The Blog of Death

I am saddened to hear of the untimely death of Dan Cracchiolo. Here is a quick story about how wonderful he was, a few years ago he very kindly helped me with information for a project Timothy Dalton was working on called 'Made Men' for Decade Pictures, I had to send him a fax but had not asked how to spell his surname, so I had to call him back to ask him, and three times he spelt it for me, and he took the time to teach me that in future I must do my homework, ask first time how to spell somebodys name, and find out all about the person you are going to talk to in advance. I listened to him and I learnt from him and I have been doing my homework ever since and have not made any further mistakes.
I know with your enthusiasm and the upbeat person you were that you will be always be sadly missed, and I will never forget you or the help that you gave me.

Rest in peace Dan.

Debra Best
Co-ordinator, The Timothy Dalton Chat Group.

I’ve been a friend to Dan for over 10 years. He recommended me to RADA in London when I was 16. I remember when he just started with Joel Silver and was living with his friend Tom in a rented house behind a taco place off Sunset. Back then he said, Carlos Santana was the one who gave him the inspiration from going to ICM to producing. Santana told him everyone in life has a choice to be an artist or a con artist. This encounter really struck a cord with Dan’s ethos. At one time in my life I was living in L.A. and down the street from him for a year, which I never saw him. On my last day before heading back to Miami I called him on a whim to say I was leaving. He invited me over to his palatial apt. on Sunset and Doheny. After giving me a tour and explaining how busy he was, I was lead into a bedroom-sized closet with sleek mahogany inlaid shelves. There he passed me a Daytona Rolex and told me he was truly upset for not keeping in touch and how he was a bad friend and in good gesture he wanted me to take this. Surprised at such a gift I refused and told him you’re a bleep, bleep but I could never take this from you and I understand and accept his apology. After much prodding I took the Rolex and thanked him and as he walked out of the closet he said, “by the way it’s a fake.”
The look on my face was priceless; supposedly Jet Li did the same thing to him after filming Rome Must Die.
I was in Germany when I found out about his un timely death and was unable to make it in time for his funeral. I will always remember, he was fantastic at telling stories and always had his keys hanging around his neck.

With Love,
Katrina Rank

Lots of people knew Dan and his many sides. He was a complex and multi-dimensional man of many talents. He was a man who was/could be many things to the many people in his life.....

To his employees that worked for him at his awsome penthouse home/office in Beverly Hills, he could could be an ABSOLUTE tirant....or a lovable one....depending on if you did your job right or if you got to know him & his gruffy nature had grown on you. (And to those of you that did work for him at the penthouse, I'm the "poolhouse girl" with the long, red, curly hair that couldn't find her way out.)

To the movie industry, he was a catalyst that DEFINITELY kept the industry and it's players on their toes. He has forever elevated and revolutionized the writing and making of movies. He didn't believe in limits nor was he defined by expectation in writing or movie making. The legacy he forged, before his untimely death, will not soon be forgotten.

To the movie viewers, he was one of the driving forces behind the madness & glory that made you LOVE movies again. He revolutionized movie making & elevated the standards that you have come to EXPECT from movies today.

Unfortunately, I don't think ENOUGH people were lucky enough to meet and know the amazingly (and surprisingly) sweet, kind, passionate, & insanely funny man that I came to know as PHD. He was a man who had an unconditional and undying friendship/love for those he cared for. I knew him as Dan the Man, PHD (Penthouse Daddy), a pain in my ass, the ONE friend (the REAL & RARE kind...ESPECIALLY in Hollywood or LA) in my life that made me take inventory of my life and either made me re-evaluate & make some very necessary changes to it or made damn sure I appreciated everything I had. These memories must now fill the space that his presence, friendship & love once inhabited.

I am (and will always be) TRUE friend of this man and his memory. Though I had not spoken to him for a while (the last 6 months) before he died, the minute I heard that died, I was reduced to tears and continue to be so. As I am writing this posting, I am harshly reminded of the fact that my BAD-ASS friend, Dan (a.k.a PHD), is no longer just a phone call away. Just like every time I watch the last whispers of a night sky evolve from the sleepy face dawn into the glorious spectrum of sunrise. EVERY time I see this, I will think of the first time he brought this simple, yet beautiful act of nature to my attention....But most of all, it will ALWAYS remind me of the friend that I have lost...the friend that will never watch another night turn into day.

I miss you Dan....I'm sure I'm not the only one. Sleep well and with peace, my prince....I mean, my PHD...my friend...

With love & friendship, always....

