Gene Gene the Dancing Machine
Encyclopedia
Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, aka Eugene Patton (born April 25, 1932), was a member of the stage crew and occasional performer on The Gong Show
. Gene was the first African-American member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 33.
He was one of several amateur performers who would "warm up" and entertain the audience during commercial breaks. Host Chuck Barris
found him so entertaining that he had him dance on the show on-air, and he proved so popular that he soon became a recurring act, an occasional judge, and eventually the regular closing act for the show, with the credits regularly rolling over his enthusiastic dancing, often joined by Chuck, the celebrity judges, the stage hands, and whoever else felt like joining in. Usually Gong paddles, flowers, plastic fake food, stuffed animals and various other items were thrown on stage for good measure. He appeared in The Gong Show Movie
(1980) and had some dialog. His attire usually consisted of a green windbreaker jacket, bell-bottomed jeans, sneakers, a yellow polo shirt, and a black painter's hat.
The genial heavy-set man wore a green warm up outfit and often came onstage dancing to Milton Delugg's
"Band with a Thug" while they played Count Basie
's "Jumpin' at the Woodside" tune.
Gene had a cameo as himself in the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
.
After The Gong Show
was cancelled, Patton remained a stagehand at NBC. He was recognized backstage at The Tonight Show
in the 1990s.
Patton lost both legs to complications from diabetes in 2001, and wears prosthetics and walks with a cane.
The Gong Show
The Gong Show is an amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976 through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976–1980 and 1988–1989. The show was produced by Chuck Barris, who also served...
. Gene was the first African-American member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 33.
He was one of several amateur performers who would "warm up" and entertain the audience during commercial breaks. Host Chuck Barris
Chuck Barris
Charles Hirsch "Chuck" Barris is an American game show producer, film director and presenter best known for hosting The Gong Show and creating The Dating Game. Barris, a survivor of lung cancer, is also an author and claims to have worked for the CIA.-Early career:Barris was born in Oakland, New...
found him so entertaining that he had him dance on the show on-air, and he proved so popular that he soon became a recurring act, an occasional judge, and eventually the regular closing act for the show, with the credits regularly rolling over his enthusiastic dancing, often joined by Chuck, the celebrity judges, the stage hands, and whoever else felt like joining in. Usually Gong paddles, flowers, plastic fake food, stuffed animals and various other items were thrown on stage for good measure. He appeared in The Gong Show Movie
The Gong Show Movie
The Gong Show Movie is a 1980 film that shows how Chuck Barris lives through a week of being the host and creator of The Gong Show, through a series of outrageous competitors, stressful situations, a nervous breakdown and other comic hijinks in his life and work on the TV show...
(1980) and had some dialog. His attire usually consisted of a green windbreaker jacket, bell-bottomed jeans, sneakers, a yellow polo shirt, and a black painter's hat.
The genial heavy-set man wore a green warm up outfit and often came onstage dancing to Milton Delugg's
Milton DeLugg
Milton DeLugg is an American composer and arranger.-Biography:A talented accordionist, he appeared in short Soundies musicals and occasional movies . He quickly became a successful arranger and composer...
"Band with a Thug" while they played Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
's "Jumpin' at the Woodside" tune.
Gene had a cameo as himself in the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is a 2002 biographical spy film depicting the life of popular game show host and producer Chuck Barris, who claimed to have also been an assassin for the Central Intelligence Agency...
.
After The Gong Show
The Gong Show
The Gong Show is an amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976 through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976–1980 and 1988–1989. The show was produced by Chuck Barris, who also served...
was cancelled, Patton remained a stagehand at NBC. He was recognized backstage at The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
in the 1990s.
Patton lost both legs to complications from diabetes in 2001, and wears prosthetics and walks with a cane.