20Board%20of%20Directors%20of%20the%20Screen%20Actors%20Guild|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He has been a panelist for the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and the California Arts Council.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_official_panelist">{{cite web|url=https://allanmiller.org/biography/#:~:text=and%20has%20been%20a%20panelist%20for%20the%20City%20of%20Los%20Angeles%20Cultural%20Affairs%20Department%20and%20the%20California%20Arts%20Council|title=Biography|publisher=Allan Miller Official Website|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| == Personal Life ==
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| Miller has been married twice.<ref group="external" name="miller_wikipedia_marriages">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Miller#:~:text=Miller%20has%20been%20married%20twice|title=Allan Miller|publisher=Wikipedia|date=September 26, 2025|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> His first marriage lasted 18 years and produced two sons, Gregory and Zachary, and two grandsons.<ref group="external" name="miller_filmreference_children">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/40/Allan-Miller.html#:~:text=children%3A%20Gregory%2C%20Zachary|title=Allan Miller Biography (1929-)|publisher=Film Reference|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_first_marriage">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=He%20was%20married%20before%2C%20for%2018%20years%2C%20and%20has%20two%20sons%20and%20two%20grandsons|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Miller met Laura Zucker in 1972 when she was 21 and he was 43. She was a graduate student studying acting at Yale, and he had been hired by the Yale School of Drama to coach the directing students on how to work with actors.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_meeting_yale">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=In%201972%2C%20Laura%20Zucker%2C%20then%2021%2C%20met%20Allan%20Miller%2C%20then%2043%2C%20when%20both%20were%20at%20Yale.%20She%20was%20a%20graduate%20student%20studying%20acting%2C%20and%20he%20had%20been%20hired%20by%20the%20Yale%20School%20of%20Drama%20to%20coach%20the%20directing%20students%20on%20how%20to%20work%20with%20actors|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller recalled that he met Zucker shortly after separating from his first wife, and was not looking for a relationship but simply "someone to have dinner with before I went to see a student's show."<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_not_looking">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=I%20met%20Laura%20shortly%20after%20I%E2%80%99d%20just%20separated%20from%20my%20first%20wife|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He noted that Zucker "was very generous to the other actors, and had no ego drive. There was a warmth about her."<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_warmth">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=Laura%20was%20very%20generous%20to%20the%20other%20actors%2C%20and%20had%20no%20ego%20drive.%20There%20was%20a%20warmth%20about%20her|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| At the end of the 1972 academic year, they both left Yale and moved into an apartment together. The following year they moved to Los Angeles so Miller could pursue an acting career, driving cross-country with no air-conditioner and no radio in July.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_cross_country">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=At%20the%20end%20of%20the%20year%2C%20they%20both%20left%20Yale%20and%20moved%20into%20an%20apartment%20together.%20The%20following%20year%20they%20moved%20to%20Los%20Angeles%20so%20Mr.%20Miller%20could%20pursue%20an%20acting%20career.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20drove%20cross%2Dcountry%20with%20no%20air%2Dconditioner%20and%20no%20radio%20in%20July|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| They were married in Beverly Hills, California, in the home of Zucker's sister. Due to a mistake involving a "fake rabbi" (who was actually a lawyer and friend of Zucker's brother-in-law), the couple uses two wedding dates: January 24 and 25, 1976, with January 25 being the legal date.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_wedding_dates">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=Because%20of%20a%20mistake%2C%20the%20couple%20use%20two%20wedding%20dates%3A%20Jan.%2024%20and%2025%2C%201976.%20But%20Jan.%2025%20is%20the%20legal%20date|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> The marriage had to be finalized the next day when Zucker's uncle, George Zucker, then a Beverly Hills judge, noticed the certificate wasn't properly signed and performed a second ceremony at a small reception.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_second_ceremony">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=When%20Uncle%20George%20looked%20at%20the%20marriage%20certificate%2C%20he%20realized%20it%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20finalized.%20After%20asking%20us%20if%20we%20take%20each%20other%2C%20et%20cetera%2C%20Uncle%20George%20signed%20the%20marriage%20certificate%20and%20then%20said%2C%20%E2%80%9CNow%20you%E2%80%99re%20married|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| As of 2018, Miller and Zucker had been married for over 42 years.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_42_years">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=Their%20Marriage%2042%20years%2C%203%20months%20and%20counting|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> Miller reflected on their relationship: "I've become more flexible and honest. I stopped exaggerating or lying. I can count on her support... I learned we couldn't go to bed angry. If she was mad I couldn't sleep."<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_reflection">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=I%E2%80%99ve%20become%20more%20flexible%20and%20honest.%20I%20stopped%20exaggerating%20or%20lying.%20I%20can%20count%20on%20her%20support|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> He noted that in the first couple of years, he thought Zucker might "get tired of being with an older guy," but added, "I have a young spirit. Somehow the life I was offering her was adventurous to her."<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_young_spirit">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=After%20I%20realized%20how%20young%20she%20was%2C%20I%20thought%20during%20the%20first%20couple%20of%20years%20she%20would%20get%20tired%20of%20being%20with%20an%20older%20guy|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> The couple walk together every morning or night, with Zucker sometimes "teasingly smack[ing] me across the chest to make sure I'm not drowsing along."<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_walks">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=We%20walk%20together%20every%20morning%20or%20night.%20Sometimes%20she%E2%80%99ll%20teasingly%20smack%20me%20across%20the%20chest%20to%20make%20sure%20I%E2%80%99m%20not%20drowsing%20along|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| Zucker works in Los Angeles as an arts management consultant at AEA Consulting.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_zucker_career">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=She%20works%20in%20Los%20Angeles%20as%20an%20arts%20management%20consultant%20at%20AEA%20Consulting|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref> The couple decided not to have children together, though Miller was completely open to it.<ref group="commentary" name="miller_nytimes_no_children">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/fashion/weddings/age-difference-didnt-matter-then-or-now.html#:~:text=He%20was%20completely%20open%20to%20having%20more%20children%2C%20I%20decided%20not%20to.%20It%20wasn%E2%80%99t%20right%20for%20me|title=Age Difference Didn't Matter Then, Or Now|author=Alix Strauss|publisher=The New York Times|date=August 8, 2018|accessdate=November 3, 2025}}</ref>
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| == References ==
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| === Production History ===
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| {{reflist|group=production}}
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| === External Sources ===
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| {{reflist|group=external}}
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| === Commentary and Interviews ===
| | {{stub}} |
| {{reflist|group=commentary}} | |
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| == External links ==
| | {{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Allan}} |
| *[http://www.allanmiller.org/ Official website]
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| *{{imdb name|id=0587863|name=Allan Miller}}
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| [[Category:A to Z]] | | [[Category:A to Z]] |
