For anybody getting into the Warner Bros. Studios lot, one worker who is bound to make you are feeling at house is Hariton Harry Dashjian.

Dashjian is Armenian however was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq and left for the USA as a young person in 1978. The youngest of 4 boys, Dashjian, alongside along with his father, made plans to satisfy his mom and two of his brothers who had already immigrated to Southern California.

The 2 first stopped in Istanbul, Turkey earlier than touring to Athens, Greece. From there, they went to Italy and tried to journey to the USA. When this preliminary try was unsuccessful, they returned to Greece, then Canada earlier than efficiently getting into the USA in 1980. 9 years later, Dashjian relocated to Burbank, the place he has resided ever since. Though his father ran a thriving enterprise in Baghdad, Dashjian says he and his household selected to maneuver to America seeking extra freedom {and professional} alternatives.

We dreamed of coming to America from our nation, Dashjian stated. We had a superb life over there. However once more, I say this as a result of we dreamed of coming to America America, it is nonetheless the nation No. 1. I find it irresistible. Each morning I say: thank God I am in probably the most stunning nation on the earth. Folks take it as a right. So we simply wished to return to America for a greater life.

After settling in Los Angeles, Dashjian took on numerous roles comparable to a waiter, jeweler, drummer in a Center Japanese band, and waiter. He spoke no English throughout his early days within the US and Dashjian’s work in hospitality supplied him with the chance to be taught the language as he communicated with prospects. He labored for a time on the French restaurant Robaire’s and in 1989 was employed as a waiter at Mistral, a bistro in Sherman Oaks. Many Warner Bros. executives frequented this restaurant, and Dashjian later discovered that the movie manufacturing firm was trying to fill a service bartender place of their wonderful eating room.

Dashjian utilized, earned the job, and joined Warner Bros. in 2000. As of 2023, he is been the supervisor of the wonderful eating room for practically 10 years. Muhammad Ali, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Pacino, Jennifer Lopez, Dolly Parton, George Clooney and stars of Warner Bros. hit exhibits like Buddies, ER and Full Home are just some well-known faces Dashjian has met on the job. As he displays on his years of movie star sightings at Warner Bros., Dashjian notes that the leisure trade’s most achieved professionals have persistently proven themselves respectful visitors on the commissary.

I’ve seen all of them. Everybody has been right here and everyone seems to be so humbled, Dashjian stated. For instance, with me and George Clooney, George Clooney is available in and has to offer me a hug. We’re so shut like this, persons are so shut.

Different notable public figures like the previous president of France and the president of the Dominican Republic have dined at Warner Bros. Dashjian says one in all his most attention-grabbing encounters was within the early 2000s, when he and his colleagues served a prince of Saudi Arabia that Dashjian spoke to in Arabic.

Within the years main as much as Dashjian’s promotion to teach, Julene Rury was his captain commissioner. Earlier than Rury’s demise in 2012, he handed on his work planner to Dashjian, which he used for years and which he has stored to this present day. Planner reveals snippets of Warner Bros. historical past, like Rury’s handwritten meal order that Jennifer Aniston ate day by day for lunch throughout her years starring on Buddies: a chopped salad with no added salami, hen, and cucumber , plenty of chickpeas and balsamic French dressing and parmesan shavings on the aspect.

Whereas at work, Dashjian typically wears specifically made ties given to him by Warner Bros. workers that includes logos from iconic tasks comparable to Buddies and the Batman movie franchises. He proudly wears these clothes that signify the historical past of the legendary leisure efforts at Warner, the place Dashjian says he loves[s] the power and there may be at all times one thing to do.

Dashjian continued to carry out his duties at Mistral within the evenings whereas caring for Warner Bros. eating corridor guests in the course of the day for over 20 years. He has stepped away from his place at Mistral lately and has remained targeted on main his group of staffers at Warner.

