Randall Miller

{{Infobox person

| name = Randall Miller

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth_date and age|1962|7|24}}

| birth_place = Pasadena, California, U.S.

| other_names =

| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|producer|screenwriter|editor|actor}}

| years active = 1984–2019

| education = University of Southern California
AFI Conservatory (MFA)

| spouse = {{marriage|Jody Savin|1999}}

}}

Randall Miller (born July 24, 1962){{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/randall_miller|title=Rotten Tomatoes/Celebrity/Randall Miller|website=www.rottentomatoes.com|access-date=December 28, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229032040/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/randall_miller|url-status=live}} is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and occasional actor.

At the American Film Institute (AFI), Miller received acclaim for his 1990 short film Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School. This led to a career directing films in Hollywood in the 1990s, including the comedies Class Act (1992), Houseguest (1995), and The 6th Man (1997).

In his 40s, Miller ventured into independent film, taking money out of his house to direct and produce Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School (2005), an expansion of his 1990 short into a full-length feature. Miller followed this with the indie films Nobel Son (2007), Bottle Shock (2008), and CBGB (2013), all starring Alan Rickman in the lead role. Miller self-distributed and raised the money for Bottle Shock, his greatest critical success.

Miller has closely collaborated with his wife Jody Savin on many of his projects, writing and producing multiple films together.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Married, with movies |url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2008/12/03/married-with-movies/ |work=Pasadena Star-News |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204544/https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2008/12/03/married-with-movies/ |url-status=live }}

In 2015, Miller pled guilty in the train crash death in a plea deal to prevent prosecution of his wife.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/director-gregg-allman-film-pleads-guilty-train-crash-death-n320386/|title=Director of Gregg Allman Film Pleads Guilty in Train Crash Death|website=NBC News |date=March 10, 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-pleads-guilty-in-death-of-camera-assistant-1.2987339/|title=Midnight Rider director Randall Miller pleads guilty in death of camera assistant{{!}}The Associated Press|date=March 9, 2015|website=CBC|access-date=April 1, 2022|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407125504/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-pleads-guilty-in-death-of-camera-assistant-1.2987339|url-status=live}} The film was Midnight Rider, which he was directing and producing.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/midnight-rider-trial-begins-a-year-after-fatal-train-crash-1201444695/|title='Midnight Rider' Director Pleads Guilty, Gets Two Years in Prison|last=Johnson|first=Ted|date=March 9, 2015|website=Variety|access-date=May 27, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202133518/https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/midnight-rider-trial-begins-a-year-after-fatal-train-crash-1201444695/|url-status=live}} After 10 years, Miller was fully exonerated and had his manslaughter conviction completely wiped from his record.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2025/03/15/entertainment/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-exonerated-for-on-set-death/|last=Donlevy |first=Katherine| date=March 15, 2025| title='Midnight Rider' director Randall Miller exonerated 11 years after fatal on-set train crash}} He served one year in jail and nine years of probation before his record was expunged. He is the only filmmaker in history ever jailed for an on-set accident.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/randall-miller-manslaughter-conviction-cleared-midnight-rider-set-11698216/| last=Neumann|first=Sue| date=March 17, 2025| title=Director Randall Miller Gets Manslaughter Conviction Cleared Years After Camerawoman's Death on Midnight Rider Set}}

Early life and education

Miller grew up in Pasadena, California. His mother, Leona Miller, was an internist and professor at USC County Medical Center and President of the Diabetes Association.{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=leona-vivien-crook-miller&pid=167998488|title=Dr. Leona Vivien Crook Miller's Obituary on Los Angeles Times|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131023636/http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=leona-vivien-crook-miller&pid=167998488|url-status=live}} His father, Alexander Miller, was a professor of microbiology at UCLA after completing his graduate studies at Caltech in Pasadena.

