| Fred Travalena | |
|---|---|
 Travalena in 1999 | |
| Birth name | Frederick Albert Travalena III |
| Born | (1942-10-06)October 6, 1942 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 28, 2009(2009-06-28) (aged 66) Encino, California, U.S. |
| Medium | Stand-up, television |
| Years active | 1962–2009 |
| Genres | Observational comedy |
| Subject(s) | Impersonations,pop culture |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Cory James and Frederick Albert IV |
Frederick Albert Travalena III[1] (October 6, 1942 – June 28, 2009) was an Americanentertainer, specializing incomedy andimpressions.
Bronx, New York-born andLong Island-raised,[2] Travalena moved toLos Angeles and developed a multifaceted career with his characterizations of visible public figures.
Histelevision credits began in the 1970s, as a regular performer onThe ABC Comedy Hour, where he once did a split screen impression ofJohn Lennon on one side andPaul McCartney on the other, and theDean Martinroasts. He had several voice credits on cartoons, as well as appearances on nationally broadcast children's programs.
Travelena made many guest appearances ongame shows and dramatic programs in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. In the mid-1980s he hosted the game showAnything for Money (1984–85), a game where contestants attempted to guess how much money it would take an ordinary, unsuspecting person to participate in a silly stunt.
In 1978, Travalena portrayed Top-40 DJ "Mad Man" Mancuso inThe Buddy Holly Story, starringGary Busey in the title role.
Among his guest appearances on game shows, he was onPassword Plus, hosted byTom Kennedy, withDallas star andThe Huggabug Club starAudrey Landers, as well asSuper Password andBody Language, hosted by Tom Kennedy andBert Convy, and appeared onMatch Game andMatch Game-Hollywood Squares Hour several times.
In 1982, Travalena played Bogey Orangutan (in hisHumphrey Bogart voice) fromShirt Tales. He also voiced Dreamy Smurf onThe Smurfs.
In 1989, Travelena playedElvis Presley and Mr. Gibbel of the Chippie Chipmunks group in a comedy sketch as part ofThe Super Mario Bros. Super Show!. For theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade later that year, he portrayed theJoker.[3] He guest starred in the series premiere of the short-lived 1991 sitcomGood Sports withRyan O'Neal andFarrah Fawcett. After an actor impersonatedMichael Jackson during the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards to accept the Best Alternative Music Video award on behalf ofNirvana, presenterDana Carvey bemusedly joked, "Fred Travalena does an amazing Michael Jackson!"[4]
In 1993, Travalena hosted the game showBaby Races, which aired on theFamily Channel for 26 episodes from September 12, 1993 to March 6, 1994.
Between 1998 and 2000, he voicedJulius Caesar (with a voice that was an impression ofFrank Sinatra),William Clark,Marc Antony (both with an impression ofDean Martin), PresidentGerald Ford and many others on theKids' WB's animated seriesHisteria!.[5]
He appeared at casino theaters inLas Vegas,Reno, andAtlantic City, as well as performing arts theaters, cruise ships, and private "in-concert" performances. He took part in aU.S.O. tour to entertain troops overseas, and was honored in 2004 by Club Italia with a Merit Achievement Award for his contributions to society.[citation needed] Also in 2004, he appeared onBananas Comedy.
On February 3, 2005, he received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame at 7018 Hollywood Blvd.[6]
Travalena was diagnosed withnon-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2002 andprostate cancer in 2003. Following five years' remission, the lymphoma returned in 2008. Travalena died on June 28, 2009, at his home inEncino, California.[7]
During his life, he and his wife credited his battle with cancer as a challenge of their Christian faith and a way to help others overcome the same conditions.[8]
