LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Comedian Pat Henry, the regular opening act for Frank Sinatra for more than two decades, was found dead Thursday in his Caesars Palace Hotel suite.
Henry, 58, who closed an engagement with Sinatra at Caesars Wednesday night, died of a heart attack in his sleep, Clark County Coroner's deputies said.
Las Vegas police and paramedics were called to the resort at 9:20 a.m. An autopsy disclosed Henry died of a heart attack.
Born Patrick Henry Scarnato, Henry first appeared with Sinatra in 1958 at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, N.J., and regularly appeared with the singer, doing a 30-minute opening monologue with one-line jokes and anecdotes, often about Sinatra.
Henry also maintained a schedule of performances when he did not appear with Sinatra and occasionally performed with other entertainers.
The comedian suffered a stroke about four years ago in Reno and was flown on an ambulance plane by Sinatra to Palm Springs, Calif., where he was treated by cardiologist Dr. George Kaplan at Palm Springs Desert Hospital.
'He made a remarkable recovery,' said Lee Solters, Sinatra's publicist. 'The stroke affected his speech, but it was quickly corrected through speech therapy. Dr. Kaplan cautioned him about his lifestyle.'
'Mr. Sinatra is too shocked and overcome by the sudden death of Pat Henry to talk about it.' Solters said. 'His long and very close association with Pat as a friend and performer for over 35 years should describe Mr. Sinatra's feelings at the present time.'
Solters described Henry as 'everybody's friend. He loved the work and he loved the people.'
Henry is survived by his wife, Susan, daughter Tina Wrigley, both of Bellmore, N.Y., and stepson by Mrs. Henry's former marriage, Dr. Gary Robinson, 32, of San Diego and a grandson, Christopher.
Solters' office said Henry's body would be on view at the Cunningham & O'Connor Funeral Home in Los Angeles Friday night through Sunday morning.
Services will be announced later.
