Danny Gans | Las Vegas entertainer, 52

Danny Gans, 52, one of the most popular entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip for the last decade, died in his sleep yesterday at his home in Henderson, Nev. The cause of death was not immediately available.

"All of us in the Mirage family are deeply saddened to learn of Danny's passing," said Scott Sibella, president of the Mirage. Mr. Gans performed at the Mirage for more than eight years, then moved to the Encore Theater in February.

Mr. Gans did rapid-fire imitations of personalities ranging from Tony Bennett to Al Pacino to Sarah Vaughan. He performed a one-man show, Danny Gans on Broadway: The Man of Many Voices, in 1995 at the Neil Simon Theater in New York before returning to Las Vegas.

Steve Wynn, chief executive of Wynn Resorts, called Mr. Gans' death "a profoundly tragic event that leaves us all sad and speechless."

Mr. Gans' manager, Chip Lightman, said Mr. Gans would be remembered as an entertainer and a man who loved his family, God, and the city of Las Vegas. He is survived by his wife, Julie, and his children, Amy, Andrew, and Emily.

- AP