In this Feb. 18, 2007, photo, Danny Gans is shown at the NBA All-Star game in Las Vegas. Gans died Friday morning at his home in Henderson, Nev. (Bob Brye/Associated Press, Las Vegas News Bureau)Danny Gans, who was voted Vegas "Entertainer of the Year" for 11 of the 13 years he played on the Las Vegas strip, died suddenly Friday morning at the age of 52.
Gans was found dead about 3 a.m. by his wife of 28 years, Julie, at the family home in Henderson, Nev. He had complained of shortness of breath, said Jennifer Dunne, spokeswoman for the Wynn Resorts where Gans had performed at the Encore Theatre since February, in a press statement.
The cause of death was not released.
The electronic marquee in front of the Encore Theatre carried a picture of Gans on Friday, with the message, "Our Friend Forever, Danny Gans, 1956-2009."
A comedian, singer and actor, Gans was best known for his rapid-fire imitations of celebrities, ranging from Tony Bennett to Sarah Vaughan.
His Las Vegas run began in 1996 at the Stratosphere Hotel, and he played at the Mirage for nearly eight years before moving to the Encore this year.
Variety magazine reported that he was active in the Las Vegas community, frequently hosting charity events.
In 1995, Gans performed a one-man show, Danny Gans on Broadway: The Man of Many Voices, at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York.
In 1992, he played Dean Martin in the CBS miniseries Sinatra.
At one time, Gans was a professional baseball player. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals out of high school and played in the minor leagues.
He turned to entertainment after an injury ended his sports career.
Gans is survived by his wife and three children: Amy, Andrew and Emily.
With files from The Associated Press
