Karl and I grew up in the same generation of Hollywood dog trainers. In fact, we occasionally reciprocated with animals and jobs, such as the time that Karl used my white German Shepherd as a body double in They Only Kill Their Masters. We first met in 1962 on the set of the Daniel Boone television series, starring Fess Parker. Karl worked with his dog, Bearheart.
Karl apprenticed under Frank Inn, who had apprenticed under my father, Rudd Weatherwax. During the Lassie series hiatus that year, Frank called Dad and told him that he had a young trainer who needed help with a dog. Dad gave the job to me, and the two of us young’uns hit it off. Dad saw Karl’s potential and knew he had the right stuff to become an excellent trainer. Over the years, Karl and I worked together on some projects, including a few Lassie episodes, the television series Run Joe Run, and the movie Return from Witch Mountain.
Karl’s forte was action-packed movies with macho dogs. He liked those breeds and those stories. Typical of this kind of credit were They Only Kill Their Masters, The Doberman Gang, Cujo, Cat’s Eye, The Amityville Horror, and Miller’s Crossing. But Karl’s strengths weren’t only displayed in blood-and-guts suspenseful films. He enjoyed family action films as well and brought joy and laughter as well as sympathetic tears through his work on WonTonTon: The Dog That Saved Hollywood, Stand By Me, the first Beethoven, and the two Babe movies.
Karl’s kennel set-up was similar to many of the well-respected Hollywood dog trainers. The kennel was on home turf. There may have been plenty of dogs outside, but there were always a fair number in the house with Karl’s family. Karl prided himself on being a good family man – a good husband to his wife Eileen for 40-some years and a good father to his son Karl Jr. and daughter Theresa. Just as with my family, dogs were the Miller family business for generations. Karl’s daughter has the same kind of golden touch with animals. Theresa has been in Europe for more than a decade working with German Shepherds on television.
Karl’s favorite dog was “Scruffy”. He was a natural, like my “O.J.”, who had the kind of look that producers and directors liked as well as the attitude and intelligence that made canine acting look simple, even at its most complicated. Before Karl became ill with the cancer that took his life, he and I were interviewed extensively for the documentary Hollywood’s Top Dogs, which was recently aired on Animal Planet.
Karl and I were good friends throughout our adult years and professional careers. We traded stories, talked about our dogs, and shared memories of the great ones in our line of work. I spoke at Karl’s memorial service, eulogizing him as always giving 100% to every dog and every job. He also gave 100% to his friendships, and I can attest to that.
April 29, 2008 at 2:35 am |
Hello. I am very sorry for the loss of your friend and colleague. My condolences.
It would be really interesting to hear more about your experiences and key learnings as a hollywood dog trainer. Bet you have some great stories. If you have any that include Dobermans, I would be very interested in that! In fact, I’d love to interview you for my blog, Doberman Heroes
July 24, 2008 at 3:00 am |
As an avid watcher of Komissar Rex I was able to get in touch with Mr. Miller’s daughter who is filming in Italy now. I am a great dog lover and enjoy all the series. I am sorry about Mr. Miller and have learned a great deal from the internet about dog training. My basic training was for field trial Labradors a kong time ago, but now only have my two loves-Boston Terriers, Hannah and Adam.
Sincerly, Alixe Sears
P.S. If there are family photos of the Millers I would love to have one. Thank you
October 18, 2008 at 12:01 am |
Sorry to hear of karl miller passing I didn’t hear a word about it on the news. how long ago did he pass.
A Lassie fan and someone who apprieciate’s trainers like Karl and you Bob
LOL
Michele
March 12, 2009 at 6:16 am |
I am writing an article about the making of the film Babe and would like to include a photo of Karl Miller – does anyone have contact details for his family, or know where I could source a hires image. (The article is being published in a magazine about the film in Deagostini’s Classic Australian Movie Collection, being published here in Australia.
Thank you.
Alex
March 29, 2009 at 8:33 pm |
Carl was a great man, I worked for him at his home kennel in sun valley for about a year, 5 years ago. He inspired me. I was fired while Mr. Miller was working out of the country, due to what i would like to think was a simple clash of personalities with myself and Teresa. He inspired me then, and still does to this day. His entire family are wonderful, and I’m very sad that i wont be seeing anymore of his work on the big screen. Condolences to his entire family. Especially the grandchildren, whom i adored.
June 2, 2009 at 12:40 am |
Dear,. Bob my name is Henry R. East JR, my dad SR..tought your dad Rudd ,dog training Asta, In the thinman movies was my dads dog. And many other old movies. Just thought i would drop a note because i was reading your blog and it said your dad, Rudds, dog Asta, in the thin man movies