Gregory Hines

He became ill with liver cancer in his mid-fifties and died on August 9, 2003, aged 57. At the time of his death he was engaged to Negrita Jayde.

Gregory Oliver Hines was born on February 14, 1946, in New York City, New York, to Alma Iola and Maurice Robert Hines. His father was a dancer, musician, and actor. Gregory, along with his brother, was exposed to the show business at a young age.

He was just two when he began tapping. Within a few years he started dancing professionally with his brother Maurice. The brothers, both naturally talented, received training from choreographer Henry LeTang. They also learned from veteran tap dancers Howard Sims and The Nicholas Brothers whenever they performed in the same venues.

The brothers began performing in night clubs as “The Hines Kids”, and later as "The Hines Brothers". In 1963, their father joined as a drummer and the name of the group was changed to "Hines, Hines, and Dad".

The trio was a very popular one. They toured and performed throughout the United States and Europe and were also invited to appear on television a number of times. But with time Gregory and his brother started having issues with each other which led Gregory to leave the act in 1973.

Gregory Hines moved to California and formed a jazz-rock band Severance, serving as songwriter, singer, and guitarist. The band became one of the house bands at an original music club called Honky Hoagies Handy Hangout. They even released an album in 1976. However, the band broke up by the late 1970s.

He returned to New York to resume his dancing career. He ventured into a Broadway career where he found considerable success with his stylish looks and graceful dance moves.

He appeared in the musical ‘Eubie’ in 1978 for which he received his first Tony nomination. He followed it up with critically acclaimed performances in ‘Comin' Uptown’ (1980) and ‘Sophisticated Ladies' (1981).

His resounding success on the Broadway motivated the ambitious young man to try his luck in films. He played his first film role, as a Roman slave in Mel Brooks' ‘History of the World-Part 1’ in 1981. His performance was well-liked by fans and he started getting numerous other film offers.

Gregory Hines portrayed Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe, known as Jelly Roll Morton, in the musical ‘Jelly's Last Jam’ (1992) which was based on the life and career of Morton. The musical was a resounding success that won Hines several awards and accolades.

His portrayal of entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in the 2001 biographical drama ‘Bojangles’ is another one of his outstanding works. He received much appreciation for the incredible tap dance routines in the film.