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BestOfVegas.com is sad to report that beloved Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans passed away unexpectedly this morning. The long-time headliner died early Friday morning around 3 am in his Las Vegas home in his sleep. Gans was 52 years old.
No details about the cause of death are available at this time, as Encore representatives are revealing little out of respect for his family’s privacy. Needless to say, however, his sudden death came as a shock to the entire hotel staff, particularly Encore and Wynn Las Vegas owner Steve Wynn. He released the following statement:
“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 and 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.”
Gans, a legend in Las Vegas, was best known as a “musical impressionist” with the ability to mimic over 300 voices. An entertainer in Las Vegas for more than 12 years, Gans started out at The Stratosphere in 1996, moving to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino shortly therafter and onto The Mirage in 2000. There, Gans was a resident headliner in the Danny Gans Theater, where his show earned him the title of “Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year” for 11 years in a row.
In early 2009, Gans moved from the Mirage to Wynn’s newly built Encore, sister property to the Wynn Las Vegas. His show there opened on February 10 and had been receiving rave reviews from critics and fans all over the Strip. Billed as the “Man of Many Voices,” Gans wowed audiences with impressions of Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and more, in addition to more modern figures like Jason Mraz, Robin Thicke, and James Blunt. During his 90-minute show, Gans masterfully transitioned from one character to the other, providing continuous entertainment.
In addition to being a well-known headliner, Gans was also an athlete. Before coming to Vegas, he was drafted by the KC Royals out of high school and played minor league baseball. His athletic career was brought to an end by injury, though, at which point Gans found a new start in show business. In addition to touring around the country, he had small roles in television and film, including the movie Bill Durham. Gans also released multiple Christian albums and produced the Donny & Marie Osmond show currently at the Flamingo.
Gans is survived by a wife and three children. He will most certainly be missed by Las Vegas locals and visitors alike.
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