Patty

dear dan,
whereever you are now, i know that wonderful essence of yours, that devilish enthusiasm, wisdom of ages and the charm of , well you, is making that place a lot more tolerable for the rest. The memories I have will have to serve as my once a day (night) fix. I really miss you man and wish I knew why life threw this fucking curveball at you, me, and everyone who knew and loved you. I'm going back from whence I came, disillusioned, frustrated as hell at god and the universe and mostly just really really sad at having lost a brother and best friend. life ain't the same now. I'm going to try to start a new one in your loving memory, and make you proud. The world is so much less without you. Just like JFK huh..., who would of fucking guessed the good guys would lose in this one. Somewhere, some place you'll be better than ever and on top of the tallest hopes and dreams. WHerever you are brother,I hope to join you some time and comiserate about hollywood etc, til then, I will always remember the lessons I learned from you, with you, and for you, and always kick ass in your absence.
p.s . Don't forget the yellow suitcase!!

Bone

DEEPLY.........DEEPLY..........DEEPLY. MISSED. TO THAT LAST PERSON I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE, FOR SOMETHING SUCH AS THIS, TO BE TRUE. STILL IN MUCH DENIAL. DRY EYES,HEART ACHE,MEMORIES IS ALL THAT IS LEFT OF YOU. ....WHEREEVER YOU ARE.THE REALIST MUTHERFUCKER I KNEW. YOU'LL NEVER BE REPLACED OR FORGOTTEN, YOUR PASSION AND MEMORY WILL WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON INSIDE OF ME. I DID CARE AND STILL DO."LUV" YOU FOREVER. SOON TO MAKE YOU SMILE FOR ME.
P.S. IS ALL THAT GLITTER GOLD???

I just heard about Dan's death yesterday...TRULY SHOCKING! I am deeply saddenned by the news and I will miss the cool conversations we had together. A truly nice human being...he even helped a friend of mine financially a week or two later after I introduced them...how many people do that in this world or Hollywood for that matter? I know, NOT Many!

To his family my deepest condolences.

I will miss talking to you.

Ferdinand

Dan finally was laid to rest yesterday, the last day of November at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. His grave is right across the street from the Old North Church, facing west toward the studios he loved so much. To his friends and associates in the movie business, his mother, brother and I appreciate your comments and gestures of caring made on his behalf. He was blessed to have known so many people, to have worked with so many people and to have made on impact on you. I remember him as a little brother, sometimes bratty, sometimes cool, but always on the go! Always cooking up a scheme, trying to make money, trying to corral his friends, many times in trouble, many times hurt - the visits to the emergency room became almost routine. I'm glad he touched your lives, and that you can take away lessons learned. That's what would make him proud. Thank you all for your love for him!

Lisa Cracchiolo Tush

Dan was the ONE great love of my life...and I will forever miss him. I believe I am the woman I am today, because of Dan. He was the man who shaped me. Taught me. Showed me. Loved me. And I will never forget him because he will always live inside of me. His voice, laughter and smile will echo throughout my lifetime.

I love you Daniel Keith Cracchiolo...and one day I will meet up with you again...'Somewhere over the rainbow...way up high'...and we will laugh.

May you now finally rest in peace my friend.

Forever your girl, Kami

xo

RIP man! You were a good friend and I will never forget you. Your friends and family should be proud. I'll miss you my brother.

Duke

i just stumbled across this and some other sites dedicated to you dan and i can't believe you're really gone. i heard the news the other day and i think i'm still in a fog about the whole thing. i can't believe you're dead. i hadn't spoken to you in a while and i had only seen you a few times over the past 10 or 11 years, but everytime i saw you, you made me feel like no time had passed. you always welcomed me with open arms. you were the most upbeat alive person i had ever known and you showed me so many things in life that normally would have gone un-noticed. things i took for granted that you made me realize were important. you saw things others didn't. you were the one person who knew me, even when i didn't know myself. i'm now married and you would love her dan. she's sweet and kind. we're going to have a baby and in honor of you, i'd like to name him dan. i hope that's okay. maybe he could carry on where you left off. i'm proud to have known you. i hope you felt the same. and wherever you are now, i hope you're okay. bj.

Dan came into my life with a bang and went out with a bang. He could never be anything less than incredibly dramatic! What can I say... he was one of the most special, inspiring, talented, mind-blowing, gifted human beings I have ever come across and I loved him from the second I saw him. For the brief moment that he would show you his true heart it was worth it all - good and bad. I remember I once said, to be loved by Dan was like floating in cotton, that's how much love he had to give and how much warmth he had to spread. I remember one morning I had puffy eyes, I had an allergy or something. Immediately Dan marched into the kitchen and minutes later came out with a boiled tea bag. He instructed me to put it over my eye and rest my head back and just let it sit, in fact I think he did it for me. I just looked at him and thought "oh tough guy, you are so soft...." I love you Dan. Always have, always will.

fuck man. i still cant seem to acknowledge your absence as permanent. i know change is good, but this is ridiculous. i love you. til when we meet, i'll proud you make

you are truly the shit and too good for this world of coconuts. can't wait to share in your next mastery

love me

dan.
where are you now? there seems to be some kind of blurrification. i love you and miss you. the kind motherfucker you were, doesn't exist anymore. the wise motherfucker you were, i know not. the funny mfk i wish still lived in this world is gone but whose legification will always live throughout the universe.

dumb time persists. my heart still bursts. til that great sun rises again shall we laugh.

bonification

Happy Birthday dear boy. Today is your FIRST Birthday...gone from us. I hope that wherever you are, you'll be celebrating it in true Dan style.

