Gregory Hines
Encyclopedia
Gregory Oliver Hines was an American actor
, singer, dancer and choreographer.
, Hines and his older brother Maurice
started dancing at an early age, studying with choreographer Henry LeTang
. Together they were known as "The Hines Kids" and later as "The Hines Brothers." When their father joined, Maurice Hines, Sr., the name changed again in 1963 to "Hines, Hines, and Dad".
, entitled "There's Nothing Better Than Love", which reached the #1 position on the Billboard R&B charts.
Hines made his movie debut in Mel Brooks
' History of the World, Part 1. Critics took note of Hines's comedic charm, and he later appeared in such movies as The Cotton Club
, White Nights, Running Scared, Tap
, and Waiting to Exhale
. On television, he starred in his own series in 1997 called The Gregory Hines Show
on CBS
, as well as in the recurring role of Ben Doucette on Will & Grace
. In 1999, Hines made his return on television with Nick Jr.'s Little Bill
, as the voice of Big Bill.
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!. He also co-hosted the Tony Awards ceremony in 1995 and 2002.
In 1990, Hines visited with his idol, Sammy Davis, Jr.
, as the great entertainer lay dying of throat cancer
, unable to speak. After Davis died, a choked-up Hines spoke at Davis's funeral of how Sammy had made a gesture to him, "as if passing a basketball … and I caught it." Hines spoke of the honor that Sammy thought that Hines could carry on from where he left off.
at 57, on August 9, 2003, en route to hospital from his home in Los Angeles
. He had been diagnosed with the disease more than a year earlier but had informed only his closest friends. In addition to his father and brother, he is survived by his daughter, Daria; a son, Zach; stepdaughter, Jessica Koslow; and a grandson.
At the time of his death, he was engaged to Negrita Jayde
. Hines is interred at Saint Volodymyr's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Oakville, Ontario
. Following his death, the television series Lost at Home
, in which he was featured, was cancelled.
Nominations
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, singer, dancer and choreographer.
Early years
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Hines and his older brother Maurice
Maurice Hines
Maurice Hines is an American actor, director, jazz singer and choreographer.Born in New York City, Hines began his career at the age of five, studying tap dance at the Henry LeTang Dance Studio in Manhattan. LeTang recognized his talent and began choreographing numbers specifically for him and his...
started dancing at an early age, studying with choreographer Henry LeTang
Henry LeTang
Henry LeTang was an American theatre,film, and television choreographer and a dance instructor.-Biography:Born in the Harlem neighbourhood of Manhattan, LeTang was the second son of Clarence, born in Dominica, and his wife Marie, who emigrated from St. Croix. The couple owned and operated a radio...
. Together they were known as "The Hines Kids" and later as "The Hines Brothers." When their father joined, Maurice Hines, Sr., the name changed again in 1963 to "Hines, Hines, and Dad".
Career
Hines performed as the lead singer and musician in a rock band called Severance in 1975/1976 based in Venice, California. Severance was one of the house bands at an original music club called Honky Hoagies Handy Hangout, otherwise known as the 4H Club. In 1986, he sang a duet with Luther VandrossLuther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
, entitled "There's Nothing Better Than Love", which reached the #1 position on the Billboard R&B charts.
Hines made his movie debut in Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks is an American film director, screenwriter, composer, lyricist, comedian, actor and producer. He is best known as a creator of broad film farces and comic parodies. He began his career as a stand-up comic and as a writer for the early TV variety show Your Show of Shows...
' History of the World, Part 1. Critics took note of Hines's comedic charm, and he later appeared in such movies as The Cotton Club
The Cotton Club (film)
The Cotton Club is a 1984 crime-drama, centered on a famed Harlem jazz club of the 1930s, the Cotton Club.The movie was co-written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, choreographed by Henry LeTang, and starred Richard Gere, Diane Lane, and Gregory Hines...
, White Nights, Running Scared, Tap
Tap (film)
Tap is a 1989 film drama written and directed by Nick Castle. It stars Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr.-Plot:Max Washington, just released from prison after serving time for burglary, is a talented tap dancer...
, and Waiting to Exhale
Waiting to Exhale
Waiting to Exhale is a 1995 romance film starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett, directed by Forest Whitaker. The movie was adapted from the 1992 novel of the same name by Terry McMillan. Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, Dennis Haysbert, Michael Beach, Gregory Hines, Donald Faison and Mykelti...
. On television, he starred in his own series in 1997 called The Gregory Hines Show
The Gregory Hines Show
The Gregory Hines Show is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS. The series premiered on Monday, September 15, 1997 before airing on September 19, 1997 as a part of the network's Block Party Friday night lineup...
on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, as well as in the recurring role of Ben Doucette on Will & Grace
Will & Grace
Will & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
. In 1999, Hines made his return on television with Nick Jr.'s Little Bill
Little Bill
Little Bill is a television show for children on Nick Jr. The stories are based on Bill Cosby's Little Bill book series, set in Philadelphia and feature Bill Jr. learning a lesson or moral. It was developed through research and in consultation with a panel of educational consultants.The show also...
