Danny Gans
Encyclopedia
Daniel Davies Gans was an American
singer and comedian
who found regional success as a vocal impressionist
.
and the surrounding area for many years, where he was billed as "The Man of Many Voices." He had been named Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year and his production had also been awarded Show of the Year. As these awards would indicate, his fame was largely centered in Las Vegas.
Prior to entering show business, Gans was a professional baseball
player. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
after being named an All-American at California Polytechnic State University
in San Luis Obispo
where he was a Physical Education major. It was at Cal Poly that he met his wife, Julie. Later, he held a small role as a third baseman in the film Bull Durham
. After an injury ended his sporting career — a player's cleat
s tore his Achilles tendon
while he was fielding
a ground ball — Gans turned to the entertainment industry. Gans began his career on the road, performing mostly at private corporate functions. In 1992, he played Dean Martin
in the CBS miniseries Sinatra.
In 1995, he moved to Broadway
to perform a well-received one-man show, but later decided to move to Las Vegas to reduce time away from his family, who lived in Los Angeles
.
Gans started his Las Vegas stay at the Stratosphere Hotel
in 1996. He moved to the Rio Hotel
shortly thereafter and then on to The Mirage
in 2000. Gans was a permanent performer at The Mirage, where the Danny Gans Theatre was built for him.
In February 2009, Gans changed venues again and performed at Encore, the sister property to Wynn Las Vegas
. The marquee on Las Vegas Strip bearing his image, at one time, held the record as the largest freestanding marquee in the world.
His inaugural record album, produced by Michael Omartian
, was cross-marketed in both the pop
and Christian music genres and, although Gans never charted, it sold in both mainstream and Christian music outlets in much the same manner as Amy Grant
.
At the time of his death he was grossing $18 million a year.
He was also known for his vintage car collection and his passion of taking care of them.
, Nevada, shortly after his wife called paramedics saying he was having difficulty breathing. The cause of death was a drug toxicity caused by the combination of hydromorphone
(an opiate
, commonly marketed under the name Dilaudid) and a pre-existing heart condition. It was determined that his death was caused by an adverse drug reaction, and was not drug abuse-related.
Gans had three children, Andrew, Amy and Emily.
's show and promoting the role while holding a picture of himself from the movie to prove that he was, in fact, in it.
Gans played Roger in the TV series Silk Stalkings
for 12 episodes, 1991–1992, played Scott Babylon in the TV series Duet
from 1987–1989, and reprised his role in the TV series Open House
from 1989-1990. He also played a Wayne Newton impersonator on an episode of Roseanne
when they went to Las Vegas for the wedding of Arnie and Nancy.
He had an uncredited cameo as himself in the 2009 film Race To Witch Mountain
. Seen surrounded by adoring fans, a smiling Gans signs autographs. Gans was mentioned several times, but did not appear, in an episode of the TV series Gary Unmarried
(filmed before his death, but aired just afterwards on May 6, 2009). When aired, the episode was accompanied by an "In Memory Of" end-credit dedicated to Gans.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
who found regional success as a vocal impressionist
Impressionist (entertainment)
An impressionist or a mimic is a performer whose act consists of imitating the voice and mannerisms of others. The word usually refers to a professional comedian/entertainer who specializes in such performances and has developed a wide repertoire of impressions, including adding to them, often to...
.
Career
Gans was a headliner on the Las Vegas StripLas Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
and the surrounding area for many years, where he was billed as "The Man of Many Voices." He had been named Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year and his production had also been awarded Show of the Year. As these awards would indicate, his fame was largely centered in Las Vegas.
Prior to entering show business, Gans was a professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
after being named an All-American at California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo is a city in California, located roughly midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Central Coast. Founded in 1772 by Spanish Fr. Junipero Serra, San Luis Obispo is one of California’s oldest communities...
where he was a Physical Education major. It was at Cal Poly that he met his wife, Julie. Later, he held a small role as a third baseman in the film Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
. After an injury ended his sporting career — a player's cleat
Cleat (shoe)
Cleats or studs are protrusions on the sole of a shoe, or on an external attachment to a shoe, that provide additional traction on a soft or slippery surface...
s tore his Achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
while he was fielding
Fielding
Fielding may refer to:* Fielding , the action of fielders collecting the ball in cricket* The action of fielders collecting the ball at any of the nine baseball positions* Fielding, Saskatchewan, Canada* Fielding, Utah, United States...
a ground ball — Gans turned to the entertainment industry. Gans began his career on the road, performing mostly at private corporate functions. In 1992, he played Dean Martin
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was an American singer, film actor, television star and comedian. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"...
in the CBS miniseries Sinatra.