I miss you...still.

And I think about you every day.

Happy Birthday.

xo

Kami

happy birthday dan. this is the first year of your new life. i miss you.

You would have turned 40 today. I'm sorry you didn't make it. Happy Birthday.

dear dan, as you know, we visited you at your new "digs." our love for you in this realm is laden with the grief of your absence, but in no way measures the blessed affirmation of afterlife with which you grace us. This is a real happiness that restores a reason for being in this realm that I was losing touch with. Thank you, brother from the core of my soul.
You told me in a dream it doesn't mean anything. Now i know i'll always see you, and that nothing has stopped, just changed form, and confirms your magic ascent through time and space, and your love., Real love for us makes heaven as easy to have as it is to close my eyes, when you bring it us in so many ways.
Ain't so bad, ain't so bad, dog. til i see or sense you again, i can't wait, but forever will I, patiently, like stone
love bone

I discovered last week that Dan had died. I read about it on the Internet. Like everyone else I didn’t get to say goodbye. For years I wanted to reach out and say hello. I tried once to call a studio were he was working. I got his voice mail but I didn’t leave a message. Tired back a month or so later and was told he wasn’t there any longer. I guess I waited too long. I missed our friendship and the youth we shared.

We meet in first grade. Back then he was Danny and I was Robbie. For eight years we celebrated each other’s birthdays. Then he went to Pali and I to Loyola. We still hung out a bit in High School. We shared our first cigarette. We were even busted once for being stupid. I was probably a bad influence. Dan was a cool kid and I wanted to be more like him.

We both went to college in San Diego. I went to USD and he SDSU. That was the last time I saw him. We spoke a few more times… I think the last time I tried to reach him it was through a Christmas card I sent to his mother’s house in the Canyon.

Over the years, I would think of Dan. Mostly, I would think of him around his birthday. At the beginning of each year I copy birthday information down from my old desk calendar to the new. I’ve been doing that since college. Generally, I call and wish a Happy Birthdays to those who are on the list. In Dan’s case, I’d just wonder how he was doing and silently wish him my best.

I’ll continue to do so…

Rob Marshall
Huntington Beach, CA

This song keeps coming on the radio...and everytime I hear it, I think of you.

I hope you're okay.

I miss you.

'Ill Be Missing You', by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans

"(Yeah... this right here... goes out to everyone who has lost someone they truly love)

Seems like yesterday we used to rock the show
I laced the track, you locked the flow
So far from hangin on the block for dough
Notorious, they got to know that
Life ain't always what it seem to be (uh-uh)
Words can't express what you mean to me
Even though you're gone, we still a team
Through your family, I'll fulfill your dream (that's right)
In the future, can't wait to see
If you open up the gates for me
Reminisce some time, the night they took my friend (uh-huh)
Try to black it out, but it plays again
When it's real, feelings hard to conceal
Can't imagine all the pain I feel
Give anything to hear half your breath (half your breath)
I know you still living your life, after death

Chorus: Faith Evans
Every step I take, every move I make
Every single day, every time I pray
I'll be missing you
Thinkin of the days, when you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
I'll be missing you

[Puff] I miss you Big
It's kinda hard with you not around (yeah)
Know you in heaven smilin down (eheh)
Watchin us while we pray for you
Every day we pray for you
Til the day we meet again
In my heart is where I'll keep you friend
Memories give me the strength I need (uh-huh) to proceed
Strength I need to believe
My thoughts Big I just can't define (can't define)
Wish I could turn back the hands of time
Us in the 6, shop for new clothes and kicks
You and me taking flicks
Makin hits, stages they receive you on
I still can't believe you're gone (can't believe you're gone)
Give anything to hear half your breath (half your breath)
I know you still living you're life, after death

Chorus:
Every step I take, every move I make
Every single day, every time I pray
I'll be missing you
Thinkin of the days, when you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
I'll be missing you

Faith Evans:
Somebody tell me why
One Black Morning
When this life is over
I know
I'll see your face

Every night I pray, every step I take
Every move I make, every single day
Every night I pray, every step I take

[Puff] Every day that passes
Every move I make, every single day
Is a day that I get closer
To seeing you again
Every night I pray, every step I take
We miss you Big... and we won't stop
Every move I make, every single day
Cause we can't stop... that's right
Every night I pray, every step I take
Every move I make, every single day
We miss you Big

Faith Evans:
Every step I take, every move I make
Every single day, every time I pray
I'll be missing you
Thinkin of the day, when you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
I'll be missing you"

