Michael (along with his one blue & one green-eyed cat, Puff) just bought the famous Genesee Mountain landmark “Sculptured House” built in the 1960’s and made famous in the Woody Allen 1973 movie “Sleeper.”
Former owner John Huggins, Denver’s Director of Economic Development, hosted numerous charitable fundraisers in the home, and Michael plans to continue doing the same. In fact, Mr. Dunahay is hoping to bring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton back to the house for a fundraiser benefiting the Denver International Film Society.
Michael Dunahay, an adventurous, fun-loving guy, knows he has just bought a slice of Colorado history and is very protective of the property. Dunahay says: “It’s a huge responsibility; everyone knows this house, and everyone wants to see it. I am so fortunate to be able to buy a house I’ve always wanted and be able to share it with the people of Colorado somehow.”
What word best describes your life right now? Great!
What made you decide to buy the “Sleeper” house? I’ve always wanted it. I’ve driven by it a million times through the years. My mom always said it had the best view in Colorado, and a view is very important.
What do you love most about Colorado? The people and the mountains.
What charitable organizations are you or have you been involved with? The Foundation for the Blind, American Cancer Society, and the Arthritis Foundation. I’m going to get more involved with the others such as the Boys Scouts of America.
What event do you most look forward to attending each year? Actor, Robert Wagner has the Celebrity Tennis Tournament each year in Southern California that I like to attend; and this year, I’m looking forward to attending Western Fantasy for VOA.
What is your most marked characteristic? I’m easy going.
What is the best book you have ever read? Anything by Hermann Hesse such as Siddhartha.
What magazine can’t you live without? Arizona Highways.
What is your all-time favorite restaurant? Daniel in Manhattan on the Upper East Side.
What three things are always in your refrigerator? Milk, Garlic, and Champagne (my favorite is Veuve Clicquot).
What is your fondest childhood memory? Going on vacation with my mom and dad and talking about it before and after at the dinner table.
What is something you learned from your parents then that still applies today? How to be a gentleman.
When you were a young boy, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up? A Lawyer.
Why didn’t you pursue a career in law? Because I decided I wanted to deal with people’s pleasures and not their problems.
What do you think is the biggest problem we are facing in this country today? Whether or not we should stay in Iraq; and what direction we should be taking in the Middle East.
There is a big gap in our country between the wealthy and those living in poverty; what can be done for those who don’t see much hope for their future? People with money should take more of an initiative to help people who don’t have money learn how to create success for themselves through education and mentoring. I would love to talk with people, like in New Orleans, about what has helped me achieve the success I am enjoying. I’d direct them, advise them, and guide them on how to get up and motivated to change their lives.
What is your proudest accomplishment? My daughter.
What is your favorite leisure time sport or activity? Hiking.
When you watch TV, what do you usually tune in to the most? I usually only watch TV when I’m traveling and staying in a hotel room. Then I switch around and watch all channels.
If you were to write your autobiography, what would the title of it be? “The Adventures of a Young Man”
You have traveled extensively; what is your favorite vacation spot in the world? Paris.
Is there a quote or motto that has helped guide you through life? There’s many, but here’s a favorite: “When the going gets tough, the tough go on vacation.” (laugh)
Who is your hero or mentor? Walter Annenberg, the first person to give away a billion dollars. I’d like to be able to do that.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness? World Peace.
How do you want to be remembered? Often.
What do you want your epitaph to read? “He was a Great Guy!”
What’s in the future for Michael Dunahay? I’m pretty involved with my company, Vacation Solutions, and my other business interests. I will be spending lots of time also with a new company I am involved in: Auction Automation. We work with groups that do Silent Auctions; and it’s all computerized, so it eliminates the paperwork, and it is known to generate more money for the organizations.
