Stephan Miller
Encyclopedia
Stephan K. Miller was an American
animal trainer
, wrangler
and stunt double
. Along with his cousin Randy Miller, Stephan was a trainer at Predators in Action, an animal training facility that trains wild and exotic animals for film and television appearances. Some of the films in which the animals trained by the facility have appeared include The Island of Dr. Moreau
, Gladiator
, The Postman
, The Last Samurai
, and Semi-Pro
.
Predators in Action animals have also appeared on Discovery Channel
and National Geographic Society
programs in which they recreated famous animal attacks, including the mauling of Roy Horn
by a white tiger
.
named Rocky. The 7½ foot tall, 700 lb bear bit Miller on the neck once. An autopsy
revealed that he died within minutes of the attack.
Until Miller's death, Rocky was best known for appearing as Dewey the Killer Bear in a scene from the 2008 film Semi-Pro
in which he wrestled Will Ferrell
's body double Randy Miller. Following Miller's death, the California Department of Fish and Game
initiated a probe into the events of the attack with the intent to eventually decide whether Rocky would be euthanized. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA) and other animal rights groups, who have long protested use of wild animals in films, called for Rocky to be spared and to be allowed to retire to a zoo
or another similar facility.
It was later revealed on the National Geographic Channel
program Grizzly Face to Face that the coroner's office and the California Department of Fish and Game ruled Miller's death accidental and did not order the bear to be euthanized. However, Rocky resumed his life under restricted regulations.
, as well as being actively involved in the launch of the ShareNow social networking
website.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
animal trainer
Animal training
Animal training refers to teaching animals specific responses to specific conditions or stimuli. Training may be for the purpose of companionship, detection, protection, entertainment or all of the above....
, wrangler
Wrangler (profession)
In North America, a wrangler is someone employed to handle animals professionally, especially horses, but also other types of animals. Wranglers also handle the horses and other animals during the making of motion pictures...
and stunt double
Stunt double
A stunt double is a type of body double, specifically a skilled replacement used for dangerous film or video sequences, in movies and television , and for other sophisticated stunts...
. Along with his cousin Randy Miller, Stephan was a trainer at Predators in Action, an animal training facility that trains wild and exotic animals for film and television appearances. Some of the films in which the animals trained by the facility have appeared include The Island of Dr. Moreau
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996 film)
The Island of Dr. Moreau is a 1996 science fiction horror film, the third major movie version of the H. G. Wells novel The Island of Doctor Moreau about a scientist who attempts to convert animals into people...
, Gladiator
Gladiator (2000 film)
Gladiator is a 2000 historical epic film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Ralf Möller, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi, John Shrapnel and Richard Harris. Crowe portrays the loyal Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed...
, The Postman
The Postman (film)
The Postman is an American post-apocalyptic epic film based on the 1985 novel of the same name by David Brin. It was filmed in northeastern Washington , Fidalgo Island, Washington, central Oregon and Tucson, Arizona, and was directed by Kevin Costner, who also stars in the film...
, The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai is a 2003 American epic drama film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick, who also co-wrote the screenplay based on a story by John Logan. The film was inspired by a project developed by writer and director Vincent Ward, who had previously filmed the movie in 1990, starring...
, and Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports screwball comedy film from New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Kent Alterman and stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin and Maura Tierney. The film was shot in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium , in Detroit and in Flint, Michigan...
.
Predators in Action animals have also appeared on Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
and National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
programs in which they recreated famous animal attacks, including the mauling of Roy Horn
Siegfried & Roy
Siegfried & Roy are two German-American former entertainers who became known for their appearances with white lions and white tigers....
by a white tiger
White tiger
The white tiger is a recessive mutant of the Bengal tiger, which was reported in the wild from time to time in Assam, Bengal, Bihar and especially from the former State of Rewa.-Color comparison:...
.
Death
On 22 April 2008, during a routine training exercise, Miller was mauled and killed by a 5-year old grizzly bearGrizzly Bear
The grizzly bear , also known as the silvertip bear, the grizzly, or the North American brown bear, is a subspecies of brown bear that generally lives in the uplands of western North America...
named Rocky. The 7½ foot tall, 700 lb bear bit Miller on the neck once. An autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
revealed that he died within minutes of the attack.
Until Miller's death, Rocky was best known for appearing as Dewey the Killer Bear in a scene from the 2008 film Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro
Semi-Pro is a 2008 American sports screwball comedy film from New Line Cinema. The film was directed by Kent Alterman and stars Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin and Maura Tierney. The film was shot in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium , in Detroit and in Flint, Michigan...
in which he wrestled Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell
John William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega...
's body double Randy Miller. Following Miller's death, the California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game is a department within the government of California, falling under its parent California Natural Resources Agency. The Department of Fish and Game manages and protects the state's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and native habitats...
initiated a probe into the events of the attack with the intent to eventually decide whether Rocky would be euthanized. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
(PETA) and other animal rights groups, who have long protested use of wild animals in films, called for Rocky to be spared and to be allowed to retire to a zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
or another similar facility.
It was later revealed on the National Geographic Channel
National Geographic Channel
National Geographic Channel, also commercially abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo, is a subscription television channel that airs non-fiction television programs produced by the National Geographic Society. Like History and the Discovery Channel, the channel features documentaries with factual...
program Grizzly Face to Face that the coroner's office and the California Department of Fish and Game ruled Miller's death accidental and did not order the bear to be euthanized. However, Rocky resumed his life under restricted regulations.
Other ventures
In addition to his work with animals, Miller was also a co-publisher for the first three print issues of Girls and Corpses magazine with publisher/editor-in-chief Robert Steven RhineRobert Steven Rhine
right|thumb|220px|Charlotte La Belle Araigne attending the Girls and Corpses Magazine's 25th Anniversary Issue Release Party at The C.I.A., North Hollywood, CA on April 4, 2010Robert Steven Rhine is an American writer and actor...
, as well as being actively involved in the launch of the ShareNow social networking
Social network service
A social networking service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, who, for example, share interests and/or activities. A social network service consists of a representation of each user , his/her social...
website.