There are few people that can walk into a room and light it up;  yet Fred Travalena was one of those individuals who -- with his flair for imitation -- could fondly mimic the idiosyncrasies of such illustrious presidents as John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and even President Barack Obama.  Celebrities weren’t immune to his fondness for impressions either and his repertoire seemed endless.  For instance, there were such greats as Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Jim Nabors.  All in all, some say that he could mimic more than 150 famous people.  So you can understand that when I first met him, I wasn’t absolutely sure I knew who he was as he seamlessly transformed himself from character to character -- and one of them I could only assume had to be the one and only “Fred Travalena.”  Yet, despite his celebrity status, he always made you feel at ease, and most importantly an equal.

Mr. Travalena was born on October 6, 1942 in the Bronx, New York and grew up on Long Island.  Although he never appeared to receive credit for some of the impressions he had done in the early part of his career, he was responsible for many of the voices on The Jetsons in 1962.  Honing his skills each and every day amongst family, friends, and any who would listen, in 1971 he packed his bags and headed out west to launch what was often referred to as an enormously successful career in Las Vegas.  Eventually he began appearing on various late night television shows including “The Tonight Show” starring Johnnie Carson, “Late Night with David Letterman” and then moving to daytime television where he made appearances on “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee,” “Larry King Live,” and many more.  He also began dabbling in making guest appearances, making his first on The Love Boat in an episode entitled “Double Wedding/The Ventriloquists/Julie Falls Hard” which originally was broadcast on December 16, 1978.  Eventually he would also appear on Murphy Brown, and then going on to lend his voice to such animated shows as Dinosaurs.  Appearing as himself -- or so they allege -- he appeared on Newhart in an episode entitled “A Midseasons Night’s Dream” which aired on March 14, 1988, and in a premier episode of “Good Sports” along side Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O’Neal.   Thus it is eerie to think that he would pass within weeks of his co-star Farrah Fawcett and having both battled a similar affliction.

Notwithstanding, what one must never overlook and should be at the forefront of anything written about this incredible man was who he was as a person.  Although excepts have eluded to the fact that was survived by his wife of 39 years, and sons Fred IV, and Cory;  daughter-in-law, Kelly;  and a granddaughter named Sophia, Mr. Travalena was an incredibly giving and caring man as evidenced by his marriage of 39 years.  An entertainer’s life can be a stressful one, especially when it calls for traveling all over the world.  Yet he still managed to balance his career with his personal life insuring that his family always came first.  He was also incredibly wonderful toward his fans, and in the years I was blessed to know him, he gave so much to so many.  He truly did live by the motto “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

Of the many celebrities that have touched my life over the years in connection with my pursuits, Mr. Travalena will forever be at the top of the list of those I remember most fondly;  he was a great man, entertainer, father, and grandfather.  Now all I can ever hope is that he always felt appreciated for what he did, just as he will now be appreciated above.  My love and heart also goes out to his family, along with my prayers.