Danny Gans

Danny Gans died early this morning, after a family member called 911 to say Danny was having trouble breathing. By the time paramedics arrived, he was dead.Besides being a gifted entertainer, Gans was a pretty good athlete -- in fact, he was drafted by the KC Royals out of high school and played minor league ball.Gans is a legend in Las Vegas -- the self described "musical impressionist" signed a $150 million contract in 2000. A ticket rep at Steve Wynn's Encore hotel tells us they just got the call and the entire staff is "shocked and upset."

While Gans began his career as a pro baseball player, eventually nabbing a bit part in Bull Durham, he has been a Vegas mainstay since 1996 and, befitting his stature, had the honor of possessing the largest freestanding marquee in the world.Sin City performer extraordinaire Danny Gans—relatively unknown outside of Las Vegas, but a megastar on the Strip—died in his sleep early this morning at the age of 52. His cause of death was not immediately known.

Last year the headliner, who described himself as a "musical impressionist," capped off 11 straight wins as Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year, and in February moved his routinely sold-out Mirage show to his own theater at Steve Wynn's Encore."Elaine and I and all of us in the company are devastated at the loss of our brilliant, talented and loving friend," Wynn said in a statement. "One of the most unique human beings and entertainers in the world has been taken from us in an unexpected moment.