Industry Noize: Dan Spellens Retires

As the Director of Theaters & Entertainment, Spellens is given much of the credit for helping SMG revive artists’ interests in playing what had been two largely underutilized venues in Southern California.

In December 2012 he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is more commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

His doctors told him he should retire but he wasn’t ready to hear it. He could still communicate and get around with some assistance and wasn’t ready to leave.

“How can you love a job as much as I do and not work if you can?” he wondered. But he knew the day would come when the progressive muscular disease would make it too difficult to continue.

His verbal communication is still very good but mobility issues finally forced him to announce his retirement on March 7.

“SMG has been great to me throughout my 15 years here, and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together for the City of Long Beach,” he said.

Spellens began his career in 1972 as assistant to Rob Heller and also did stints at ABC and William Morris before shifting to related industry interests.

Spellens may be gone from his Long Beach post, but he said he would welcome hearing from friends at his personal email bumsfan55@verizon.net.

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