Gregory Hines: The Tap Dance Legend Who Changed the Rhythm of Hollywood.
When Gregory Hines danced, it was more than movement—it was emotion, storytelling, and pure magic. He once said, “I try to really express myself when I’m dancing… I try just to lose all consciousness and just express myself.”
Behind the infectious rhythms of his tap shoes and the dazzling lights of Broadway and Hollywood was a man whose journey was as much about grit and heartache as it was about glamour and applause.
Twenty-one years after his passing, Gregory Hines remains a powerful symbol of artistic excellence, activism, and resilience. Let’s step into the untold story of this tap dancing icon and discover the legacy he left behind.
Early Life: Born to Dance
Gregory Hines was born on Valentine’s Day in 1946, in New York City. His parents, Alma and Maurice Hines, raised their family in Sugar Hill, Harlem—a neighborhood steeped in Black culture and creativity.
Maurice, Gregory’s father, was a triple threat: dancer, musician, and actor. Gregory didn’t waste any time getting into the groove; he started tapping at just two years old and by five, was already dancing professionally alongside his older brother Maurice.
The brothers learned from Henry LeTang, a revered tap instructor, and rubbed shoulders with legends like Howard Sims and the Nicholas Brothers.
As “The Hines Kids,” Gregory and Maurice shared stages with stars like Cab Calloway.
When their father joined as a drummer, the act became “Hines, Hines & Dad”—a true family affair that set the stage for Gregory’s lifelong journey in entertainment.
The Tap Revolution: Redefining the Art
Gregory Hines was a musical magician with tap shoes instead of a wand. His feet could drum out rhythms that seemed to have a life of their own.
He didn’t just stick to traditional tap; he twisted, turned, and reinvented steps to fit the music, painting with sound and tossing taps like confetti.
Hines’s style was loose and cool, often performing in relaxed pants and a snug shirt, grooving to the beat of his own taps.
But Hines wasn’t content to keep tap dancing in the past. He championed the art form, helping secure a national day dedicated to tap dance and starring in the PBS special “Gregory Hines’s Tap Dance in America.”
He wanted everyone to love tap as much as he did, and his efforts sparked a revival that inspired dancers across the country.
Mentorship and Legacy
Hines idolized Sammy Davis Jr., another tap legend. When Davis fell ill, Hines was there for him, and after Davis’s death, Hines spoke of how Sammy “passed him an invisible basketball”—a metaphor for keeping the rhythm alive.
Hines became a mentor to future stars like Savion Glover and Diane Walker, passing on his tap magic and ensuring the art form would continue to thrive.
For Hines, tap wasn’t just a dance—it was life itself. He once said it was in his singing, acting, and even his love-making. Gregory danced like his life depended on it, and maybe it did.
Broadway Stardom
Gregory and Maurice made their Broadway debut in “The Girl in Pink Tights” in 1954. Gregory’s star rose with roles in “The Last Minstrel Show,” “Eubie!,” “Sophisticated Ladies,” and “Jelly’s Last Jam.”
He earned Tony Award nominations for “Eubie!” (1979), “Comin’ Uptown” (1980), and “Sophisticated Ladies” (1981), finally winning the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for “Jelly’s Last Jam” in 1992. His reputation as a tap master grew with every performance.
Musical Ventures
Hines wasn’t just a dancer—he was a musician and singer too. In the mid-1970s, he led a rock band called Severance in Los Angeles, releasing a self-titled album in 1976.
He sang a duet with Luther Vandross called “There’s Nothing Better Than Love,” which reached number one on the Billboard R&B charts.
Encouraged by this success, Hines released a solo album in 1988, with singles that climbed the charts and showcased his versatility.
Hollywood Breakthroughs
Gregory Hines didn’t stop at Broadway. His big Hollywood break came when he replaced Richard Pryor in Mel Brooks’s “History of the World, Part I” (1981).
He soon appeared in the thriller “Wolfen” and shined in “The Cotton Club,” dancing alongside his brother Maurice in a magical 1930s tap duo.
In “White Nights” (1985), Hines starred with ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov, and audiences loved him in “Running Scared” (1986) with Billy Crystal.
Hines cherished his romantic role, noting that Black actors rarely got such opportunities in mainstream films. He continued to break barriers with roles in “Waiting to Exhale” (1995) and “The Preacher’s Wife” (1996), both alongside Whitney Houston.
Hines also made his mark on television, starring in “The Gregory Hines Show” (1997) and guest-starring on “Will & Grace.” He lent his voice to “Little Bill,” winning awards for his contribution to children’s television.
Personal Life: Love, Loss, and Family
Gregory Hines was as charismatic off-stage as he was on it. He married twice—first to Patricia Panella, with whom he had a daughter, Daria, and then to Pamela Koslow, with whom he had a son, Zachary.
Both marriages ended in divorce, reflecting the real-life drama that sometimes paralleled his on-screen roles.
In the last years of his life, Hines found love again with bodybuilder Negrita Jayde, based in Toronto.
Despite the distance, their relationship blossomed, adding another layer to Hines’s rich personal tapestry.
Activism and Philanthropy
Hines wasn’t just an entertainer—he was an activist and philanthropist. He believed in standing up for what was right and worked to make the arts accessible to all.
Hines supported causes that improved education and healthcare, using his platform and resources to help others.
He was a real-life superhero, not just in his performances but in his commitment to making the world a better place.
Final Curtain: Illness and Passing
Tragedy struck when Hines was diagnosed with liver cancer. He battled the illness privately for a year, keeping his struggle mostly secret.
In August 2003, Gregory Hines passed away on his way to the hospital in Los Angeles. His TV show “Little Bill” was wrapping up at the time, marking the end of a remarkable chapter.
Friends, family, and fans honored Hines at a funeral in Santa Monica, California, before he was laid to rest in Oakville, Ontario.
He left behind his fiancée, children, stepdaughter, and a grandson, all carrying on his memory.
A Lasting Legacy
Gregory Hines left an indelible mark on the entertainment world. His moves weren’t just about dancing—they were pure magic, captivating audiences everywhere.
Young performers still look up to him, dreaming of following in his footsteps.
Hines’s spirit lives on in Broadway, Hollywood, and beyond. He showed that one person can make a world of difference, whether by speaking up for what’s right or lending a helping hand.
His activism and philanthropy remind us that the real magic is in giving back.
In 2019, the United States Postal Service honored Hines with a postage stamp as part of their Black Heritage series—a tribute to his enduring influence.
Gregory Hines became a piece of history, forever remembered as a tap dance legend, a mentor, and a game changer.
Conclusion
Gregory Hines’s journey was a roller coaster of triumphs and challenges, but through it all, he danced with heart and soul.
His legacy inspires us to pursue our passions, stand up for what we believe in, and never stop dreaming.
The rhythms he created still echo today, reminding us that true greatness is measured not just by talent, but by the lives we touch along the way.
