Gene Patton, known to millions of ‘70s daytime TV viewers as “Gene Gene The Dancin’ Machine” on Chuck Barris’ “The Gong Show,” died this week in Pasadena after a long battle with diabetes. He was 82.
Patton was a stagehand on the popular but wacky talent show that brought together a variety of acts from the sublime to the ridiculous. But it was when Barris, the irreverent host, would suddenly stop his monologue and exclaim to the audience: “You hear the music (Count Basie’s “Jumpin’ at the Woodside”) and you know what that means! It’s Gene Gene the Dancin’ Machine!” and audience pandemonium would ensue. The curtains would open and Patton would do his signature soft shoe to the Big Band groove. And as he danced, Barris, the judges, audience members—and even the cameraman on occasion—would join the fun.
Barris, who also produced the popular “Newlywed” and “Dating” games, described Patton in his memoir “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”: “One day, during rehearsal, I saw Gene dancing by himself in a dark corner. The huge stagehand never moved his feet; just his body from the waist up. He was terrific.” Patton also appeared as Gene-Gene in “The Gong Show Movie” (1980) and as himself in George Clooney’s 2002 film adaptation of the Barris autobiography. By then, Patton had lost both legs to diabetes.
While Patton would dance and Barris would adorn silly hats, the show staff would toss rubber chickens, articles of clothing, toys and even basketballs, the latter Patton would catch and dribble as he danced. The impromptu dance would eventually lead Patton to become a regular act on the show.
“The Gong Show” was said to be incredibly goofy—and sometimes just plain awful—but had tremendous audience loyalty in the days of afternoon soap operas, sitcom reruns and old movies. The show could be called the antithesis of today’s “America’s Got Talent” as the contestants were more often terrible and guest judges like comedians Jaye P. Morgan and Rip Taylor would stand and bang a gong before dispatching the act. Pop star Cheryl Lynn (“Got To Be Real”) made her TV debut on the show.
Patton had been a high school janitor before becoming the first Black member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 33, in 1969.