In 1995, he moved to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
to perform a well-received one-man show, but later decided to move to Las Vegas to reduce time away from his family, who lived in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Gans started his Las Vegas stay at the Stratosphere Hotel
Stratosphere Las Vegas
Stratosphere Las Vegas is a tower, hotel, and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Its tower is also the tallest observation tower, and the 5th-tallest structure, in the United States, as well as being the tallest structure in Las Vegas.It is owned by Whitehall...
in 1996. He moved to the Rio Hotel
Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino
The Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino is located off the Las Vegas Strip in the unincorporated area of Paradise, Nevada, USA. It is better known as The Rio and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Inc. The Rio was the first all suite resort in the Las Vegas area...
shortly thereafter and then on to The Mirage
The Mirage
The Mirage is a 3,044 room hotel and casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States.The Mirage is connected by a free tram to Treasure Island. The marquee in front of the Mirage is the largest free standing marquee in the world.-History:The Mirage was built by...
in 2000. Gans was a permanent performer at The Mirage, where the Danny Gans Theatre was built for him.
In February 2009, Gans changed venues again and performed at Encore, the sister property to Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas is a resort and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The US $2.7 billion resort is named after casino developer Steve Wynn and is the flagship property of Wynn Resorts Limited. The resort covers . It is located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue Wynn Las...
. The marquee on Las Vegas Strip bearing his image, at one time, held the record as the largest freestanding marquee in the world.
His inaugural record album, produced by Michael Omartian
Michael Omartian
Michael Omartian is an Armenian-American singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and music producer. He has been a participant in over 350,000,000 albums and CD’s sold worldwide, as a producer, arranger, artist or musician, during a career that has spanned over 38 years...
, was cross-marketed in both the pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and Christian music genres and, although Gans never charted, it sold in both mainstream and Christian music outlets in much the same manner as Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
.
At the time of his death he was grossing $18 million a year.
He was also known for his vintage car collection and his passion of taking care of them.
Death
Gans died on May 1, 2009, at his home in HendersonHenderson, Nevada
-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
, Nevada, shortly after his wife called paramedics saying he was having difficulty breathing. The cause of death was a drug toxicity caused by the combination of hydromorphone
Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone, a more common synonym for dihydromorphinone, commonly a hydrochloride is a very potent centrally-acting analgesic drug of the opioid class. It is a derivative of morphine, to be specific, a hydrogenated ketone thereof and, therefore, a semi-synthetic drug...
(an opiate
Opiate
In medicine, the term opiate describes any of the narcotic opioid alkaloids found as natural products in the opium poppy plant.-Overview:Opiates are so named because they are constituents or derivatives of constituents found in opium, which is processed from the latex sap of the opium poppy,...
, commonly marketed under the name Dilaudid) and a pre-existing heart condition. It was determined that his death was caused by an adverse drug reaction, and was not drug abuse-related.
Gans had three children, Andrew, Amy and Emily.
Film history
Gans had been noted many times for his role in Bull Durham, although his part in the movie was ultimately downsized. He used this role as an addition to his resume, even going on Roy FirestoneRoy Firestone
Roy Firestone is an American sports commentator and journalist. Firestone is a graduate of Miami Beach High School and the University of Miami.-Television career:...
's show and promoting the role while holding a picture of himself from the movie to prove that he was, in fact, in it.
Gans played Roger in the TV series Silk Stalkings
Silk Stalkings
Silk Stalkings is a TV crime drama originally shown on CBS in 1991 as part of the network's late-night Crimetime After Primetime programming package, and rebroadcast on the USA Network. After CBS ended the Crimetime experiment in 1993, the series ran exclusively on USA until its finale in the...
for 12 episodes, 1991–1992, played Scott Babylon in the TV series Duet
Duet (TV series)
Duet is an American sitcom that aired on Fox from April 19, 1987 to August 20, 1989...
from 1987–1989, and reprised his role in the TV series Open House
Open House (TV series)
Open House is an American sitcom that aired on Fox from August 27, 1989 to July 21, 1990. The series was a spin-off of the Fox series Duet...
from 1989-1990. He also played a Wayne Newton impersonator on an episode of Roseanne
Roseanne (TV series)
Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
when they went to Las Vegas for the wedding of Arnie and Nancy.
He had an uncredited cameo as himself in the 2009 film Race To Witch Mountain
Race to Witch Mountain
Race to Witch Mountain is a 2009 science fiction/thriller film and a remake of the original 1975 fantasy film, Escape to Witch Mountain. Both versions of the film are based on the 1968 novel Escape to Witch Mountain by Alexander Key...
. Seen surrounded by adoring fans, a smiling Gans signs autographs. Gans was mentioned several times, but did not appear, in an episode of the TV series Gary Unmarried
Gary Unmarried
Gary Unmarried was an American sitcom created by Ed Yeager, which ran on CBS from September 24, 2008 to March 17, 2010. The series focuses on a recently divorced couple sharing custody of their kids while starting new relationships...
(filmed before his death, but aired just afterwards on May 6, 2009). When aired, the episode was accompanied by an "In Memory Of" end-credit dedicated to Gans.
External links
- Baseball Reference article
- DannyGans.com, official web site
- Danny Gans at Internet Movie Database
- Cal Poly Magazine story about Danny Gans
- Danny Gans on EncoreLasVegas.com
- Elko Daily Free Press Gans' obit
- Report of Gans' death
- Los Angeles Times report of Gans' death
- Notice of Gans' death in Las Vegas Sun
- TabloidBaby.com's coverage of Gans' death and reaction
- 911 call from Dannys' wife, report of Danny not responding