Miller attended UC Davis, where he played football and studied biochemistry, inspired by his own parents' careers in medicine. After getting interested in acting,{{cite news |last=Spillman |first=Susan |date=June 16, 1992 |title='Class Act' director gets lessons in cool |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/306516580 |work=USA Today |location= |access-date= |id={{ProQuest|306516580}} |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315203618/https://www.proquest.com/docview/306516580 |url-status=live }} he transferred to UCLA,{{cite news |last=Mohtasham |first=Saba |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Director creates critical film based on his experiences with his father |url=https://dailybruin.com/2008/12/03/director-creates-critical-film-based-his-experienc |work=Daily Bruin |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315203618/https://dailybruin.com/2008/12/03/director-creates-critical-film-based-his-experienc |url-status=live }} but dropped out to pursue his acting career, landing television roles in Cheers, Highway to Heaven, and in commercials. During that time, Miller met director Bob Zemeckis of Back to The Future fame while acting in a play with Zemeckis' wife. At Zemeckis' encouragement, Miller completed his undergraduate degree at the USC film school. He then received a master's degree in film from the American Film Institute (AFI).{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/14/style/weddings-jody-savin-and-randall-miller.html|title=WEDDINGS; Jody Savin and Randall Miller|date=March 14, 1999|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 30, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200820/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/14/style/weddings-jody-savin-and-randall-miller.html|url-status=live}} Miller met his future wife Jody Savin at AFI, where he was a director fellow and she was a writing fellow.{{cite news |last=Welkos |first=Robert W. |date=January 23, 2005 |title=They've bet the house on a second chance |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jan-23-ca-ballroom23-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315203618/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jan-23-ca-ballroom23-story.html |url-status=live }}

Career

=Early=

In 1990, Miller directed an award-winning{{cite news |last=King |first=Susan |date=March 30, 2006 |title=Retracing his steps |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-30-wk-movies30-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204313/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-30-wk-movies30-story.html |url-status=live }} 35-minute thesis film at AFI, Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School. Set in 1962, the short featured a cast of children attending a cotillion. The film was based on Miller's own experience going to cotillion as a child in Pasadena. Miller was nominated for CableACE Awards for his writing and direction of Marilyn Hotchkiss.Jennifer Pendleton, [https://variety.com/1992/tv/news/rivals-for-cableaces-not-even-close-to-hbo-100356/ "Rivals for CableAces not even close to HBO"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118105037/https://variety.com/1992/tv/news/rivals-for-cableaces-not-even-close-to-hbo-100356/ |date=November 18, 2018 }}, Variety, November 17, 1992.

=1990s=

Miller made his Hollywood directorial debut in 1992 with Class Act, is a modern-day comedic take on The Prince and the Pauper about a pair of teenagers with switched identities.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE7D8163AF936A35755C0A964958260|title=No Recess For Excelling In High Jinks|website=www.nytimes.com|language=en|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051112/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE7D8163AF936A35755C0A964958260|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/siskel-and-ebert-at-the-movies/week-of-june-6-1992-1211115/|title=Class Act|author=Siskel & Ebert|date=June 6, 1992|access-date=January 1, 2014|publisher=TV.com|archive-date=January 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102235130/http://www.tv.com/shows/siskel-and-ebert-at-the-movies/week-of-june-6-1992-1211115/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/class-act-19920605|title=Class Act|author=Peter Travers|date=June 5, 1992|access-date=November 18, 2012|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-date=March 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325225336/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/class-act-19920605|url-status=live}}

In 1995, Miller helmed Houseguest, another movie about mistaken identities. The Los Angeles Times said "Houseguest, a rowdy fish-out-of-water comedy, is as good-natured as its big, beefy star, comedian Sinbad." The film debuted at No. 3 and went on to gross $26 million in North America, making it a modest commercial success considering its $10.5 million budget.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-10-ca-18192-story.html|title=Weekend Box Office : 'Dumb and Dumber' Has Last Laugh|last=WELKOS|first=ROBERT W.|date=January 10, 1995|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 22, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306120159/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-01-10/entertainment/ca-18192_1_weekend-box-office|url-status=live}}

Miller then directed the 1997 American sports comedy film The 6th Man, starring Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison. A film review in Variety said Miller "gets so much out of his cast and screenplay."{{cite news |last=Leydon |first=Joe |date=March 26, 1997 |title=The 6th Man |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/the-6th-man-1200449086/ |work=Variety |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204226/https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/the-6th-man-1200449086/ |url-status=live }}

