Comedian Travalena dies

'The Man of a Thousand Faces' has passed away after losing his battle with cancer...

09:11 30 June 2009

Comedian and impressionist Fred Travalena has died of cancer aged 66.

Travalena, who was known as 'The Man of a Thousand Faces', passed away at his home in Encino, California, surrounded by family, according to his publicist.

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2002 and prostate cancer in 2003. Following five years' remission, the lymphoma returned in 2008.

His spokesman Roger Neal said: "Since that time, he has been in and out of treatment, consisting of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation".

Travalena's 40-year career, will be most remembered for his impressions of celebrities, imitating the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bob Hope.

However he was also a singer having hits with 'Have I Told You Lately' which he used to sing using various voices including Kermit the Frog and Katharine Hepburn.