Veteran celebrity agent Harry M. Miller dead at 84

Harry M Miller. Photo / Getty

Veteran celebrity manager Harry M. Miller has died at the age of 84.

The Kiwi manager, promoter and publicist represented a colourful and often controversial collection of public figures throughout his career, including Lindy Chamberlain and Judy Moran.

Harry Maurice Miller was born in Auckland, New Zealand on January 6, 1934, the only child of Jewish parents, Sadie and Jim Miller.

When Miller was 2-years-old his father, who worked as an indent agent, broke his spine in a fall. He died six years later.

"The Jewish community bundled me off to a Jewish orphanage in Wellington... called Dextons," Miller later recalled.

His first signing - four Maori singers known as the Howard Morrison Quartet - enjoyed local success.

Miller's first big-name act was US jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Miller travelled to the US to approach Armstrong's manager, Joe Glaser. When Glaser asked, "You got any bucks, kid?", Miller said he did not.

Miller recalled: "He thought it was so funny, that this kid was trying to buy Louis Armstrong, that he thought I should get it. And he did."

Armstrong toured in 1963 - the same year Miller moved to Australia, founding Pan Pacific Productions Pty Ltd with Keith and Dennis Wong, who owned Sydney's Chequers nightclub.

His career achievements were many and varied: He brought some of the world's biggest acts to Australia in the 1960s including The Rolling Stones and Beach Boys.

Miller brought out Judy Garland to do three concerts in 1964. Garland, a drug addict, held up for the Sydney Stadium shows, but the concert at Melbourne's Festival Hall was a shambles.

Miller stood near the back, "copping anger and abuse as the public filed out".

He's also credited with discovering a 16-year-old Marcia Hines in Boston, flying her to Australia to star in his production of Hair — a role that kickstarted her career down under.

In 1992, Miller produced the Australian national arena production of stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which became a massive hit with an all-star cast including John Farnham, Kate Ceberano and Jon Stevens.

He retired in 2009 and in 2011 revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia.

His agency, which represents stars such as TV host Osher Gunsberg and horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, says the "visionary" agent and theatrical producer died peacefully in Sydney on Wednesday.

"By his side were his long term partner Simmone Logue, daughters Justine, Brook and Lauren and their mother Wendy," his business HMMG said in a statement on Thursday.

Miller is survived by partner Simmone Logue and his five children - sons Simon and Miles and daughters Brook, Lauren and Justine.

Tributes are starting to flow in this morning:

Statement from HMMG CEO Lauren Miller confirming the passing of her father, Harry M Miller. pic.twitter.com/Wxb32aGKKo

— Sam Buckingham-Jones (@SamEBJones) July 4, 2018

Saddened to learn of the passing of #HarryMMiller. A great agent, manager and businessman. Most of all a great person and father. I always enjoyed our conversations. #RIP

— Quentin Kenihan ♿️ (@qkenihan) July 4, 2018

Sad to hear to news of the death of impresario/manager Harry M. Miller #harrymmiller - after living with dementia for many years. Thinking of his family. 🙏🏻 #RIP pic.twitter.com/VOgDCgVv2a

— Melissa Hoyer (@melissahoyer) July 4, 2018

Harry M Miller was a great showbiz character and a lovely, lovely man. It was a privilege to have known him. I loved my time working for Harry in the 90’s. Condolences to Lauren, Brooke, Simone and the family. Vale HMM.

— Peter Bridges (@PeterBridgesPR) July 4, 2018

- Additional reporting: Wires