Fred Travalena | Vegas impressionist, 66
Impressionist Fred Travalena, 66, a regular in Vegas showrooms and on late-night talk shows with his takes on presidents, crooners and screen stars, died Sunday in Encino, Calif., after a recurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Mr. Travalena did a large number of celebrity impressions, leading to the nicknames "The Man of a Thousand Voices" and "Mr. Everybody." His act included presidents from Kennedy to Obama, musicians from Frank Sinatra to Bruce Springsteen, and actors from Marlon Brando to Tom Cruise.
He started his career in Las Vegas in 1971, and for years was an opening act, supporting such stars as Wayne Newton, Shirley Maclaine, Johnny Mathis, and Don Rickles. He gained headliner status in 2001 at the Stardust Resort and Casino, and joked that he was "an overnight sensation after 30 years in the business."
- AP
