Ken and I are excited to announce that Retrofan Magazine commissioned us to write an article on Cheryl Miller. Retrofan is a premier print publication covering favorite TV shows. When I noticed they had never written on Daktari, I pitched an article on Cheryl Miller and they accepted. I then immediately reached out to Ken as our resident expert on Daktari to write the article with me.
Although we reached out to Cheryl on two occasions, we were not able to talk with her. However, I did make contact with Ralph Helfer and got quotes and photos from him.
I have the best readers in the world, you guys are awesome! Theodor from Bavaria, Germany found this incredible interview with Dick Clark and Cheryl Miller in 1965, just after she had made “Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion.” Great story regarding her role on “The Monkey’s Uncle” and the chimp, Stanley. She mentions the second movie she was in as a baby, after “Casanova Brown.” Also, a tease about some recordings she made with MGM — where are they??
Walter unearthed this cool article; as you will see, it has some new information.
By DOUG BROWN
She has blue eyes. They sparkle. She has blonde hair. It glutens in the sunlight. She has personality, a charming smile, a determination, and a way with animals. Cheryl Miller sat in the shade at the Spa, very relaxed. She was here this week sampling the hotel health program.
The female lead star of television’s hit program “Daktari” has a five-week rest from filming in television’s Africa, the Mojave Desert here in California. She is a young actress obviously moving into a big future.
Before she made the Daktari scene she starred in “Clarence, The Cross-Eyed Lion,” the Disney comedy about a jungle animal doctor’s daughter who becomes the bosom pal of a cross-eyed lion. And there have been other animals in her life too. There have been six “Flipper” shows this season, and the monkey when she was in Disney’s “The Monkey’s Uncle.”
Los Angeles born Miss Miller had an early entry into show business. She started working twenty days after she was born. But her serious acting and stage and film work has been in the past five years.
SUNSHINE DAYS The spa Is really shining these days for Cheryl Miller, lovely young star of “Daktari,” television’s hit series this season. She has been enjoying the desert this past week at the Spa Hotel.
However, that first part came when a baby boy was needed who did not cry. Cheryl Miller didn’t cry. She had the part. Two years ago she auditioned for the part in the cross-eyed lion film. “It was funny how I got it.” she said. “The studio had been interested in several girts from London. They flew them over, but the lion wasn’t interested in them. Ivan Tors,the producer, asked me if I would go up to the lion. I did, and Clarence just rolled over and fell asleep in my lap. It was the first time he had ever done that I got the job,” she smiled.
“From then on Clarence became very possessive and would not let anyone come near me. Now I’ve been replaced and he’s that way with a sofa,” said the vibrant actress.
Of her successful series, the blue-eyed young lady commented: “It’s a wonderful experience to be in a series in a starring position, and to be in one that is a success.”
Daktari is one of the shows (and there are not many) that has been booked for next fall.)
About the big screen. Cheryl Miller said she would wait until next summer before making any more moves in that direction. “I am negotiating offers at the moment. I am really looking forward to it. Television has given me the biggest boost of my life, but of course I want too make more films,” she said. “I also hope to do musicals.”
Family Show
“Daktari is a family, educational show,” she said, in each of the episodes we try to inform about the various types of animals, their habits and the the methods used to capture, cure, and care for them.
In the big business of films and television all is not strawberries and honey. It has its rewards, which can be mighty material, but it also has its human and realistic risks. For instance, on location in the Mojave Desert this past year at Christmas and New Year’s Eve the cast and crew found themselves in the middle of a flood .”We were carried out on a fiat-, bed truck forty-five m rates before the dam broke. That was real-life adventure all right,” she recalled.
She is exuberant for life and enjoys every moment. “If you can’t enjoy it you might as well not be alive,” she smiled.
Cheryl Miller is very, very much alive. She is enjoying success. Inevitably she will enjoy much more.