I CALLED YOU 48 HRS AGO, DON T YOU GET IT I M IN A MEETING. I REALLY JUST WANTED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE, BUT YOUR WORK, YOU WERE ALWAYS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT. THAT NEVER CHANGED. SO I GAVE YOU SOME SPACE.......TO FUCKIN MUCH CAUSE WHEN I CALLED YOU BACK, I WAS A DAY TO LATE. THAY SAID YOU HAD GONE. AND NOW DOWN HERE IN THE LAND OF THE OF THE LOST APPROACHING THAT DEVASTATING ANNIVERSARY. DANNY BOY I SHED A TEAR FOR YOU TODAY. THERE S SO MUCH I WANT TO TELL YOU. IT SEEMS THE WORLD JUST DOESN T MAKE SPONTANIOUS, BEAUTIFUL, WAVY BROWN HAIRED MEN LIKE YOU ANYMORE. YOU WERE A DYING RARE BREED. BUT I M GETTING BETTER WITH TIME. I LL NEVER FORGET THE DAY IN MAY YOU LAYED DOWN, HUNG YOUR HEAD OFF THE EDGE OF THE RECLINING PATIO CHAIR AND I COOLED YOU DOWN BY GENTLY POURING COLD WATER ON THE CENTRE OF YOUR HEAD. IT FLOWED DOWN YOUR TEMPLES THROUGH YOUR HAIR THEN ONTO THE DECK. THEN YOU LOOKED AT ME. I MISS THAT,DESPERATLEY. AS WE WATCHED THE SUNSET I REMEMBER I WAS BURNING HOT. BUT YOU, YOU LOOKED SO PEACEFUL AND NOW I GET IT. I TRULY DO. I LONG FOR THOSE MOMENTS AGAIN. MY COMEDIAN AND LOVER. AT LEAST I KNOW YOUR NOW SAFE WETHER IT BE HEAVEN OR JUST CLOSER TO THE UTOPIA YOU VE ALWAYS SOUGHT AFTER.THESE NEXT FEW FUTURE DAYS I AM JUST REMEMBER YOUR REBIRTH. AND LETTING YOU KNOW YOUR LEGEND LIVES ON. GOD BLESS AND GOD BE WITH YOU!!XOXOXOXOXOXO.

Today is one year since your fate was met head on...taking your beautiful life and leaving only memories in its place.

I don't know why I feel the need to keep in touch with you through here. For some strange reason, I feel like you read these...and it brings me comfort. I know that sounds silly, but it works.

This has been quite a year. I can't believe how fast it went by. Sometimes It makes me sad to think that all our lives simply carry on, but you didn't have that option. And then other times, I'm grateful that you went when you did...so that it didn't get any worse for you.

A lot of people miss you, Dan. I'm STILL hearing about all the lives you touched along the way. I wish I could have just ONE more day with you. Just ONE more moment...to laugh...and talk...and hear your voice...and see your beautiful face. It's so clear in my mind.

Anyway, I think of you often...and I still can't believe you're gone. It's all so surreal to me. But, I don't cry for you anymore...the last time I did that, I was running and a bird shit on me. lol. I KNEW it was you! So, now I just smile at the wonderful times we had together and the stories that continue to circulate about you and keep us all laughing.

I love you, my boy.

Miss you with all that I am.

So long.

xo

Kami

DKC,

WOW! Its been a year. Seems like yesterday, I was in your screening room with LONGO. Little did I know this meeting would be the beginning of a beautiful friendship and the best fucking job I ever had. I came in as an assistant at The Beverly Oakhurst, a month later you were kind enough to let this Crazy Canadian live in the yellow room. No words can describe how much that meant to me and little did I know at the time who much I was gonna learn from you.

I remember at the end in your Woodstock house we FINALLY finished HOME, like a month before you died. GOD what a great movie its gonna be...never mind PINK HILLS. Was in Toronto last week trying to get the Slate into Richard Donners hands. Not sure if it got there...can't trust an assistant. Would have been a lot easier if you were around.

At your funeral I decided to dedicated my life to getting YOUR VISION on the silver screen...and i got FRANK L on my side.

To anyone who reads this...I wanna tell you guys something...I worked for DAN everyday for a year and a half before he died. Longo and myself knew him better than alot of people at that specific time in his life. Although I was not a part of his nightlife a can confidently say...He may have been running out of money at the time, however the DAN I knew, NEVER fuck'n LOST. An hour before he died he wrote this e-mail...

Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 14:50:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Dan Cracchiolo" View Contact Details
To: "Steven James Kucher"

KUSH - CALL ME IMMEDIATELY
too much is going on, we are restructuring the company, defining positions, organizing and filing away things, preparing to pay off debts, preparing a movie for September, getting ready for Dreamworks, Shaping the future of all Ravers across the globe, and jerry needs a haircut...
CALL ME NOW!
dc

DAN was hours away from closing a deal that would have given the company a quater of a million dollars to finish the OPUS slate.

