Gene Patton, affectionately known to millions as “Gene Gene The Dancing Machine” from NBC’s zany The Gong Show, passed away on Monday at the age of 82. His family announced his death, marking the end of an era for fans who remember his infectious moves and the joy he brought to television screens. Patton, a stagehand behind the scenes at NBC in Burbank, unexpectedly became a star thanks to his impromptu dance performances on the show.
Patton’s passing occurred in Pasadena, as confirmed by a representative from Woods-Valentine Mortuary. He had been battling diabetes, according to reports. His legacy, however, remains firmly rooted in the fun and unpredictable nature of The Gong Show.
The Gong Show, a creation of the prolific producer Chuck Barris, known for The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game, originally aired on NBC during the daytime from 1976 to 1978 before entering syndication. The show was famous for its amateur, often hilariously bad, acts vying for the approval of a panel of celebrity judges. When an act was deemed unbearable, a judge would strike a large gong, mercifully ending the performance.
But amidst the chaotic performances and celebrity judging, a unique segment emerged that captivated audiences. At seemingly random moments, host Chuck Barris would introduce Gene Patton. The curtains would then rise to reveal Patton, the unassuming stagehand, donned in his signature painter’s cap, ready to dance. The instantly recognizable tune of “Jumpin’ at the Woodside,” the Count Basie jazz classic, would fill the studio, signaling the start of the “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine” segment.
Patton’s dance was less about intricate steps and more about pure, unadulterated joy. He shuffled and grooved, moving his body from the waist up, as Barris described it, igniting an infectious energy that spread throughout the set. Judges, cameramen, the audience – everyone would erupt into spontaneous dance alongside “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine.”
Chuck Barris himself recounted the serendipitous discovery of Patton’s talent in his 1984 memoir, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. He wrote, “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.” This observation led to the creation of the iconic “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine” segment.
Patton humorously recalled Barris’s admiration, once saying, “[Barris] said I was such a good dancer he had to name me twice.” This playful remark highlighted the lighthearted and fun spirit that defined his performances.
Born in Berkeley, California, Patton’s fame extended beyond The Gong Show stage. He appeared as Gene in The Gong Show Movie (1980) and played himself in George Clooney and Charlie Kaufman’s surreal 2002 film adaptation of Barris’s memoir, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, starring Sam Rockwell as Barris. By this time, Patton had sadly lost both legs due to complications from diabetes, yet his legacy as “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine” remained undiminished.
Before his television fame, Patton was a janitor at John Muir High School in Pasadena. In 1969, he broke barriers by becoming the first African-American member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, Local 33. The stage technicians union acknowledged his pioneering role, posting on their Facebook page, “You are a legend in our eyes.”
Gene Patton, “Gene Gene the Dancing Machine,” is survived by his children Bonnie, Carol, Sidney, and Courtney, his sister Henrietta, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. His memory will continue to bring smiles to those who remember his joyful dances on The Gong Show, a testament to the unexpected stardom of a stagehand who became a beloved television icon.
