Tennessee Journalism Hall Of Fame

“Recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding skill in their Journalism field”

DAN MILLER

Apr 26, 2013 at 12:30 am by Hooper


Dan Miller is perhaps best known for his work at WSMV, Channel 4 in Nashville, and was one of Tennessee's premier broadcasters before his passing in 2009. He was the recipient of multiple Emmy Awards, including being the first on-air personality to win the prestigious Governor's Award for lifetime achievement.

Prior to working in Nashville, Miller worked at stations in his hometown of Augusta, Ga., and in Columbia, S.C.

Miller was voted Best News Anchor in Nashville more than 20 times in local publications, and in 1986, he was recognized by Television/Radio Age as the Most Popular News Anchor in the United States.

He first came to Channel 4 as a weathercaster in 1969, and moved to the news anchor desk in 1970.

After spending 16 years as primary news anchor and seven years hosting the enormously popular "Miller & Company" talk show, Mr. Miller left in 1986 to become principal anchor at KCBS in Los Angeles.

He later moved to the CBS Entertainment Division, and joined his friend and WSMV colleague Pat Sajak on the late-night "Pat Sajak Show."

During his five years in Los Angeles, Miller appeared on The CBS Morning Show and Hollywood Squares.

He was a guest and frequent substitute host on the Tom Snyder ABC radio show and later appeared with Snyder on his CNBC cable talk show.

Miller hosted and narrated a PBS Special "Patients Without Doctors" and appeared in the CBS movie "The Dottie West Story."

After returning to Nashville in 1992, Mr. Miller resurrected his talk show "Miller & Company" on TNN.

He rejoined WSMV as news anchor in 1995 and landed an exclusive interview with the parents of murdered 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in 1999. That interview led to appearances on NBC's Dateline, NBC Nightly News, MSNBC and "Larry King Live" on CNN.

Miller was a prolific essayist, and "Dan Miller's Notebook: Musings on Life From Both Sides of the TV Screen," let the public glimpse a side of a nationally-recognized new anchor not often seen.

Dan is survived by his wife, Karen, four children and three grandchildren.

Throughout his career Dan Miller distinguished himself by outstanding service to the profession of journalism, and brought great honor to himself, his community and the State of Tennessee.

Sections: Members | 2013