Dan your the MAN...I know you are decorating JC's living quarters at the moment...but if you got a second visit your young apprentice in a dream.

LOVE YOU
KUSH

KUsh, how are you? this is lisa hadn't heard from you since last june. i know this isn't very appropriate leaving a message here but anyway i'd like to "speak" to you so if you have a moment could you e-mail me at hollywoodgaijin@hotmail.com it would really mean alot to me. thank-you so much i would really appreciate it.

I worked as Dan's assistant back in 98'/99' and recently heard of this untimely tragedy. I was with him through the the production of the Matrix and the refurbishing of the Koenig House -- and it was a luxury to learn from this very dynamic man. I have more stories from those two years than most of the rest of my life combined. I have him to thank for my incessant work ethic, and my expensive taste in designer furniture and clothes. I would've never had known what an Eames Chair was. He had a passion for life and creativity and a loyalty and love for his friends that was raw and true. He was tireless and always saw things through to fruition - and in his Hollywood world he still had a sense of reality. One of my favorite moments with Dan was a saturday morning that I went over to the Case Study house and found him in the back-yard wearing a tattered t-shirt and some shorts - raking leaves and weeding. Never having witnessed him outside of one of his designer suits and certainly never having seen him doing "grunt" work per-se, I found myself saying that I was surprised to see him doing the yardwork. He stopped for a moment and said something along the lines of, "This is my salvation, I need this, I like doing work like this and letting my hands touch the earth, I love connecting with life like this."

I'm saddened that the connection was cut short but I know that his legacy and creative spirit are eternal. And perhaps we can all find some solace in returning to the simplest of things as he did.

My belated condolences to all who care about Dan.

Jesus Dan. I am so sorry. I still think about you all the time, and I wanted to let you know that walking away from you was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. If I had known that I would never get the chance to see you again, it would have been impossible. I would have been a much better wet blanket! That first time we saw each other, I remeber thinking, Oh no. There's no way I'm going to get out of this. And I haven't. I want you to know that you were so beautiful to me and that nothing we did or said was wasted. I remember every second. And I always kept track of you and was so proud of everything you accomplished, even if I never called. It was too hard for me. You know us crazy Sicilian girls. So. Bye D-A-N-N-Y. I'll be seeing you...

Even though I never met you, we, Cracchiolo's are very proud of your accomplishments. I saw a picture of you today and man did you look like my Father when he was young.

Dan, not knowing you either, I can say that Sal's Comment is very true. The things your close friends and family have said about you...your loyality, dignity, and compassion ring very true and close to my "life philosophies." I have read about you many times, and often wanted to visit you when I was in LA. You also bear a canny resemblance of my brother TOM who is 38 this year.
RIP MAN!

Some time ago, I was flipping through an old Architectural Digest magazine while killing time on a movie set and stumbled upon an article detailing the restoration of Bailey’s Pierre Koenig designed Case Study House on Wonderland Park Ave. For years I always had my eye on that property thinking it could be obtained since the likelihood of acquiring its sister ship, the Stahl house, was inconceivable due to its historical significance. No sooner was I fully engage with the article and green with envy, I read that my old high school buddy Dan Cracchiolo was the new owner. Of course this all make since we ran into each other at the Glendale Modern Arts show in the late 90’s; we were both looking for vintage light fixtures – his new house and my new restaurant. Well Dan, since we know your reading these posts from wherever you are here’s the plan; I’m buying that house at whatever cost and were all going to throw a huge party in your honor. I promises things will get ugly; like they did back in high school. We’ll even recreate the time you nearly ruined my car driving it on Lachman Lane outside a high school party in the Palisades. Did you think I forgot about that one? Not a chance pal, you still owe me one! All kidding a reminiscing aside, your life may have been taken a bit too early, but you achieved more than most - your dreams became realities. Peace to you. – Chris Wessling (chris.wessling@gmail.com)

Dan always was the coolest .....everyone loved the guy...........Naar you get a job yet?

Merry Christmas, my dear, dear, sweet boy.

