Gregory Hines Biography

Gregory Hines was an American dancer and actor who appeared in movies like ‘The Cotton Club’ and ‘White Nights.’ He was also a noted choreographer. Much renowned as a dancer, he is considered a major figure in the revitalization of tap dancing in the late 20th century. One of the sons of Maurice Robert Hines, a dancer, musician, and actor, Gregory was introduced to dance and music early on in life. He began tapping when he was two years old and started dancing professionally while he was still a young child. Along with his elder brother, he studied under choreographer Henry LeTang and also learned dance from other prominent teachers. He began performing in night clubs with his brother and in 1963 became a part of the family act "Hines, Hines, and Dad". He grew up to be a multi-talented young man and performed as the lead singer and musician in a rock band called Severance for a short period of time. Dark, handsome, and blessed with a variety of talents, he enjoyed a very successful Broadway career. Hines soon ventured into films after having gained a reputation for his singing and dancing skills. An advocate for tap in America, he successfully petitioned the creation of National Tap Dance Day, which is now celebrated in 40 cities in the United States.