Dan Tana, the renowned actor-turned-restaurateur behind the iconic West Hollywood eatery, has passed away at the age of 90, according to his staff’s Facebook announcement. Born Dobrivoje Tanasijević in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Tana was a former professional soccer player who later pursued an acting career and opened Dan Tana’s Restaurant in 1964.
The restaurant quickly became a hotspot for celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis. It was also featured on the classic TV show Vega$, with Robert Urich’s character named after Tana. Today, the restaurant is owned by his friend Sonja Perencevic, who has kept it unchanged since 1964.
Tana’s journey to success began as a dishwasher in Hollywood before moving up to become maître d’hôtel. He also had a feature film debut in 1957’s The Enemy Below and appeared in series like Peter Gunn. A Los Angeles Times review in 1966 propelled the restaurant to fame, and it drew famous patrons such as Elton John, Bette Midler, and Johnny Carson.
In addition to its celebrity clientele, Dan Tana’s Restaurant has named dishes after notable figures, including veal cutlets after Jerry Weintraub and George Clooney. Before his death, Tana sold the restaurant in 2009 and retired to Belgrade, Serbia.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/08/dan-tana-restaurateur-dead-1236490216