Fred Travalena

Frederick Albert "Fred" Travalena III (October 6, 1942 – June 28, 2009) was an American entertainer, specializing in comedy and impersonations.

Bronx, New York-born and Long Island-raised, Travalena moved to Los Angeles and developing a multi-faceted career with his characterizations of visible public figures.

His television credits began in the 1970s, as a regular performer on The ABC Comedy Hour, where he once did a split screen impression of John Lennon on one side and Paul McCartney on the other, and the Dean Martin Roasts. He had several voice credits on cartoons, as well as appearances on nationally-broadcast children's programs. Mr. Travelena made many guest appearances on game shows and dramatic programs in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. In the mid-1980s he hosted the game show Anything For Money, a game where contestants attempted to guess how much money it would take an ordinary, unsuspecting person to participate in a silly stunt. In 1989, he appeared as Elvis Presley on a comedy sketch as part of the Super Mario Bros. Super Show. He appeared in the series premiere of the short-lived 1991 sitcom Good Sports with Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett. He also impersonated Michael Jackson during the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards to accept the Best Alternative Music Video award on behalf of Nirvana.

He appeared at casino theaters in Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City, as well as performing arts theaters, cruise ships, and private "in-concert" performances. He took part in a USO tour to entertain troops overseas, and was honored in 2004 by Club Italia with a Merit Achievement Award for his contributions to society. Also in 2004, he appeared on Bananas Comedy. He played radio DJ, "Madman Mancuso" in "The Buddy Holly Story."

In 2005 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Death
Travalena was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2002 and prostate cancer in 2003. Following five years' remission, the lymphoma returned in 2008. Travelena died on June 28, 2009 at his home in Encino, California.

During his life, he and his wife did credit his battle with cancer, as a challenge to their faith in God and a way to help others overcome the same conditions.