Cheryl Lynn Miller was born in Sherman Oaks, CA, one of five children of an architect father and accountant mother (Elsie). As a mere infant she made her movie debut in Casanova Brown (1944). She was destined to become a popular ingenue of the mid-1960’s, in movies and on television, known for her healthy and wholesome beauty.
Early career
She graduated from Ulysses S. Grant High School favoring science and music. She pursued the latter at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music while taking occasional acting roles on series such as Bachelor Father, Our Man Higgins, The Donna Reed Show, My Three Sons, The Farmer’s Daughter, Leave It To Beaver and Perry Mason. She also did some modeling spots.
Breakthrough year
In the year 1965, a series of fortunate breaks eventually landed her as a series regular on Daktari. It began with two guest spots on Flipper (one spot being a three-part episode, “Flipper and the Elephant”). Her work with an elephant and a chimp caught the attention of producer Ivan Tors. He proceeded to cast her in the feature film Clarence, The Cross-Eyed Lion (1965) which became a breakout hit, spawning the TV series, Daktari.
Discovered by Disney
That same year she was discovered by Walt Disney and cast in a supporting role in The Monkey’s Uncle (1965) She was dubbed “The Typical American Girl.”
as Lisa in Disney’s The Monkey’s Uncle
Deb Star and Miss Golden Globe
In November of 1965, she was awarded the title of a Hollywood Deb Star of 1966; the group of a dozen actresses included Melody Patterson, Edy Williams, Peggy Lipton, and Sally Field. A television special, “Hollywood Deb Star Ball of 1966” ensured that January.
She was also named “Miss Golden Globe” in 1966, assisting Andy Williams in the presentation of the Golden Globe Awards.
Series hit
Daktari debuted mid-season in 1966 on CBS and was a surprise hit, achieving top ten status in the ratings by the second season. It spawned an industry of toys, trading cards, comic books, children’s books and the like. It lasted three and one half seasons, finally being cancelled in 1969.
Personal life
Miller was an active, athletic young woman and a bit of a daredevil who relished in making a splash. Blessed with a zest for life and passionate interests, she enjoyed many creative activities (including singing and designing her own dresses) along with sports such as skiing, jogging and horseback riding.
Love life
Cheryl Miller and Lt. Charles Hutter III
In 1966 she became engaged to Lt. Charles Hutter III who was stationed in Colorado in the Air Force. His doctor dad arranged a date between the two after treating Miller for a foot ailment. The two announced their engagement at a party on New Year’s Eve with the intention of marrying the following year. However, they called off the wedding several months later, “substituting friendship for marriage.”
After meeting on a blind date several months before, Miller married stockbroker Stanley Shapiro in December of 1968 wearing a backless white mini-gown. Three days later she broke her ankle and was told that Daktari had been cancelled. She and Shapiro would divorce in 1971.
Movie and TV appearances
Miller was picked up in 1969 by the short-lived daytime drama Bright Promise, playing the role of Samantha Pudding. She also worked regularly throughout the 1970s, mostly in guest starring roles:
Cade’s County
Love, American Style
Emergency!
Barnaby Jones
The Streets of San Francisco
The Wide World of Mystery
Gemini Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
Police Story
Movie appearances included:
Doctor Death: Seeker of Souls, as Sandy
Guardian of the Wilderness (aka Mountain Man) as Kathleen Clark
The Man from Clover Grove, as Millie Swickle
Mr. Too Little, as Carola
Revolution, as Cuffy* (as Miller’s name is common, there is some question about this. Blockbuster’s site listed it)
with Joan Parker as the Dodge “Fever” Girl
Branching out
In 1970-71, Miller took over for Joan Parker as the Dodge “Fever Girl,” appearing in magazine spreads, commercials and national car shows.
For a time she attempted a singing career making two appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson in 1972.
Final appearances
The year 1980 marked her last TV appearance in an episode of The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo. Her last movie appearance was in 1985 with Al Pacino in Revolution* (see above for note).
Oh! And the magazine was on display in Barnes & Noble!
Daktari TV Show 