Gregory Hines

Date of Death: August 09, 2003 (57)

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Gregory Hines BIO

Gregory Hines was a jazz tap dancer, singer, actor, musician and choreographer as well as an avid improviser of tap steps, tap sounds, and tap rhythms alike. His improvisation was like that of a drummer, doing a solo and coming up with rhythms. He also improvised the phrasing of a number of tap steps, mainly based on sound produced.

Hines made his Broadway debut with his brother in The Girl in Pink Tights in 1954. He earned Tony Award nominations for Eubie! (1979), Comin' Uptown (1980), and Sophisticated Ladies (1981), and won the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Jelly's Last Jam (1992) and the Theatre World Award for Eubie!. Hines co-hosted the Tony Awards ceremony in 1995 and 2002.

In 1981, Hines made his movie debut in Mel Brooks's History of the World, Part I. He had a large role in The Cotton Club (1984), where he and his brother Maurice (in Maurice's sole film credit) played a 1930s tap-dancing duo reminiscent of the Nicholas Brothers.

Hines co-starred with Mikhail Baryshnikov in the 1985 film White Nights, and co-starred with Billy Crystal in the 1986 buddy cop film Running Scared. He starred in the 1989 film Tap opposite Sammy Davis Jr. (in Davis's last screen performance). He appeared alongside Whitney Houston and Loretta Devine in the highly successful 1995 film Waiting to Exhale and opposite Houston, Denzel Washington and Courtney B. Vance the following year in The Preacher's Wife. On television, he starred in his own sitcom in 1997, The Gregory Hines Show, which ran for one season on CBS, and had a recurring role of Ben Doucette on Will & Grace.

Hines died of liver cancer on August 9, 2003.

Gregory Hines STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Jelly Roll Morton

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Feste

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1982
Featured Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Featured Performer

Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Production, 1980
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Scrooge

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1954
Shoe Shine Boy

Shoe Shine Boy

Gregory Hines Productions

 
[Broadway, 1992]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1980]
Choreographer
Choreographer

Gregory Hines Videos

Gregory Hines News


Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for JELLY'S LAST JAM at Encores!

In this video, watch as the cast of Encores! Jelly's Last Jam meets the press and gives a special sneak peek of 'Jelly's Jam' and 'Play the Music for Me.'

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 14, 2024

Happy Valentine's Day, BroadwayWorld! It is February 14, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Nikki Crawford, Claybourne Elder & More to Star in FALLING FOR MAKE BELIEVE Developmental Readings

Amas Musical Theatre and the Amas Musical Theatre Lab, will present developmental lab readings of Falling For Make Believe: The Life and Songs of Lorenz Hart, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

Maurice Hines Has Passed Away at 80

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that tap icon Maurice Hines has passed away at 80.

The Joyce Theater Foundation to Present Eight Edition of American Dance Platform

The Joyce Theater Foundation is continuing its mission to bring the best in dance to its New York City stage in the eighth iteration of American Dance Platform.

Tapestry Dance Company to Present THE PRECIOUS PRESENT - LISTEN in Austin

Don't miss Tapestry Dance Company's performance of 'The Precious Present -- Listen' in Austin at the Austin Ventures Studio Theatre. Get ready for an unforgettable night of dance and music. Find out more details he

Cast Set for World Premiere of SUGAR HILL: THE ELLINGTON/STRAYHORN NUTCRACKER

The complete cast has been set for the world premiere of Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Bucks County Playhouse Education Offers Education Classes for Fall 2023

Bucks County Playhouse announced the lineup of education programs being offered this fall.

�¿Chicago Human Rhythm Project Presents 33rd Annual RHYTHM WORLD

Chicago Human Rhythm Project's 33nd Annual International Festival of American Tap presents performances, education programs and CHRP's annual Gala 'Jubalee' at five venues around Chicago featuring generations of celebrated artists from around the globe directed by CHRP Artistic Director, Jumaane Taylor. Running July 14 – 23.

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden & More to be Featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival Readings

Amber Iman, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Annie Golden and more will be featured in Williamstown Theatre Festival's Fridays@3 reading series.

