Gene Gene the Dancing Machine

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.

References

• Reardon, Dave (2002-10-20). "Patton just a part of an athletic ‘Bunch’". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. http://starbulletin.com/2002/10/20/sports/story8.html. Retrieved 2007-01-19.