Gans was pronounced dead in his bed shortly after police and paramedics were summoned to a report of a man not breathing at Gans’
upscale home in a gated community about 3:45 a.m., said Henderson police spokesman Todd Rasmussen. Foul play was not suspected, but police were investigating “according to standard procedure,” Rasmussen said. Clark County Coroner Michael Murphy released a statement saying a medical examination would be done Friday, but it could take several weeks to receive laboratory results and determine the cause of death. Gans’ manager and longtime friend, Chip Lightman, said Gans was in good health but slept poorly after Wednesday’s show and took a nap late Thursday afternoon, a day off. He stayed in bed into the evening, and his wife, Julie, summoned police when she couldn’t rouse him after 3 a.m. “This makes no sense,” said Lightman, who said Gans had no apparent medical issues. “I managed him 18 years and health was never an issue,” Lightman said. “Danny lived a good, clean Christian life. He was not a drug user. He would have a glass of wine because they say red wine is good for you. He didn’t smoke.” Lightman described Gans, who had a bit part as third baseman “Deke” in the 1988 classic baseball film “Bull Durham,” as an energetic health nut who watched his diet, loved to perform, and relished his involvement in Las Vegas-area fundraisers and philanthropic causes.
Gans was mourned as a “great entertainer and Las Vegas icon,” by two Las Vegas entertainment legends, Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn.