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Gene Patton
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Gene Patton

GENE (GENE GENE THE DANCING MACHINE) PATTON, appeared up to three times a week on The Gong Show. A prop-man by trade, Gene could not resist dancing, broom in hand, to the band' s music, while he worked from behind the stage. When Barris caught wind of it, he urged Gene to perform on camera. States Patton, "So, I came out on stage, and Chuck continued to ask me time and again. So, I kept on doing it. Countless acts later, Patton was a Gong Show regular. Chuck nicknamed me β€˜ Gene Gene' because he said I was such a good dancer, he had to name me twice." Patton was not the only crew member to appear on the show. "Chuck would use a lot of the crew to fill slots. The β€˜ Priest' was actually the head of our union, a man named Ed Holland. The β€˜ Nun' was Jon (Jocko) Kearns, our business agent. Chuck used as many people as were willing. Hair, make-up people, you name it…"

Born on April 25 th , 1932 in Berkely, California, Gene Patton moved to Los Angeles and became a stagehand on numerous shows, including, Laugh-In, Midnight Special, The Dean Martin Show, Don Rickles, Regis Philbin, The Richard Pryor Show, Sanford and Son, Andy Williams and many others. Until 1997, he worked as a member of the lighting crew on The Tonight Show, where, due to illness, he ultimately retired.

Currently, Patton enjoys living with his wife in Pasadena, and spending time with his children, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild, who live everywhere "from Eureka, to Honolulu, to Houston, to Dallas, to Rialto, Altadena and Rancho Cucamonga, California." He devotes much of his time to creating awareness about diabetes and making sure people, young and old, get tested. "I didn' t know how long I had it, until I got sick. A survivor, Patton never lets it get him down. One day, he says, I will dance again!"


Note: This profile was written in or before 2003.

Gene Patton Facts

OccupationTV Host
BirthdayApril 25, 1932 (91)
SignTaurus
BirthplaceBerkeley, California, USA

Selected Filmography

Not available.