Miller directed the 1999 Wonderful World of Disney made-for-television comedy film H-E Double Hockey Sticks, for which he was nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Children's Programs.Dave McNary, [https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/dga-names-noms-for-day-kids-1117776527/ "DGA names noms for day, kids"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714081050/https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/dga-names-noms-for-day-kids-1117776527/ |date=July 14, 2018 }}, Variety, February 16, 2000.Jerry Roberts, Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors (Scarecrow Press, 2009), {{ISBN|978-0810863781}}, p. 394. [https://books.google.com/books?id=kW8j6sHvrewC&dq=%22Marilyn+Hotchkiss%27+Ballroom+Dancing%22+cableace&pg=PA394 Excerpts available] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405214520/https://books.google.com/books?id=kW8j6sHvrewC&dq=%22Marilyn+Hotchkiss%27+Ballroom+Dancing%22+cableace&pg=PA394 |date=April 5, 2023 }} at Google Books.

=2005–2013: Indie films=

In 2005, Miller expanded his 1990 short Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School into a full-length feature, incorporating material from the short in the form of flashbacks. The film starred Marisa Tomei, John Goodman, and Robert Carlyle.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/movies/a-new-life-awaits-at-marilyn-hotchkiss-ballroom-dancing-and-charm.html|title=A New Life Awaits at 'Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School'|last=Catsoulis|first=Jeannette|date=March 31, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 22, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902012118/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/movies/a-new-life-awaits-at-marilyn-hotchkiss-ballroom-dancing-and-charm.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/aug/25/drama|title=Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|date=August 24, 2006|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223171354/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/aug/25/drama|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/marilyn-hotchkiss-ballroom-dancing-charm-school-1200528476/|title=Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School|last=Harvey|first=Dennis|date=January 26, 2005|work=Variety|access-date=February 22, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223110856/http://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/marilyn-hotchkiss-ballroom-dancing-charm-school-1200528476/|url-status=live}}Dennis Harvey, [https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/marilyn-hotchkiss-ballroom-dancing-charm-school-1200528476/ "Review: 'Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714081048/https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/marilyn-hotchkiss-ballroom-dancing-charm-school-1200528476/ |date=July 14, 2018 }}, Variety, January 6, 2005.

It was Miller's first foray into independent film. Following the death of Miller's father and Savin's mother, the couple risked pursuing their dream of making serious films by taking money out of their Pasadena home to finance the movie. The film premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.{{cite news |last=Strodol |first=Kelly |date=March 23, 2006 |title=Short Film's Revival |url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-xpm-2006-03-23-dpt-ocfilm23-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204121/https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-xpm-2006-03-23-dpt-ocfilm23-story.html |url-status=live }}

Miller then directed three indie films starring Alan Rickman in the lead role. Rickman said, "This is the Randy and Jody part of my life... It's a unique thing that Randy and Jody have—a totally unique and independent energy."{{cite news |last=Debord |first=Matthew |date=August 16, 2008 |title=Alan Rickman, the comedic corker |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-16-et-rickman16-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204121/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-aug-16-et-rickman16-story.html |url-status=live }}

The first was the 2007 American black comedy Nobel Son about a dysfunctional family dealing with the kidnapping of their son for ransom following the father's winning of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. In addition to Rickman, the film starred Bill Pullman, Eliza Dushku, and Danny DeVito.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/movies/05nobe.html|title=Kidnapping, Suicide and Other Family Matters|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|date=December 4, 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 22, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210112953/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/movies/05nobe.html|url-status=live}} In Rickman's character of an egomaniacal genius, Miller was writing about his own professor father. Nobel Son premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.{{cite web |url=https://tribecafilm.com/festival/archive/512d05671c7d76e046002777-nobel-son |title=Nobel Son |last= |first= |date= |website= |publisher=Tribeca Festival |access-date=March 11, 2023 |quote= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204122/https://tribecafilm.com/festival/archive/512d05671c7d76e046002777-nobel-son |url-status=live }}

