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Gene Gene the Dancing Machine From ‘The Gong Show,’ Gene Patton, Dies at 82, the family announced the passing to the Pasadena Star-News. In his obituary, it was revealed he is survived by his four children, Bonnie, Carol, Sidney and Courtney, along with their nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He passed away in Pasadena and suffered from diabetes, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
A native of Berkeley, California, Gene-Gene often appeared on The Gong Show at random moments on the game show, after he was introduced by host Chuck Barris. The curtains would open and the performer would shuffle his signature move onto the stage to “Jumpin’ at the Woodside” by Count Basie. As he danced, Barris, the judges, audience members and even the cameramen, would join in on the groove.
Barris described Patton by the following in his memoir Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, “One day, during rehearsal, I saw Gene dancing by himself in a dark corner. The huge stagehand never moved his feet; just his body from the waist up. He was terrific.”
In addition to his appearances on the NBC variety show, Patton also appeared as Gene-Gene in The Gong Show Movie and as himself in George Clooney’s film adaptation of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. As seen in his brief appearance in that film, he had lost his legs at that point to his diabetes.
Agencies/Canadajournal