Mom

So much to say, but time is not my problem..The ability to write to someone that I love very deeply as my brother Dan..I read the letters that people write in to him.(such a blessing) I wish there were more.I know you check up and read these letters yourself.. So,Merry Christmas
and as you wished for before my lady is pregnant
15 weeks due in july!!!!!!! Your still Uncle DAN
Anyways DAN wrote me a 36 page letter A short Time Before He Passed On..We were The Closest Of Freinds and when I mean Close Im serious any closer and you would think we were MARRIED..ha ha
( SINCE SEPT. 11,2003-TILL THE DAY HE PASSED)REAL QUIK A,MESSAGE FOR THE PEOPLE OUT THERE INCLUDING HIS FAMILY,WHOM THINK THAT HIS 2 YEAR JOURNEY,SINCE DEPARTING SILVER PICTURES TO THE DAY HE PASSED WAS DUE TO A BAD DRUG HABIT..WELL I HAVE BAD NEWS FOR YOU THATS NOT THE CASE..AND IFYOU REALLY KNEW HIM YOU WOULD KNOW..I WILL TELL YOU ALL THE REAL STORY OF WHAT EVERYBODY IS SO MUCH WONDERING ABOUT..THE STORY OF DAN AND HOW HE PUT IT..FROM ALL THE GOOD TIMES TO THE BAD I SHALL TELL YOU..ONLY BECAUSE HE WOULD WANT ME TO.HIS DEATH HAS CHANGED MY LIFE..HIS TEACHINGS HAVE BEEN SPONGED (and beaten) INTO MY BRAIN.FOR MY FUTURE. IM SORRY,I MUST GO NOW.'TILL NEXT TIME' I LOVE YA BROTHER...YOUR BRO ANT...

Happy Birthday Danny!
(a day early)

Robbie Marshall

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER. Seems like only a few years ago were jamming to or from Pali, laughing, hanging or shooting out the window of your bug on Sunset. Then the two years at Opus.
These were the most memorable,confrontational emotionally charged and learning period I’ve ever had the great fortune to experience, and I thank you with all of my heart. I just wanted to set a few things straight, especially since it's your birthday and all.

Some have said your passing was the result of drugs and I wanted all to know how salacious and irrelevant this notion is. It is a vile aspersion and dangerously redemptive in this world and the next.

Disseminated irresponsibly by one of (the many) jealous or spurned colleagues who obviuosly never knew Dan or his remarkable self. Or his business savvy. or his repeated successes against great odds, or his respect and love for himself. Dan never would allow drugs to malign his path to success or integrity of work, And let me just say, career and hard work was what Dan was all about.

Sure at times he was hotheaded, he had to be. He was spinning gold in the land of gilded mediocrity. But, when his temper cooled, he could melt your heart and frequently did. And when you were filled with warmth he’d could make you cry from laughter or brim with ggod cheer.

In a world where people fear exploitation, Dan was a rock. He was a man of his word and deed.

Responsibility in the remembrance of Dan (I feel) is significant to his spiritual liberation and well being.

The real truth if you knew Dan was to know great depths of loyalty and super potentiality for limitless heights could always be just around the corner.

Dan was all about responsibility and its’ pursuits. He was a mature leader, sensitive listener, enormously kind hearted and generous, always sharing whatever he had, (which was a lot more than anyone I've ever known).

Dan was motivating, inspiring, fascinating and dynamic. His over the top rants and raves (the likes of which I've never known or will again), could be irritating but usually lead to some sort of breakthrough or advancement, and truth be told, it was sometimes what was needed to shake up the status quo and evolve.

His extraordinary personality and friendship has enriched many lives. Dan not only was NOT "just another poor soul lost to drug addiction." FUCK THAT AND WHOEVER SAIS THIS.

DAN IS NOTHING SHORT OF A LEGEND.

HE WILL ALWAYS TO BE REMEMBERED AS A BRILLIANT MINDED, LIONHEARTED POWERFULLY SPIRITED FORCE OF NATURE. THE BEST ALLY AND FRIEND ONE COULD EVER ASK FOR IN THIS TRASH TALKING, ENVY DRIVEN LAND OF WANT A BEES AND SHOULD OF BEENS.

MAY HE ALWAYS REST IN PEACE AND SANCTITY IN REMEMBRANCE. DAN BROTHER, YOU ARE THE MAN.

I love you bro, and miss you something fierce.

Happy Birthday

Bone

Hi Lisa
I was saddened to hear that Dan was gone and am very, very sorry for your loss. I remember Dan as a really funny and active high school kid who was always trying to do the same stuff we were during our USC days.I remember looking for Sea Shells with him in Hawaii. He always tried to find really unique ones to take home.
Please give your Mom my regrets and love.
Tucker

2 years ago today......my life forever changed, never again to be the same. I remember hearing the words - that you were gone. They play over and over in my head like a distorted dream. I can't believe it's been 2 years and we all just carry on with our lives. So much has changed. I still miss you. Breathe easy my friend. K.

Charismatic,Playful,never boring,self absorbing,reciporical,gentle, strong,loving,hating,self assured,insecure,modest,humble,bold,direct,elusive,attentive,teacher,student,man,boy,demanding,controlling,passive,and laid back....
a life just beginning; ended? or has it?
A man who gave so much and required so little back, he came to teach, to entertain, to touch each person who was blessed to have met such an incredible person, God bless his family and all of his many friends and aquaintinces whom devoured his insight and creativity with such pleasure; he kept us all wanting to come back for the second feature.
His mission was accomplished so swiftly and prcisely that he retired early from this realm to prepare for his next task which he will no doubt surpass in leaps and bounds only to reak havoc on a whole new priviledged few.