In 2008 Alan Rickman returned in a leading role in Miller's movie Bottle Shock,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/movies/06bott.html|title=Plaid Suits, Prize Grapes and the Rise of Napa|last=Scott|first=A. O.|date=August 5, 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 30, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131081235/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/movies/06bott.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/film/article/bottle_shock-randall_miller|title=Bottle Shock Randall Miller|website=exclaim.ca|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131023638/http://exclaim.ca/film/article/bottle_shock-randall_miller|url-status=live}} a dramedy based on the 1976 "Judgement of Paris" wine competition in which a California wine shockingly defeats a French one in a blind taste test. Miller and his wife, Jody, were introduced to Marc and Brenda Lhormer, the founders of the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, in 2006 at the opening night of Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School. In 2008, the Lhormers presented a screenplay on the "Judgement of Paris" to Miller and his wife. The story interested Miller and Jody and they took it on board. They ended up writing, directing and producing Bottle Shock. The film also starred Chris Pine and Bill Pullman.{{cite news|url=https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/case-study-bottle-shock/|title=CASE STUDY: BOTTLE SHOCK - Film Independent|date=January 18, 2012|work=Film Independent|access-date=February 22, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051002/https://www.filmindependent.org/blog/case-study-bottle-shock/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/19/bottle-shock-film-review|title=Film review: Bottle Shock|last=Brooks|first=Xan|date=March 20, 2009|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223171344/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/19/bottle-shock-film-review|url-status=live}}

Bottle Shock premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Without much interest from major distribution houses, Miller opted for the "maverick route" of self-distribution. While the upsides included retaining the DVD and other rights to the film and controlling how the film was rolled out and marketed, Miller said the downsides were "an enormous amount of work, an enormous amount of stress, no sleep". Miller managed to raise some $10 million from private investors for the film and associated costs.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/movies/30self.html?ref=movies |author=Anderson, John |title=No Film Distributor? Then D.I.Y. |date=July 30, 2008 |website=www.nytimes.com |access-date=November 3, 2014 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203194901/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/movies/30self.html?ref=movies |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Anthony |date=January 14, 2009 |title=Directors seize their distribution destiny |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/directors-seize-their-distribution-destiny-1117998562/ |work=Variety |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204121/https://variety.com/2009/film/markets-festivals/directors-seize-their-distribution-destiny-1117998562/ |url-status=live }}

In his third film with Miller, Rickman played Hilly Kristal in CBGB,{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/cbgb-review-1200722877/|title=Film Review: 'CBGB'|last=Foundas|first=Scott|date=October 15, 2013|work=Variety|access-date=February 22, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=November 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130131138/http://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/cbgb-review-1200722877/|url-status=live}} a 2013 historical film about the former New York music venue of the same name. Miller wrote the screenplay, produced and directed the film revolving around the life of Kristal, musician and owner of the CBGB club. The film also starred Malin Akerman, Justin Bartha, Richard de Klerk, and Johnny Galecki.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/movies/cbgb-recalls-that-closed-new-york-nightclub-and-its-owner.html|title='CBGB' Recalls That Closed New York Nightclub and Its Owner|last=Scott|first=A. O.|date=October 10, 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 22, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223111021/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/movies/cbgb-recalls-that-closed-new-york-nightclub-and-its-owner.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Foundas|first1=Scott|title=CBGB review: New York club gets the biopic it didn't deserve|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/cbgb-review-1200722877/|website=Variety|date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804220928/https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/cbgb-review-1200722877/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=DeYoung|first1=Bill|title=CBGB: A conversation with filmmaker Randall Miller|url=http://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/cbgb-a-conversation-with-filmmaker-randall-miller/Content?oid=2138021|website=Connect Savannah|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=June 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630234707/http://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/cbgb-a-conversation-with-filmmaker-randall-miller/Content?oid=2138021|url-status=live}}

=''Midnight Rider'' manslaughter conviction=

In 2014, on the first day of production of Midnight Rider, camera assistant Sarah Jones was killed during the filming of a scene.{{cite web|last1=Robb|first1=David|title=Hollywood Production Safety Exec: "We're In A Post-Sarah Jones World"|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/hollywood-production-safety-exec-post-225304270.html|website=Deadline|date=June 5, 2016 |access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619151707/https://www.yahoo.com/tv/hollywood-production-safety-exec-post-225304270.html|url-status=live}} The film was never completed. A police investigation in the town of Jesup, Georgia, concluded that Miller and his crew were trespassing on an operating railway line and that the train was unscheduled.{{cite web |last1=Ruggieri |first1=Melissa |title=Gregg Allman film director gets early release from Georgia jail |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/gregg-allman-film-director-gets-early-release-from-georgia-jail/owMes3f7clFiLiRJyWAlqN/ |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108052026/https://www.ajc.com/blog/music/gregg-allman-film-director-gets-early-release-from-georgia-jail/owMes3f7clFiLiRJyWAlqN/ |url-status=live }}{{failed verification |date=November 2021}} Charges for criminal trespassing and involuntary manslaughter were eventually brought against Miller, his wife, producer Jody Savin, producer/UPM Jay Sedrish, and 1st assistant director Hillary Schwartz for Jones's death.{{cite web| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-716543| title='Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller, Producers Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter, Criminal Trespass| last=Lewis| first=Hilary| date=July 3, 2014| website=The Hollywood Reporter| access-date=June 4, 2020| archive-date=June 5, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605040220/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-716543| url-status=live}}{{cite web| url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/midnight-rider-charges-hillary-schwartz-involuntary-manslaughter-sarah-jones-843026/| title='Midnight Rider': 1st Assistant Director Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter| last1=Yamato| first1=Jen| last2=Busch| first2=Anita| date=September 29, 2014| website=Deadline| access-date=June 4, 2020| archive-date=June 5, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605040222/https://deadline.com/2014/09/midnight-rider-charges-hillary-schwartz-involuntary-manslaughter-sarah-jones-843026/| url-status=live}}

On March 9, 2015, Miller agreed to a plea deal in exchange for having charges dropped against his wife. He was sentenced to 10 years, the first two to be served in jail, followed by probation, along with a $20,000 fine and 360 hours of community service. Sedrish and Schwartz were sentenced to 10 years' probation with no jail time and ordered to pay fines. The terms of Miller's probation stipulated that he would be "prohibited from serving as director, first assistant director or supervisor" with responsibility for safety on any film production until his sentence was completed. Sedrish's and Schwartz's sentences contained similar provisions.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Ted |url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/midnight-rider-trial-begins-a-year-after-fatal-train-crash-1201444695/ |title='Midnight Rider' Trial: Executive Producer Jay Sedrish Won't Serve Jail Time |work=Variety |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202133518/https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/midnight-rider-trial-begins-a-year-after-fatal-train-crash-1201444695/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|last1=Busch|first1=Anita|last2=Leon|first2=Patty|title='Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller Freed From Jail In Shock Ruling – Update|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-released-jail-sarah-jones-1201724651/|website=Deadline|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609075219/http://deadline.com/2016/03/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-released-jail-sarah-jones-1201724651/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Randall Miller, Film Director, Pleads Guilty in 'Midnight Rider' Manslaughter Trial |first=Michael |last=Cieply |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/business/media/randall-miller-film-director-pleads-guilty-in-midnight-rider-manslaughter-trial.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=March 24, 2020 |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324044832/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/business/media/randall-miller-film-director-pleads-guilty-in-midnight-rider-manslaughter-trial.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web| url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/midnight-rider-first-ad-hillary-schwartz-guilty-gets-10-years-probation-1201389566/| title='Midnight Rider' First AD Hillary Schwartz Guilty; Gets 10 Years Probation – Update| last1=Robb| first1=David| last2=Busch| first2=Anita| date=March 10, 2015| website=Deadline| access-date=June 4, 2020| archive-date=June 5, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605040221/https://deadline.com/2015/03/midnight-rider-first-ad-hillary-schwartz-guilty-gets-10-years-probation-1201389566/| url-status=live}} Miller's conviction marked the first time a director was sent to prison for the death of a cast or crew member.{{cite news |last1=Robb |first1=David |last2=Busch |first2=Anita |title='Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller's Prison Sentence Marks Historic First |url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/midnight-rider-trial-randall-miller-prison-historic-1201388781/ |access-date=April 8, 2015 |newspaper=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407052802/http://deadline.com/2015/03/midnight-rider-trial-randall-miller-prison-historic-1201388781/ |url-status=live }}

