R.I.P. Gregory Hines

karlaBOO · Post by **karlaBOO** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:23 pm

Don't laugh. I'm huge musical and dance theatre fan.

LOS ANGELES - Gregory Hines, the greatest tap dancer of his generation who also transcended the stage with successful film and television roles, has died at 57.

Hines died Saturday in Los Angeles of cancer, publicist Allen Eichorn said Sunday.

Hines won a 1992 Tony for the musical "Jelly's Last Jam." He first became internationally known as part of a jazz tap duo with his brother, Maurice. The two danced together in the musical revue "Eubie!" in 1978.

The brothers later performed together in Broadway's "Sophisticated Ladies" and on film in 1984's "The Cotton Club."

In "The Cotton Club," Hines also had a lead acting role, which led to more work in film. He starred with Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1985's "White Nights" and with Billy Crystal in 1986's "Running Scared," and he appeared with Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett in 1995's "Waiting to Exhale," among other movies.

Hines landed his first film role in the 1981 Mel Brooks comedy "History of the World Part I," in which he played a Roman slave as a last-minute replacement for Richard Pryor.

Hines' has been nominated for a number of Emmy Awards, most recently in 2001 for his lead role in the mini-series "Bojangles." His PBS special "Gregory Hines: Tap Dance in America" was nominated in 1989, and in 1982 he was nominated for his performance in "I Love Liberty," a variety special saluting America.

He also won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1999 for his work as the voice of "Big Bill" in the Bill Cosby animated TV series "Little Bill" and NAACP Image Awards for "Bojangles" and "Running Scared."

Sir Diddimus · Post by **Sir Diddimus** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:27 pm

I won't laugh......

That just sucks...... :cry:

Mother Mo · Post by **Mother Mo** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:28 pm

Oh, that's so sad! I could see it coming for Bob Hope & Kate Hepburn, but he was still quite young. I loved "White Nights." He was a fantastic dancer!

:cry:

JaNell · Post by **JaNell** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 1:53 pm

ReddErin · Post by **ReddErin** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 2:07 pm

I thought he died about 15 years ago...

Seraph Antaine · Post by **Seraph Antaine** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 2:42 pm

That's too bad. RIP, Mr. Hines. God keep you.

Saint Ignatious · Post by **Saint Ignatious** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:10 pm

lequam · Post by **lequam** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:25 pm

I to am afan of Gregory Hines , It is a sad day for dance , especially tap, and for thespians everywhere .
RIP MR. Hines , God Speed.

torch_32 · Post by **torch_32** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:48 pm

Rats. Didn't know he was sick. *sigh*

Pharinet · Post by **Pharinet** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:57 pm

Damnitt!! He was so young. I didn't even know he was sick.

:sad:

shadow dancer · Post by **shadow dancer** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 8:08 pm

I really hate to hear that. It was always enjoyable to watch him dance. I will never forget the special that was aired on PBS that showed him with Savion Glover, who was all of 9 years old at the time, and of course White Nights with Baryshnikov.

Bastet · Post by **Bastet** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 8:23 pm

ok that sux!!! i loved the movie tap he did. he was great. and dammit i think we've met our star death quota already!!!

junkie christ · Post by **junkie christ** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:01 pm

Mercurygriffin · Post by **Mercurygriffin** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 2:24 am

That realy blows. He has always been a beacon of perverse light for me. Ever sense I was 6 when I first saw "History of the world part I" he has made me laugh. I guess this means part 2 will never come out.