, as the voice of Big Bill.
Hines made his Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut with his brother in The Girl in Pink Tights
The Girl in Pink Tights
The Girl in Pink Tights is a musical comedy with music by Sigmund Romberg; lyrics by Leo Robin; and a musical book by Jerome Chodorov and Joseph Fields. The musical opened on Broadway on March 5, 1954 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre where it ran for a total of 115 performances until it closed on June...
in 1954. He earned Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations for Eubie!
Eubie!
Eubie! is a revue featuring the music of Eubie Blake, with lyrics by Noble Sissle, Andy Razaf, Johnny Brandon, F.E. Miller, and Jim Europe.-Production:...
(1979), Comin' Uptown (1980) and Sophisticated Ladies
Sophisticated Ladies
Sophisticated Ladies is a musical revue based on the music of Duke Ellington.After fifteen previews, the Broadway production, conceived by Donald McKayle, directed by Michael Smuin, and choreographed by McKayle, Smuin, Henry LeTang, Bruce Heath, and Mercedes Ellington, opened on March 1, 1981 at...
(1981), and won the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for Jelly's Last Jam
Jelly's Last Jam
Jelly's Last Jam is a musical with a book by George C. Wolfe, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and music by Jelly Roll Morton and Luther Henderson...
(1992) and the Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
for Eubie!. He also co-hosted the Tony Awards ceremony in 1995 and 2002.
In 1990, Hines visited with his idol, Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
, as the great entertainer lay dying of throat cancer
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
, unable to speak. After Davis died, a choked-up Hines spoke at Davis's funeral of how Sammy had made a gesture to him, "as if passing a basketball … and I caught it." Hines spoke of the honor that Sammy thought that Hines could carry on from where he left off.
Death
Hines died of liver cancerHepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States...
at 57, on August 9, 2003, en route to hospital from his home in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He had been diagnosed with the disease more than a year earlier but had informed only his closest friends. In addition to his father and brother, he is survived by his daughter, Daria; a son, Zach; stepdaughter, Jessica Koslow; and a grandson.
At the time of his death, he was engaged to Negrita Jayde
Negrita Jayde
Negrita Jayde was a Canadian female bodybuilding champion, personal trainer, author, actor and businesswoman. She was the longtime partner and fiancée of Gregory Hines at the time of his death in August 2003...
. Hines is interred at Saint Volodymyr's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Oakville, Ontario
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
. Following his death, the television series Lost at Home
Lost at Home
Lost at Home is the name of a short-lived sitcom aired on ABC from April 1 to April 22, 2003. The show starred Mitch Rouse, Connie Britton, Gregory Hines, Stark Sands, Leah Pipes, Gavin Fink and Aaron Hill. This show was cancelled after only four episodes, due to the death of Gregory Hines from...
, in which he was featured, was cancelled.
Awards and nominations
Awards- 1979 Theatre World AwardTheatre World AwardThe Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
- Eubie!Eubie!Eubie! is a revue featuring the music of Eubie Blake, with lyrics by Noble Sissle, Andy Razaf, Johnny Brandon, F.E. Miller, and Jim Europe.-Production:... - 1992 Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for Best Actor in a Musical - Jelly's Last JamJelly's Last JamJelly's Last Jam is a musical with a book by George C. Wolfe, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and music by Jelly Roll Morton and Luther Henderson... - 1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical - Jelly's Last Jam
- 1988 Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture - Running Scared
- 1998 Flo-Bert Award - Lifetime Achievement in Tap Dance by the New York Committee To Celebrate National Tap Dance Day
- 2002 Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special - BojanglesBojangles (film)Bojangles is an American biographical drama that chronicles the life of entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson . This film boasts some incredible tap dance routines and a complicated, if not unique, interpretation of the main character by Gregory Hines, who also served as an executive...
- 2002 Daytime Emmy AwardDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program - Little BillLittle BillLittle Bill is a television show for children on Nick Jr. The stories are based on Bill Cosby's Little Bill book series, set in Philadelphia and feature Bill Jr. learning a lesson or moral. It was developed through research and in consultation with a panel of educational consultants.The show also...
Nominations
- 1979 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Eubie!
- 1980 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical - Comin' Uptown
- 1981 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical - Sophisticated Ladies
- 1982 Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Class - I Love Liberty
- 1985 Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Motown Returns to the Apollo
- 1989 Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Tap Dance in America
- 1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Choreography - Jelly's Last Jam
- 1992 Tony Award for Best Choreography - Jelly's Last Jam
- 1995 Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture - Waiting to Exhale
- 1998 American Comedy Awards Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series - Will & GraceWill & GraceWill & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
- 1998 Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - The Gregory Hines ShowThe Gregory Hines ShowThe Gregory Hines Show is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS. The series premiered on Monday, September 15, 1997 before airing on September 19, 1997 as a part of the network's Block Party Friday night lineup...
