Danny Gans, one of the most popular entertainers — and people — in Las Vegas died in his sleep last night at the age of 52.
In February Gans moved his show from the Danny Gans Theatre at the Mirage to Steve Wynn's Encore Theatre at the new Encore Hotel and Casino. Gans had first come to the Mirage when Wynn built it.
Gans was named "Entertainer of the Year" 11 times in a Las Vegas newspaper's annual poll. He was a gifted, versatile impressionist, singer and dancer. In 1995 Gans' show, The Man of Many Voices was at the Neil Simon Theater on Broadway. Gans also played in several TV shows (he was a Wayne Newton impersonator in an episode of Roseanne) and played Deke in Bull Durham.
The cause of death is unknown.
Steve Wynn issued the following statement: "Elaine and I and all of us in the company are devestated 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, at this moment is impossible to comprehend. We will all try to go on with our lives without our dear friend. At this moment it seems almost impossible."
Danny Gans’ Manager Chip Lightman said, “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.”
In September I interviewed Gans for a supplement I was writing for the monthly Luxury Las Vegas. It was about men and their watches and, doing the stories, I saw millions of dollars worth of watches that were part of large watch collections. They had lots of flash and diamonds that could be seen from miles away. Danny Gans stood out in that crowd. The interview, which took place in his Mirage dressing room — a room filled with sports memorabilia — is reprinted below with permission.
Danny Gans has been a Las Vegas legend from the time he arrived 12 years ago with a stint at the Stratosphere. He moved on to the Rio and, then, his own theater at the Mirage. On November 22, he will play his last show there prior to opening at the Encore in a new production in mid-January. In addition, he and his partner Chip Lightman will produce Donny and Marie’s show at the Flamingo.
Gans made the move off the road and into Las Vegas to be with his family. He and Julie have been married for 26 years and are the parents of two daughters and a son.
When did you get your first watch? Who gave it to you? What kind was it?
My father gave me a Miller watch when I graduated the 8th grade. He noticed I wasn’t wearing it and asked me why. I told him I was worried about losing it and he took it and put it in his drawer. Then came high school graduation and all the kids were talking about what they’d get as gifts. One kid was getting a car, another something else. You remember — Graduation’s an exciting time. When I graduated my father gave me back the watch. I still have it. I never put a battery in it. I never got a new strip. I keep it on my desk, next to a picture of my father.
Why do you think watches became the first jewelry status symbol for men?
For me it’s never been that way. I’ve always looked at watches as functional things. Even when I got the Lucien Piccard (see “favorite watch” below), I wasn’t attached to it for its jewelry status. It was other meaning — the extrinsic meaning
What is your favorite watch?
I have a Lucien Piccard watch that was given by my grandmother to my grandfather for an anniversary gift, perhaps in 1935 or, even, earlier. When my dad got married, my grandfather gave it to my dad and when I got married my dad gave it to me. I wear it on special occasions — the night of every major opening — the Stratosphere, the Rio, the Mirage, Encore — and every TV show. I also love my daily watch and I wear it everywhere but on stage. It’s a Breitling given to me by my wife and you can bang it up. It’s great. I don’t feel dressed unless I’m wearing it. It’s a part of my jewelry trilogy.
What is your most unique watch?
The Lucien Piccard. I took it to a jeweler at one time and he couldn’t believe it. He said it was priceless. It’s white gold, with diamonds and sapphires around it. The original band was white gold and my dad changed it because it was too much bling.
How many watches do you have?
I have five. The one my father gave me when I graduated, the one that was my grandfather’s that I’ll give to my son when he gets married and the Breitling. I have a Jerry Lewis watch that he sent me after he saw me do an interview with (sports commentator) Roy Firestone.
I also have a watch I’ve never worn. It is a Rolex given to me by Steve Wynn. I did a special show for him when he had a dinner for Henry Kissinger’s birthday. It was an intimate event — there was more security than guests — and I did it as a favor for a friend, Steve came up to me before the show. He said, “See my watch?” It was a platinum Rolex. I admired it and he gave me one exactly like it. It’s very special. I’ll probably wear it at the opening part at Encore next year.
As long as we’re talking about time, do you manage time well?
I’m a time nut. One thing my father instilled in me is being on time. I have a lot of clocks on my walls and I write a list each night of what I’m doing the next day and put a time estimate next to each item.
What, for you, was the best time?
There are so many. One of the ones that stands out was when I was 17 and my dream was to become a pro baseball player; I was the number one prospect in the US at Torrance High School. It was the realization that all my hard work had come to fruition. When I was seven and decided I wanted to play ball, my father and I came up with a 10-year plan and it worked. That small moment of time, when I realized we’d done it— was perfect. Shortly thereafter I broke my ankle in a baseball game and missed my entire senior year. I went to college, but never played in the majors. My son has been drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays. When it was over and I knew I couldn’t play, I was still someone who had tasted it — a childhood dream came true — and I wanted something that could give me that same feeling; something you could work at it every day and get that satisfaction. Of course, these are wonderful times, too. I’ve achieved what I set out to achieve 12 years ago when I came to Las Vegas. Knowing that is good.