Dan, your lust and enthusiasm for life love and the perfect freakin sunset will forever leave a beauty mark on my heart....

dont change a thing, you reached and changed so many people, you are loved, and never fell short,your life is a true accomplishment. Most of us will never attain what you did with such pleasure, your life was not in vain, you were just rare and needed elsewhere...until our paths cross again, sing laugh, and strum love you Dan.

"Niki"

RIP Dan My name is Mike Cracchiolo ,although i never met dan i have friends that knew him well I also am an avid bike rider in northern cal and i am and will always be a big fan of his work .When i found out he had dies i was in shock even though we never met we seemed to be very much the same .I will always remember the man and his work .Best wishes and condolences to his family Ride on Dan Michael Cracchiolo

Long gone the cavalieri of the nights emails...your courtesan of love became of dark desire....you drifted away.....I guess it was your wish.... still waiting like the Damaselas in your Gods Descendant story....
To eternity!

Missing you...

I was saddened to hear that Dan had passed and I'm very sorry for your loss. I met Dan the day he interviewed to be Joel's assistant. At the time I was Joel's driver and Dan made a memorable impression on me that very first day. The confidence in who he was and the way he carried himself was very inspiring. He knew what he wanted and where he was going. I've never forgotten the conversations we shared on script ideas, who's who in the biz and "working a party". Man, the memories ! I've thought of him often over the years, seeing his name in credits and always knew he was capable of great things. A flame extinguished long before it burned it's brightest.

First of all,I would like to say to his family and friends,I am so sorry that God has taken him so soon. He is greatly missed. As for me, well, I never met you,wanted to, but never got the chance. My brother,James Cracchiolo has talked to you a few times and I can rememeber him telling me,that he was going to LA on some business and was going to try to meet up with you on the weekend. Unfortunately,we got the news a few days before he left.As James said in an earlier posting,you do resemble our brother Tom alot. As a Cracchiolo,I can truly say that we are all proud of everything you did and we will do our best to make sure your legacy lives on.I can remember when ever I saw one of your movies with my friends,they would ask me if you were any relation to me and I would always say "yeah,he's like my 3rd or 4th cousin." They would always laugh at me.But I didn't see it like that.I saw it as,here is a man that is truly blessed in everything he does,is well known for his work,and with a name like Cracchiolo,(c'mon you know what I mean...respellings or "could you say that again for me" type of things..lol...)it was and is an awsome accomplishment not just for you, but for all of us. So I leave on this note, it doesn't matter how or if we were any relation to one another, just that you are missed and loved by the people you knew and some people you didn't know.We are all family. RIP.....Rita(rcracciolo@yahoo.com)

Happy Birthday Danny ... I Have Jury duty tomorrow thought I would get this in before then.

DKC,

Still trying to make OPUS 2 a reality. You taught me so much! The world is a smaller place without you as my mentor.

Say whats up to JC.

KUSH!

Happy Birthday Danny boy. xo Kami

I find myself coming to this site often, today I wondered why. I find it hard to believe Dan is gone. He always enters my heart and soul when i feel lost in this city. I can almost hear his voice. I sat at his desk as his assistant a long time ago. He opened up his life completely. i really got to know him. We had a nice connection. As I scroll above this post to read others, i realize that i have talked to all of you on the phone when i was working with him many many years ago....and i love that you keep this site alive.....i miss knowing that Dan is out there just doing it like he said he would. But I also know he misses us.
:(

I still think about you all the time.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

I was reminded of this blog tonight when a longtime friend told me he had found the page and read some of the posts. He said they 'ripped his heart out'...yeah, I know that feeling all too well. I actually thought about coming back on your Birthday. I didn't forget...I just chose to wish you in a different way this year. I will never forget. Not ever. This has been a strange 2008 so far. A lot of deaths...too many...and one thing I know for certain is that it DOES get easier, but it never ever goes away. My body still aches for the sound of your voice...the way you used to look at me (even just as my friend). I miss you...every day of my life, I miss you.

Love you Danny boy.

Sleep easy my friend.

xo

Kami

i am actually related to you but i never got to know you, i am wendy cracchiolo's daughter and she says that you were a great man.

Still miss you. Still hurts. BUt you have shaped my life. The things that make me love, the things that make me say no (and why are these so often one-in-the-same?), so many of them can be traced back to our times together. If you can see us from where you are, please help my heart feel free.
yrs.