- 2001 Black Reel Awards Network/Cable Best Actor - Bojangles
- 2001 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie - Bojangles
- 2001 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries - Bojangles
- 2002 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special - The Red Sneakers
- 2002 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program - The Red Sneakers
Filmography
- History of the World, Part IHistory of the World, Part IHistory of the World, Part I is a 1981 comedy film written, produced, and directed by Mel Brooks. Brooks also stars in the film, playing five roles: Moses, Comicus the stand-up philosopher, Tomás de Torquemada, King Louis XVI, and Jacques, le garçon de pisse...
(1981) - WolfenWolfen (film)Wolfen is the title of a 1981 horror film starring Albert Finney, Diane Venora, Gregory Hines and Edward James Olmos based on Whitley Strieber's 1978 novel The Wolfen...
(1981) - Deal of the CenturyDeal of the CenturyDeal of the Century is a 1983 American comedy film directed by William Friedkin and starring Chevy Chase, Gregory Hines, and Sigourney Weaver.The film follows the adventures of several arms dealers that compete to sell weapons to a South American dictator....
(1983) - The Muppets Take ManhattanThe Muppets Take ManhattanThe Muppets Take Manhattan is the third of a series of live-action musical feature films starring Jim Henson's Muppets, and also the final film before Henson's death. This film was produced by Henson Associates and TriStar Pictures, and was filmed on location in New York City during the summer of...
(1984) - The Cotton ClubThe Cotton Club (film)The Cotton Club is a 1984 crime-drama, centered on a famed Harlem jazz club of the 1930s, the Cotton Club.The movie was co-written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, choreographed by Henry LeTang, and starred Richard Gere, Diane Lane, and Gregory Hines...
(1984) - White Nights (1985)
- Faerie Tale TheatreFaerie Tale TheatreFaerie Tale Theatre is a live-action children's television anthology series retelling popular fairy tales. Shelley Duvall serves as narrator, host and executive producer of the program, and occasionally stars in episodes...
: "Puss in Boots" (1985) - Running Scared (1986)
- Off Limits (1988)
- TapTap (film)Tap is a 1989 film drama written and directed by Nick Castle. It stars Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis, Jr.-Plot:Max Washington, just released from prison after serving time for burglary, is a talented tap dancer...
(1989) - Eve of DestructionEve of Destruction (film)Eve of Destruction is a 1991 science fiction film about a cyborg named Eve, designed in secret by the United States military for undercover operations. The film stars Gregory Hines as Colonel Jim McQuade and Dutch actress Renée Soutendijk with the dual roles as the cyborg's creator Dr...
(1991) - White Lie (1991)
- A Rage in Harlem (1991)
- Kangaroo Court (1994)
- Renaissance Man (1994)
- Dead Air (1994)
- Waiting to ExhaleWaiting to ExhaleWaiting to Exhale is a 1995 romance film starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett, directed by Forest Whitaker. The movie was adapted from the 1992 novel of the same name by Terry McMillan. Loretta Devine, Lela Rochon, Dennis Haysbert, Michael Beach, Gregory Hines, Donald Faison and Mykelti...
(1995) - The Cherokee KidThe Cherokee KidThe Cherokee Kid is the name of a 1996 HBO television movie starring Sinbad, James Coburn, Burt Reynolds, Gregory Hines, A Martinez, Ernie Hudson, Dawnn Lewis, and Vanessa Bell Calloway....
(1996) - Good Luck (1996)
- Mad Dog TimeMad Dog TimeMad Dog Time is a 1996 ensemble cast crime film written and directed by Larry Bishop, released through United Artists...
(1996) - The Preacher's WifeThe Preacher's WifeThe Preacher's Wife is a 1996 romantic-family-dramedy-christmas film directed by Penny Marshall, and starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Loretta Devine. It is a remake of the 1947 film The Bishop's Wife....
(1996) - Subway Stories: Tales From the Underground (1997)
- The Tic CodeThe Tic CodeThe Tic Code is an independent American drama film directed by Gary Winick and written by Polly Draper. It tells of the interactions between a single mother, the relationship she forms with a jazz musician who has Tourette syndrome, and her young son—a jazz piano prodigy—also with the disorder...
(1999) - Little BillLittle BillLittle Bill is a television show for children on Nick Jr. The stories are based on Bill Cosby's Little Bill book series, set in Philadelphia and feature Bill Jr. learning a lesson or moral. It was developed through research and in consultation with a panel of educational consultants.The show also...
(TV) (1999–2003, until his death) - Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at HerThings You Can Tell Just by Looking at HerThings You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her is a film written and directed by Rodrigo García starring an ensemble cast. Garcías debut film was shown at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and won the Un Certain Regard Award...
(2000) - