Dan Tana: A Legendary Figure in Hollywood
Dan Tana, the founder of the iconic West Hollywood restaurant Dan Tana, passed away on Saturday in Belgrade at the age of 90. The restaurant, which has been a celebrity hangout since the 1960s, announced his passing with a heartfelt message.
Early Life and Career
Tana was born Dobrivoje Tanasijević in Yugoslavia, near Belgrade. He later moved to Canada and Americanized his name. Tana’s early career was in acting, and he took lessons with Jeff Corey, whose students included Natalie Wood, Kim Novak, and Angie Dickinson. He made his screen debut in "The Enemy Below" and appeared in several TV series, including "The Untouchables," "Rin Tin Tin," and "Peter Gunn."
The Birth of Dan Tana Restaurant
In search of acting work, Tana began washing dishes at Patsy d’Amore’s Villa Capri in Hollywood and later became the Maitre D’ at La Scala in Beverly Hills. In 1964, he opened his own restaurant, Dan Tana, in a bungalow on Santa Monica Boulevard. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among celebrities, including Johnny Carson, John Wayne, and Kirk Douglas.
A Celebrity Hangout
Dan Tana’s restaurant was known for its New York-style Italian cuisine and its discreet service, which made it a magnet for actors and studio executives who valued their privacy. The restaurant’s loyal guests included Jack Nicholson, Harry Dean Stanton, and numerous musicians who played at the nearby Troubadour. The Veal Chop Alla George Clooney was named after the frequent patron, and Dabney Coleman was a regular, eating the New York steak several times a week for many decades.
Legacy and Later Life
Tana was not only involved in the restaurant business but also had a passion for football. He was the manager of the Los Angeles Toros in the 1960s and chairman of the English team Brentford. He also owned several football clubs in Belgrade. Tana sold the restaurant to Sonja Perencevic in 2009 and retired to Belgrade, where he passed away on Saturday. The restaurant remains a beloved institution in West Hollywood, and Tana’s legacy lives on through the countless memories and stories of the celebrities who frequented his establishment. As the restaurant said in a statement, "A legend never dies."