I would be interested in hearing some more recent stories of Dan. We were good friend in school. E-mail as you like to zymoticone@yahoo.com Thanks Rob Marshall

I grew up with Dan ... Went to Grammer School and hung out in High School. I lost touch of Dan after College. I would be interested in hearing some positive stories about Dan as an adult. If you have any please share. You can e-mail me at zymoticone@yahoo.com

Thanks ... Rob Marshall

I can't believe it's been 4 years since you died. 4 years later and it feels like it's been just a blink of time. I miss you...still. I have so much I wanna share with you. So many things I wanna tell you that I think only YOU will understand. I guess I DO still tell you everything...I'm just waiting for your quick witted sarcastic remarks. Lol. I read a book called '90 Minutes In Heaven'...and they said that when you die you're joined by EVERYONE you once knew on Earth. I look forward to seeing you again my boy. I know you'll be there waiting for me with a glass of red wine in your hand...playing Sinatra in the background. I love you. You are still so much a part of me. So, thank you.

xo

Kami

My deepest condolences to all that knew him, especially his family. I knew Dan briefly through his sister Wendy.

Dear Dan,

Where would you be now if your life didn't end so short. Thought's of you.

Love,
Katrina

I came about learning of Dan's death (and this site) just now and in a roundabout way. Wasn't sure this was the Dan Cracchiolo I met in 9th grade until I started catching some familiar names of those who've posted up previously, like Naar and Wessling.

Had completely lost touch with Dan over the years and had no idea what he was up to. I'd seen the name on some screen credits here and there and remember thinking, at the time, it was probably the same guy I used to know.

So sorry to learn of Dan's death. My heart goes out to all his family and friends.

Don't know many details other than that he was riding a Ducati and got taken out by a car. Very Sad.

R.I.P., Dan.

Josh
jconvy@wzwlw.com

DAN BUCCCKURRIANNIMACHCARRARIUTO Y FARRISUTTO, SITTING HERE NEARLY FIVE YEARS AFTER THAT NEVER FORGOTTEN DAY OF YOUR EARTHLY DEMISE.
GOD DAMN IT'S LIKE YESTERDAY THAT WE WERE LAUGHING THROUGH TEARS BOTH HAPPY AND SAD.

THAT LAUGHTER CONQUERED DOUBTS AND FEARS. MADE A MOCKERY OF THEM AND CELEBRATED LIFE'S EXISTENTIAL GENIUS WHERE BEFORE THERE WAS NONE.

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE REALLY WAS NONE. THAT ALL LIFE'S TRIBULATION JUST AINT SO BAD, JUST AINT TRUE. THE SKIES THAT WE LAUGHED UNDER FELL DOWN IN PIECES ALL AROUND, AND NEVER AGAIN WOULD THERE BE A SUNRISE FOR YOU.

EVEN NOW THERE ARE STILL PIEECES SCATTERRED ABOUT. BUT AS I REACH DOWN TO PICK THEM UP, YOUR CLOSE BY OR I WOULDN'T BE REACHING DOWN AT ALL.

AND MY DREAMS AND HOPES ARE STILL ALIVE, STILL OUT OF REACH, AND NOW LESS AMBITIOUS, MORE PEDESTRIAN. I MISS THE LAUGHTER, YOUR MIND, YOUR SPIRIT, YOUR DEFIANCE, YOUR PASSION. THE LIFE AT ONCE SO MEANINGFUL AND ABSURD, SO PROMISING AND IMPOSSIBLE. A TIME MADE OBSOLETE DESPITE ITS' AUSPICIOUS BIRTH, IMPROBABLE GROWTH AND FUTILE QUICKENING. THE WORLD OBVIOUSLY WASN'T READY EVEN IF WE WERE. AND SO I LIVE HUMBLED BY MY BLINDNESS TO A BIGGER PICTURE THAT UNFOLDS ALL AROUND US. MAYBE SOME DAY WE'LL SEE IT TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND, AND ON THAT DAY WE'LL LAUGH AGAIN.
I LOVE YOU BROTHER
BONE

Wow. I just found out Dan is no longer with us....what a great guy.

At the time we met I was a writer working as a babysitter to a woman he was dating. That brief encounter turned into a number of pitch sessions with him and others at WB. That's the kind of guy he was to me - he took a shot on a black kid who was babysitting a girl he was dating. I wish he could truly know how big of an opportunity he gave me.....

5 years and I still cant handle that he is not with us. When with him I always felt in the presence of a comet ... they do burn out but they leave such a wondrous light.

I worked as an intern at silver pictures in 1995. i worked with dan's assistant. he was the coolest hollywood producer i'd met. it was him who made me aware of Doctors Without Borders - medicins sans frontier. he was stylish, cultured, intelligent. i was offered the job of his assistant but didn't take it. decided to keep writing. i found out about his death from Polly Cohen who was in sydney with Superman Returns. I always remember him from having introduced me to Doctors Without Borders.

I remember one day he was in Morroco doing a scout and he called his assistant and said "i was just walking down the street of my hotel and i saw this sculpture in a shop window. When i get back i want it in my office" so we called the concierge and asked him to walk up and down the street looking for sculptures in windows. he found it and we got it to LA.

he was the boss!

as you know you was my uncle i love you r.i.p

How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to.

Happy 45th birthday Dan. Miss you.

- your sister