Danny Gans--one of the most popular entertainers on the Las Vegas Strip over the last decade who once said that his goal was to be a multimedia star while affirming his "Christian values"--died in his sleep May 1, the Associated Press (AP) reported. He was 52. The cause of death is unknown.

"I managed him 18 years and health was never an issue," said Gans' manager and longtime friend, Chip Lightman. "Danny lived a good, clean Christian life."

Gans was "a hardworking, eager-to-please entertainer who does rapid-fire imitations of show-biz personalities ranging from Tony Bennett to Al Pacino to Sarah Vaughan," AP Drama Critic Michael Kuchwara said of the entertainer in a review.

When asked about his goal, Gans told Time magazine in a 2000 interview that he wanted "to be a multimedia star while affirming his ‘Christian values.' " Gans recorded Brand New Dream in 2000 (Sony/Word Entertainment), a Christian album featuring duets with Nicole C. Mullen and Bob Carlisle.

Gans-who had a promising baseball career before it was cut short by injury-was mourned as a "great entertainer and Las Vegas icon" by Las Vegas entertainment legends Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn. "We were blessed to be touched by his generous spirit, kind heart and insurmountable talent," said Siegfried & Roy.

Officials at Wynn Resorts, where Gans had performed four nights a week at the 1,500-seat Encore Theater since Feb. 10, and at The Mirage--where he performed from April 2000 to November 2008--said they were stunned by Gans' sudden death.

Gans is survived by his wife of 28 years, Julie, and three children-Amy, Andrew and Emily.

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