Danny Gans Las Vegas

Danny Gans famed Las Vegas performer is dead. Danny Gans died today. Gans was 52. Gans’ death was confirmed by Las Vegas Wynn rep Jennifer Dunne moments ago.Funeral arrangements have not been announced. No official statement by from family has been issued.Danny Gans, one of the most popular entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip for the last decade, died in his sleep Friday. He was 52.

Henderson police didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment, and the Clark County coroner's office said no information about Gans was immediately available.Gans, who performed at The Mirage for more than eight years, moved to the Encore Theater in February. The electronic marquee in front of the Encore posted his picture and the message: "Our friend forever, Danny Gans. 1956-2009."

Gans opened Feb. 10 in the 1,500-seat Encore Theater in a concourse between the posh Encore and Wynn resorts on the Strip.His manager, Chip Lightman, released a statement saying Gans would be remembered as an entertainer and a man who loved his family, God and the city of Las Vegas."The loss of Danny to his wife Julie, his children, Amy, Andrew and Emily is at this moment impossible to comprehend," Wynn said in a statement.

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.