Gene Patton Biography

Fast Facts

• Was discovered by "The Gong Show" host Chuck Barris during a rehearsal for the show, where he was "dancing by himself in a dark corner․"
• Worked as a janitor at John Muir High School in Pasadena, Calif․, before becoming a stagehand at NBC Studios
• Quote: "[on the name Gene Gene the Dancing Machine] "[Chuck Barris, host of 'The Gong Show'] said I was such a good dancer he had to name me twice․""
• Better known as Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, he was a stagehand who became the regular closing act for "The Gong Show" with his enthusiastic dance routine
• Became the first African-American member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees in 1969
• Reprised his role as Gene Gene the Dancing Machine in "The Gong Show Movie" in 1980 and also appeared in the 2002 adaptation of Chuck Barris's memoir "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind․"