Jeannette Bayardelle, Phillip Attmore & More Set for LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS - THE SOPHIE TUCKER STORY Readings

Private readings by invitation only will be held in New York City for Last Of The Red Hot Mamas – The Sophie Tucker Story on Thursday, June 22.

TAP CITY, The New York City Tap Festival Returns July 3 To July 8

TAP CITY, THE NEW YORK CITY TAP FESTIVAL will return for its 23rd year Monday, July 3 through Saturday, July 8, with special events, local and international tap dance artists, choreographic residencies, and master classes.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Acquires George C. Wolfe's Archives

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts just announced that the Billy Rose Theatre Division has acquired the archive of George C. Wolfe, the writer, director, and producer.

CINDERELLA to be Presented by 5-Star Theatricals This Summer

5-STAR THEATRICALS has announced the second show of its 2023-2024 season, the nine-time Tony nominated, revised 2013 Broadway version of the impossibly magical musical, CINDERELLA.

THE BRAT PACK Featuring Kathryn Allison, Sam Gravitte, Luke Hawkins & Jelani Remy to Return to Birdland

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of “The Brat Pack” — featuring Broadway stars Kathryn Allison, Sam Gravitte, Luke Hawkins, and Jelani Remy – on Monday, June 12 at 7:00 PM.

MEL AND ELLA SWING! Starring Billy Stritch and Gabrielle Stravelli to Return to Birdland

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present renowned pianist and singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli in the return of their special show “Mel and Ella Swing!” on Monday, June 5 at 7:00 PM.

Theater for the New City Presents a Return Engagement For Smokey Stevens In I JUST WANT TO TELL SOMEBODY

To share an exceptional show with a wider audience, Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., will present a return engagement June 1-18 of Smokey Stevens in 'I Just Want to Tell Somebody.' 

Berkshire Nonprofit Awards Will Honor Julianne Boyd With Lifetime Achievement

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Paul and Managing Director Meredith Lynsey Schade, have announced that Founding Artistic Director Julianne Boyd will be honored with The Berkshire Nonprofit Awards Lifetime Achievement Award from The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle on May 23.

Interview: Megan Reinking of BROADWAY ON THE ROCKS at Hyatt Regency Orlando

A new cabaret series is now underway in Orlando featuring stars from some of Broadway’s most beloved musicals. The series, called “Broadway On the Rocks” will offer it’s next show on Saturday, March 4th at the newly renovated Rocks Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. During each one-hour show, performers will share songs and stories from their lives on-stage, accompanied by pianist John R. Mason, III. Taking the stage on April 22nd will be Megan Reinking (HAIR, DRACULA THE MUSICAL, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire). I caught up with Megan and talked about her theatrical career, her experience on Broadway, and her thoughts on living in Orlando.

Interview: Director Steve H. Broadnax III Shares His FIRST DEEP BREATH With A Raptured Geffen Audience

Playwright Lee Edward Colston II’s The First Deep Breath is receiving its west coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse through March 5, 2023. Steve H. Broadnax III directs a most uniformly stellar cast of: Opa Adeyemo, playwright Lee Edward Colston II, Brandon Mendez Homer, Ella Joyce, Herb Newsome, Deanna Reed-Foster, Candace Thomas and Keith A. Wallace. Steve managed to find some off-time between rehearsals and shows to answer a few of my queries.

Gregory Hines FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Gregory Hines has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

Gregory Hines has not appeared in the West End

Gregory Hines has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his nominations include Best Actor - Musical and Best Choreography at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Jelly's Last Jam," Outstanding Actor - Musical and Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for "Jelly's Last Jam," Best Choreography and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Jelly's Last Jam," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Sophisticated Ladies" and "Comin' Uptown," Best New Talent at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Eubie!," Performance at the Theatre World Awards for "Eubie!," and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Eubie!".

Gregory Hines has won several awards for his work in Broadway shows. He received the Best Choreography award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Jelly's Last Jam." He also won the Outstanding Actor - Musical award and the Outstanding Choreography award from the Drama Desk Awards for the same show. Hines further received the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical award at the Tony Awards for his performance in "Jelly's Last Jam." Additionally, he was honored with the Best New Talent award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Eubie!" and received a Performance award from the Theatre World Awards for the same show.

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