Miller was released from jail on March 23, 2016, after serving slightly more than one year owing to a two-for-one deal made during negotiations for the original plea agreement with Georgia Assistant District Attorney John Johnson requiring the court to revise the original sentence, as it was deemed improper. Sarah Jones's father Richard Jones said in his statement to the court, "When [Sarah's mother] Elizabeth and I agreed to this plea, it was our understanding that he would be serving two years in jail. If had we [sic] understood that it would have been one year, we would not have agreed" and stated, "I want to be clear that we don't want to inflict—we don't mean to inflict more pain to Mr. Miller's family. We understand that... it's been quite a lot of pain for their family, but this is, in our view, about a bigger purpose. It's about making the film industry a better, safer place. And in order to do so, we feel very strongly that this is an important element that Mr. Miller be held fully accountable for what he did."{{cite web| url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-released-jail-sarah-jones-1201724651/| title='Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller Freed From Jail In Shock Ruling – Update| last1=Busch| first1=Anita| last2=Leon| first2=Patty| date=March 23, 2016| website=Deadline| access-date=June 4, 2020| archive-date=June 7, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607010122/https://deadline.com/2016/03/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-released-jail-sarah-jones-1201724651/| url-status=live}}

In July 2017, Sarah Jones's family was awarded $11.2 million in civil damages. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, "[T]he jury found that CSX (the train's operator) was primarily liable for the accident and should pay 35% of the total judgment... Miller was found responsible for 28% of the amount of the latest ruling. Rayonier Performance Fibers, owners of the land where the accident occurred, are responsible for 18% and the rest of the liability is divided between individual members of the film's production company."{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-sarah-jones-csx-verdict-20170717-story.html|title=Parents of 27-year-old woman killed while filming movie win $11.2-million judgment|last=Varian|first=Ethan|website=Los Angeles Times|date=July 18, 2017|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214205456/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-sarah-jones-csx-verdict-20170717-story.html|url-status=live}}

= ''Higher Grounds'' controversy =

In 2019, Miller directed a film entitled Higher Grounds in Serbia, London, and Colombia, during his probation.{{cite news|url = https://variety.com/2021/film/news/randall-miller-probation-judge-rules-1234909569/|title = Randall Miller Did Not Violate Probation By Directing a Film, Judge Rules|work = Variety|last = Maddaus|first = Gene|date = February 17, 2021|accessdate = February 15, 2022|archive-date = February 15, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220215192812/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/randall-miller-probation-judge-rules-1234909569/|url-status = live}} After being made aware of this early in 2020, the Jones family alerted Georgia's district attorney's office that Miller was directing a film, in apparent violation of his probation. Former Georgia Assistant District Attorney John Johnson said that Miller had violated the terms of his probation and requested a warrant for his arrest.{{Cite web |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=D'Allesandro |first2=Anthony |date=May 29, 2020 |title='Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller Faces New Arrest Warrant Over Probation Violations |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/randall-miller-arrest-warrent-probation-violations-sarah-jones-death-midnight-rider-1202946710/ |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606131948/https://deadline.com/2020/05/randall-miller-arrest-warrent-probation-violations-sarah-jones-death-midnight-rider-1202946710/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=May 29, 2020 |title=Director Randall Miller Violated His Probation by Shooting a Film Overseas, Officials Say |url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/randall-miller-violated-probation-officials-say-1234620223/ |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606191230/https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/randall-miller-violated-probation-officials-say-1234620223/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=June 3, 2020 |title=Randall Miller to Go Before Judge on Alleged Probation Violation |url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/randall-miller-probation-violation-judge-sarah-jones-1234624287/ |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=Variety |language=en |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604020230/https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/randall-miller-probation-violation-judge-sarah-jones-1234624287/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Sharpe |first1=Joshua |date=January 8, 2021 |title=South Georgia prosecutor with decades of misconduct accusations resigns |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/south-georgia-prosecutor-with-decades-of-misconduct-accusations-resigns/D7GCA3LKQNA7RCACI4RBJ5TMWM/ |access-date=January 8, 2021 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111085231/https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/south-georgia-prosecutor-with-decades-of-misconduct-accusations-resigns/D7GCA3LKQNA7RCACI4RBJ5TMWM/ |url-status=live }}

Miller and his attorneys have said that they believed that he was allowed to direct a film, so long as he was not responsible for safety. Miller said that the first assistant director, Jason Allen, was designated as the person in charge of safety.

