Dan Tana Death: Hollywood Mourns Late-Night Dining Icon and Restaurant Founder

The red leather booths at Dan Tana’s Restaurant in West Hollywood dimmed a little brighter this weekend. Dan Tana, the charismatic former actor and maître d’ who transformed a simple Italian eatery into a legendary Hollywood sanctuary for stars craving pasta and privacy after midnight, died at age 90. The iconic restaurant he founded in 1964 announced his passing in a poignant Facebook post on Saturday, stating simply: “It is with heavy hearts that we share our beloved Dan Tana passed on.” Staff affirmed the establishment, famed for hosting legends from Frank Sinatra to Jack Nicholson, “will forever feel his presence.”

How Did Dan Tana Revolutionize Hollywood Dining?

Arriving in Los Angeles after a career as a professional soccer player in Yugoslavia, Tana honed his hospitality skills as maître d’ at legendary spots like La Scala and Villa Capri. He spotted a glaring gap in 1964: nowhere for industry insiders to dine well past conventional hours. “There was not a decent restaurant serving until 1 a.m. You had to go to a coffee shop,” Tana recalled in a 2014 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He took over the former Dominick’s on Santa Monica Boulevard, keeping the kitchen firing until 12:30 a.m. – a radical move that cemented its status.

Tana’s vision fused Old World charm with Hollywood buzz. The intimate “little yellow house,” adorned with checkered tablecloths, Chianti bottles dangling from rafters, and just 17 tables, became an instant haven. Staff noted in their tribute how Tana’s “wonderful stories” about Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, James Dean, and Sammy Davis Jr. were legendary, reflecting the caliber of clientele he attracted through personal warmth and discretion. “He was always proud of where he came from and what he accomplished,” the restaurant’s statement emphasized.

Why Does Dan Tana’s Restaurant Remain an Enduring Institution?

Even after Tana sold the restaurant in 2009 to longtime employee Sonja Perencevic and moved to Belgrade, Serbia, its soul remained untouched. Perencevic vowed – and delivered – on keeping the magic alive. “She kept it exactly the same since 1964,” the staff’s Facebook post affirmed. Tana himself expressed delight in 2014, telling THR, “I’m happy… nothing has changed.” Current owner Perencevic acknowledged initial skepticism but preserved every detail: the unchanged menu, the red booths, the late-night hours, and dishes named for regulars like the “Veal Parmigiana Jerry Weintraub” or the “18 oz. New York Steak Dabney Coleman.”

Generations of stars have broken bread within its walls. Actor Harry Dean Stanton, a decades-long patron, told THR in 2014, “I’ve been coming here so long, it’s part of my whole lifestyle.” Cameron Diaz had her first L.A. meal there at 16, marveling years later, “It feels like you walked right into the moment it was conceived.” Nick Styne likened the atmosphere to “those New York Italian places where everybody is family.” Tana even recounted Drew Barrymore being changed as a baby on the bar – a testament to its role as a Hollywood family hearth. “We are still serving my original customers – and their children and grandchildren,” Tana noted proudly in 2014. His legacy even inspired Robert Urich’s character name, Dan Tanna, in the 1970s TV series Vega$.

This man is a legend, and as you know a legend never dies. Dan Tana crafted more than a restaurant; he built a timeless, tomato-sauce-scented refuge where Hollywood’s glitterati could shed their personas over hearty Italian fare deep into the night. His vision for authentic hospitality and late-night community endures at 9071 Santa Monica Boulevard. Experience a slice of his legacy – reserve a table at Dan Tana’s and savor the history.

Must Know

Q: Who was Dan Tana?
A: Dan Tana was a Yugoslavian-born former soccer player, actor, and maître d’ who founded the iconic Dan Tana’s Restaurant in West Hollywood in 1964. He passed away at age 90, as announced by the restaurant on July 6, 2024.

Q: What made Dan Tana’s Restaurant famous?
A: It became a legendary Hollywood institution by serving high-quality Italian food until 12:30 a.m. – a rarity in 1960s LA. Its intimate, unchanged ambiance attracted stars like Frank Sinatra, Jack Nicholson, and Cameron Diaz for decades, offering privacy and tradition.

Q: Is Dan Tana’s Restaurant still open?
A: Yes. Dan Tana sold the restaurant to longtime employee Sonja Perencevic in 2009. She has meticulously preserved its original decor, menu, and operating hours, maintaining its status as a beloved industry landmark.

Q: Did Dan Tana inspire any pop culture references?
A: Yes. Robert Urich’s character in the late 1970s TV series Vega$ was named Dan Tanna, directly inspired by the restaurateur and his establishment’s Hollywood cachet, as reported by entertainment sources.

Q: What are signature features of Dan Tana’s Restaurant?
A: The restaurant retains its 1964 character: a small, yellow house with red leather booths, checkered tablecloths, Chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, and classic dishes like veal parmigiana. Many menu items are named after famous patrons.

Q: Where can I learn more about Dan Tana’s legacy?
A: The restaurant’s official Facebook page shares historical anecdotes and tributes. Reputable publications like The Hollywood Reporter have extensively covered its history and Tana’s impact on LA dining culture.