PETER MINER Obituary

MINER--Peter. (May 3rd, 1930 - March 26th, 2020). A beloved acting teacher and esteemed director, passed away after a brief illness. Following a distinguished career in television, he dedicated himself to teaching at Columbia University's Graduate Film School and T. Schreiber Studio. During his television career, he directed One Life to Live (awarded two Emmys and eight nominations), produced Dark Shadows and Hey Cinderella (featuring Jim Henson's puppets); aired the first Marvel animated series, Spider-Man; directed and produced numerous short films, TV series and plays. The son of Worthington Miner and Frances Fuller, he had his Broadway debut in "On Borrowed Time" at the age of eight, where director Joshua Logan described him as "the best child actor I ever saw." Throughout his career, teaching and mentoring actors and directors was a passion and a calling. He joyfully dedicated his heartfelt focus to this role, developing a loving and talented following. His first wife, "Mimi" passed away in 1970. He is survived by his wife, Diane who partnered with him in teaching; children Peter, Caroline, Robert, James and Rachel; son-in- law Shaughan, daughters-in-law Joan and Rosemary; grandchildren Caila, Peter and Zachary and sister Margaret. A memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks. Donations can be made to: www. doctorswithoutborders.org, www.dscc.org www.randomacts.org

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Published by New York Times on Apr. 5, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for PETER MINER

11 Entries

Keith Smith

May 10, 2025

The most important person in my life. My heart will never except his loss.... love to Diane.

Jill Voigt Zaitchick

March 1, 2024

He was my friend--and teacher--director--- for awhile, but I always loved and admired him. Jill Voigt Zaitchick

Caitlin Kelly

March 30, 2022

I will always consider myself fortunate to have had the honor of being taught by Peter. He was a brilliant director, superb teacher, but more important, he was a man whose kindness was infectious. He had a way of making you feel that you were the only person in the room when he offered critique and his giving spirit is still an inspiration to me so many years later. I will never, never forget this darling, sweet and enormously talented man. I thank God every day for him. Diane, holding you in my heart.

Ben Henderson

October 26, 2021

Peter directed my plays and inspired me to write more. He was the perfect mentor: patient, bit stern, full of ideas, nurturing. He told me once I have a lot to say, and those words gave me the motivation to keep writing. "Don't change a comma," he'd say. "It's finished. Hands off." Brilliant, sensitive man, so keyed in to what actors and writers are doing. Knew when we needed to rein ourselves in. Deepest gratitude to my mentor, teacher and most of all good friend.

Stephen Olsen

May 20, 2021

God Peter could direct acting! He was that rare, fluent director and teacher. He didn’t pause or look up to God for the answer or ramble until he figured out what he would do. He always knew exactly what to do to make the moment work, on camera, despite how unusual it felt shooting it—because he knew how the camera saw everything. He made me feel like I was as talented as the greatest actors that ever lived, which I think was part of his strategy—get the best performances from actors never made to feel they can’t do it, but made to feel they were born for this. He made me want to do it his way like it mattered more to me than anything. It was heaven to be directed by him. My condolences.

Christine Tuttle

May 19, 2021

I am so sorry to hear this news. I reached out to Peter a few years ago as we are third cousins thought never met (through his late father Worthington Cogswell Miner to Dr. Julius Francis Miner to Dr. David Worthington Miner...) and when I emailed him to share the family lineage in 2017, he picked up the phone and called back with a friendly, hearty laugh and we had a lengthy chat about ancestors which was terrific. My condolences.

Jill Voigt

October 1, 2020

Peter befriended me at a time in my life when his friendship actually changed my life. He was also one of my Director's on One Life To Live. He was a kind and very creative man. I learned a lot from working with him, --and also enjoyed knowing his wonderful family.

April 20, 2020

Peter was the most encouraging teacher and one of the kindest men I've ever met. His talent was limitless. He was one of those people who had the rare gift of making a person feel that they were the most important person in the room. He was a kind, loving and good, good man.

Nicholas Besink

April 13, 2020

I worked with Peter on Dark Shadows. He was always kind, and very professional. A nice guy.

April 6, 2020

Our love and heartfelt condolences to your family.
The Bastress Family

Erika Slezak

April 5, 2020

God bless you Peter. I was lucky and privileged to have had you as a director for many years on One Life To live and I treasure our time together on the show. A wonderful, sensitive, intelligent and very talented man. My heart goes out to Diane and his whole family. A wonderful human being who will be missed.

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