Daniel Duran, II

Danny Duran, a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle and cherished friend, passed away surrounded by his family and friends on June 4, after an eight-month battle with cancer. He was 58.

Born in the San Fernando Valley and a lifelong Californian, Danny (aka DD, “her Maj,” and Mijo) studied marketing at California State University, Bakersfield. Of all that he learned in college, he was most proud of learning to make tortillas and Mexican rice, skills he learned from his favorite roommate, Nana.

His professional journey took him from working as a temp at Walt Disney Studios to becoming a key member of the studio feature publicity team, where he was integral in orchestrating large-scale premiere events. He built on experience with Fortis Films and Disney to establish his own boutique PR agency, ddPR, specializing in home entertainment from his kitchen table in 2000. His client roster featured the big wigs of Hollywood—Sony, Universal, Disney, Lionsgate and others.

Danny’s work was about shining the spotlight elsewhere, not on himself. His personal life was much the same. Moving to West Hollywood in 2005 set the tone for the next 20 years of his life. With his husband, Blain, they opened their guest room as a safe haven for friends, guests and those in need of a place to stay. He was devoted to his family and was a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, serving on the Board of Directors for The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth.

Mijo cherished the family camping trips (yes, camping!) when he was young and the fabulous round-the-world extravaganzas that came later. A true momma’s boy and all-around family man, Danny dedicated his free time to enriching their lives—spending many days in Winnetka or Bakersfield sharing his always positive attitude at BBQs, pool days and Basque lunches. He was especially close to his aunts, cousins, sister and brother (technically in-law), and nieces.

Her Maj was the sun of the social circle—the light and happiness we all revolved around. He was the hub of our community and knew how to throw a party, whether it was a backyard BBQ, watching the Oscars or a regular Friday night, watching Britney or Madonna videos, with pets Ponce, Peri and later, LooLoo, at their feet. You could often find him holding court with long-time friends at Marix or making dinner plans with literal strangers. A super social person by nature, Danny’s calendar was always full. He was curious about people and in expanding his circle of friends and valued building connections.

Danny was unique in maintaining long-term friendships from childhood—bonds that lasted decades. A devoted friend for life, he made people feel seen, supported, and loved. He was up for any adventure, always saying yes to a new plan or spontaneous outing. Danny made a lasting impression—his presence subtle but significant, his impact enduring. He had a rare gift for making people’s lives better, simply by being part of them.

He is survived by his devoted husband of 18 years, Blain; his mother, Marie; his father, Big Danny; his sister, Daniella; brother-in-law, Kevin; and his beloved nieces, Alanna and Isabelle. In their hearts, each of them carries treasured memories of him that shine brightly, like the moon in the night sky.

Danny will be celebrated during a funeral service on June 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, in Los Angeles, CA. A celebration of life will follow, for family and friends to gather, share stories, and cheers to a life too short, but a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to The Trevor Project.