At the hearing, the defense called several witnesses, including Miller's California parole officer, his sister, and his father-in-law, who each testified that was also their understanding. Miller also testified that that was how he understood the term. Attorney Mike Smith had told the film crew of Higher Grounds that Miller was able to direct as long as he did not oversee safety, with the film's first assistant director reportedly tasked with safety compliance; however, Johnson noted that Smith likely has a conflict of interest as he is also the movie's executive producer.{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |last3=Robb |first3=David |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Convicted 'Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller Completes New Movie Overseas; Lawyer Claims Disgraced Helmer Can Work Again, DGA Silent |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-directs-new-movie-sarah-jones-manslaughter-plea-probation-dga-higher-grounds-1202943821/ |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606121815/https://deadline.com/2020/05/midnight-rider-director-randall-miller-directs-new-movie-sarah-jones-manslaughter-plea-probation-dga-higher-grounds-1202943821/ |url-status=live }}

A hearing was held on February 17, 2021, in which Miller said that he "misunderstood" the wording of the probation agreement, in particular claiming ambiguity over whether the phrase "responsibility for safety in any film production" allowed him to work as a director provided he did not have authority in safety compliance.{{cite news|url = https://deadline.com/2021/02/randall-miller-midnight-rider-probation-violation-hearing-sarah-jones-death-georgia-1234695469/|title = 'Midnight Rider' Director Randall Miller Spared Jail Over Probation Violations|work = Deadline Hollywood|date = February 17, 2021|accessdate = February 15, 2022|last = Patten|first = Dominic|archive-date = February 15, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220215185717/https://deadline.com/2021/02/randall-miller-midnight-rider-probation-violation-hearing-sarah-jones-death-georgia-1234695469/|url-status = live}} At the close of the hearing, Judge Anthony L. Harrison ruled that Miller had not knowingly broken his probation, but said that the agreement should be understood to forbid him from directing any more films for the duration of his sentence.

On March 15, 2025, Miller was exonerated 11 years after the fatal on-set train crash. A court order completely wiped out his involuntary manslaughter conviction from his record.

Personal life

Miller has been married to Jody Savin since March 13, 1999. They have two children together.

Actress Rhea Perlman is Miller's cousin.{{cite news |last=Venutolo |first=Anthony |date=December 5, 2008 |title='Nobel Son' is no prize |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/2008/12/nobel_son_is_no_prize.html |publisher=NJ.com |location= |access-date= |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315204719/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/2008/12/nobel_son_is_no_prize.html |url-status=live }}

Filmography

Year	Title	Director	Producer	Writer	Film Editor	Actor	Notes
class="wikitable"
1984	The Ratings Game	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Car Attendant Television film
rowspan="2"\| 1985	Highway to Heaven	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Ice Cream Attentant Episode: "The Brightest Star"
Cheers	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Michael Episode: "The Executive's Executioner"
1987	Throw Momma from the Train	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Bucky
rowspan="4"\| 1990	Parker Lewis Can't Lose	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Episode: "Parker Lewis Must Lose"
Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{no}}	Short film
Thirtysomething	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Episode: "Melissa and Men"
Salute Your Shorts	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Pilot episode
rowspan="2"\| 1992	Class Act	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}
Northern Exposure	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Episode: "The Bad Seed"
rowspan="3"\| 1993	Running The Halls	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	5 episodes
CityKids	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	3 episodes
Da Vinci's War	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Randy
1995	Houseguest	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Drunk at party
1996	The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Conyers Episode: "The Missing Astronaut"
1997	The 6th Man	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{yes}}	Booster
rowspan="2"\| 1999	The Wonderful World of Disney	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Episode: "H-E Double Hockey Sticks"
H-E Double Hockey Sticks	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Television film
2000	A Tale of Two Bunnies	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Television film
rowspan="5"\| 2001	Popular	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Episode: "Fire in the Hole"
Jack & Jill	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Episode: "Pressure Points"
Freakylinks	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Episode: "Subject: Police Siren"
Till Dad Do Us Part	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Television film
Dead Last	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	Pilot episode
2005	Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School (2005)	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{no}}
2007	Nobel Son	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{no}}
2008	Bottle Shock	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	Patron
rowspan="2"\| 2013	CBGB	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}
Savannah	{{no}}	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	{{no}}
2023	Coffee Wars	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{yes}}	{{no}}	{{no}}	formerly named "Higher Grounds"