Tap Dance Legend, Bunny Briggs, Dies at Age 92

Dr. Bunny Briggs, American tap dancer who was inducted into the American Tap Dancing Hall of Fame in 2006, has died at the age of 92.

Briggs was born in Harlem, New York on February 26, 1922. At one point he thought about becoming a Catholic priest but instead began performing as a tap dancer and singer. He performed with Duke Ellington's Orchestra. In May 1985 Briggs performed on the NBC TV Special, "Motown Returns to the Apollo."

He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1989 for his work in the Broadway show Black and Blue. He appeared on stage and in movies including the Gregory Hines filmTap in 1989.

In 2002, Briggs received an honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts in American Dance by the Oklahoma City University (2002); honoring him as one of the 9 Doctorates of Tap Dance. All 9 Doctorates include Dr. Cholly Atkins, Dr. Buster Brown, Dr. Jeni Legon, Dr. Henry LeTang, Dr. Fayard Nicholas, Dr. Leonard Reed, Dr. Jimmy Slyde, and Dr. Prince Spencer.

Bunny Briggs died in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, November 15, 2014. His wife, Olivette Miller Briggs, preceded him, passing away April 27, 2003.