LAS VEGAS, NV (KLAS-TV) - Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans is dead. The singer, actor and impressionist died suddenly in his sleep early Friday morning.
Gans, who was 52-years-old, was the headliner at the Encore Resort and over the years had been billed as "The Man of Many Voices". He was named "Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year" a dozen times.
Gans was found around 3:44 a.m. by his wife, Julie, at their home in Henderson. He was reportedly having trouble breathing. When paramedics arrived seven minutes later, he was prounced dead. The coroner is waiting on tests to determine the cause of death.
Danny Gans manager, Chip Lightman, issued a statement after learning of Gan's death: "Danny Gans will not only be remembered as a Las Vegas entertainer, but as a man who loved his family, loved God and loved the city of Las Vegas. Danny has been my partner and dear friend for over 18 years. I will truly miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife of 28 years, Julie, and his three children, Amy, Andrew and Emily."
Gans wasn't always an entertainer. He played minor league baseball until he suffered an injury. He began performing full-time in Las Vegas in 2008, most of that time at the Mirage. He reconnected with Steve Wynn when he moved his show to the Encore earlier this year.
"Elaine and I and all of us in the Company are devastated at the loss of our brilliant, talented and loving friend. One of the most unique human beings and entertainers in the world has been taken from us in an unexpected moment. A profoundly tragic event that leaves us all sad and speechless. The loss of Danny to his wife Julie, his children Amy, Andrew & Emily is at this moment impossible to comprehend. We will all try to go on with our lives without our dear friend. At this moment it seems almost impossible," said Steve and Elaine Wynn in a prepared statement.
Gans also co-produced shows on the Las Vegas Strip bringing Donny and Marie Osmond to the Flamingo and also orginially bringing comedian George Wallace there as well.
" Everybody, they won't tell you but I will. Every entertainer in Las Vegas thinks I want to be like Danny Gans. I want that audience. I want that full house every night," Wallace said.
Gans was active in the Las Vegas community where he hosted charity events and was featured prominently on billboards in and around town. The electronic marquee in front of the Encore posted his picture and the message: "Our friend forever, Danny Gans. 1956-2009." He opened Feb. 10 in the 1,500-seat Encore Theater in a concourse between the posh Encore and Wynn resorts on the Strip. Show nights were Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Dunne said Gans did not perform Thursday night.
Entertainer Frankie Scinta said of Gans, "If you told me someone died in Las Vegas today, the last person I would think it would be is Danny Gans. We lost a Pioneer. Everybody wanted to be Danny Gans working at the perfect Casino with a perfect audience. This is beyond shock."
For people who bought tickets to Gans' show, the money will be refunded. If you used a credit card and haven't picked up the tickets, the refund should be automatic. If you have the tickets, just return them to the box office.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