In his private life, Dashjian is a big Manchester United fan and has performed and coached soccer. Just like his teaching method, Dashjian leverages the strengths of his Warner Bros. crew and has confidence within the talents of his staff.

Once you’re a supervisor, you wish to know which participant performs the place, Dashjian stated. After which in fact you coach it, you’ll be able to’t simply inform them what to do 24/7. It’s a must to glide, then let it go.

He added, I’ve a superb crew. I really like my crew. I really like my boys as a result of with out them I’m no person. That is the best way it goes.

The refined eating room can accommodate 140 to 150 individuals, not counting the seats in its three personal rooms and on the outside patio. Throughout busy lunch hours, Dashjian mentors workers to make sure that each buyer has a optimistic expertise in a chic but inviting venue. The dearest moments she has encountered in managing this house are these by which she notices how comfy her purchasers really feel.

I really like the appears to be like on their faces after I see they’re comfy,” Dashjian stated of the wonderful eating room visitors. Particularly after they go away they provide me a hug, they simply shake fingers, after which you’ll be able to really feel the handshake too, they’re actually real. And that makes my day.

Not solely does her pleasant demeanor and powerful work ethic translate into buyer satisfaction, however Dashjian persistently finds herself gleefully drifting away from serving to others.

I like to do [customers] Completely happy. I believe that is what I do, and that makes me comfortable too, Dashjian stated.

His effectivity has been acknowledged a number of occasions by Warner Bros. executives, together with when a free worker profile on Dashjian was printed in a 2007 firm e-newsletter. Moreover, former WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar applauded the job efficiency by Dashjian in a 2022 sequence posts on social media.

One thing I discovered so constant about Harry is that it would not matter when you’re Jennifer Lopez or somebody who demolishes on day one merely making an attempt to ascertain a foothold Harry treats *everybody* like a film star, Kilar wrote by way of Twitter. He then stated, “If there may be/ever was a mayor of the Warner Bros lot in Burbank, it could be Harry Dashjian.” For greater than 20 years, Harry has been making a optimistic impression on Hollywood historical past, even when he’s too humble [to] say one thing like that. You will not discover a kinder and extra beneficiant individual than Harry.

Equally, Steve Caloca, former government director of meals providers and occasions at Warner Bros. Leisure, praised Dashjian in an introductory paragraph for a earlier Worker Highlight movie.

What I really like about working with Harry is that I do know he at all times appears to be like out for his purchasers’ finest pursuits, Caloca stated within the commentary. He just about is aware of everybody within the lot they usually positively know him. Typically I’m wondering if it is doable that somebody on the lot would not know Harry. He actually is so liked and admired!

This month marked Warner Bros.’ a centesimal anniversary and the studio launched a marketing campaign, “Celebrating Each Story”, in honor of the commemoration. At a company occasion highlighting the marketing campaign, an worker video was performed that includes Dashjian, in addition to different Warner associates, in addition to stars comparable to Clooney, Quinta Brunson, Daniel Radcliffe, Clint Eastwood and Oprah Winfrey. When Dashjian appeared within the clip, his arrival on the display screen was met with a wave of heat applause from the group.

As well as, the elegant eating room prospects have been repeatedly received over by Dashjian. One common, for instance, despatched him a be aware on New 12 months’s Eve 2023 thanking him for his generosity and affectionately calling him Mayor Harry.

Since he not too long ago celebrated his 61st birthday, Dashjian says he feels it[s] very fortunate for his private {and professional} path. Each of his dad and mom are sadly lifeless, however Dashjian is proud to know that, by means of nice perseverance, his household’s sacrifices have led to the belief of his ambitions.

Each morning after I drive right here why [my parents are] proper right here within the [Forest Lawn] Hollywood Hills I blow them a kiss each morning. They took me to the most effective nation on the earth, Dashjian stated. I really like my life, I’ve my stunning spouse and delightful daughter, and I’ve no regrets. The start was tough, however once more I used to be younger and labored and labored, after which we made it.