'Full House,' Broadway producer Thomas Miller dies at 79
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Thomas L. Miller, who produced a string of hit TV comedies included 'œFull House'ť and 'œPerfect Strangers'ť before beginning a new chapter as a Broadway producer, has died. He was 79.
Miller died Sunday in Salisbury, Connecticut, from complications of heart disease, a spokeswoman for Miller's family said Wednesday.
The Wisconsin native moved to Los Angeles in 1962 and began his Hollywood career in style, working for Billy Wilder during the four-year period in which the famed director made 'œThe Fortune Cookie'ť and 'œIrma la Douce.'ť Their friendship lasted until Wilder's death in 2002.
Miller worked at 20th Century Fox and Paramount Studios, where he developed programs including 'œThe Odd Couple'ť and 'œLove, American Style,'ť before striking out as an independent producer. He and his early business partner, Edward K. Milkis, worked with Garry Marshall on sitcoms including 'œHappy Days,'ť 'œLaverne & Shirley'ť and 'œMork and Mindy.'ť
Miller and Milkis also produced films including 'œSilver Streak'ť and 'œFoul Play."
After forming a production company with Robert L. Boyett, the pair co-created the Tom Hanks sitcom 'œBosom Buddies'ť before joining with Lorimar Television (later Warner Bros. Television) to make 'œFull House'ť and 'œPerfect Strangers.'ť
Miller and Boyett, personal and professional partners for 40 years, produced Netflix's 'œFuller House,'ť a 'œFull House'ť sequel that debuted in 2016 and is to conclude this year.
'œThomas Miller was born to entertain, infused with irrepressible passion and love for bringing joy to others through his life's work,'ť including TV series that will 'œlive long in the collective memory of fans around the world,'ť Warner Bros. Television Group said in a statement.
In 2000, Miller moved east to work in theater, collaborating with Boyett on productions including 'œWar Horse,'ť the 2011 Tony winner for best play, the Tony-nominated 'œTootsie,'ť a current revival of 'œCompany'ť and the upcoming 'œMrs. Doubtfire."
A private burial for Miller, whose survivors include Boyett, is to take place in his hometown of Milwaukee.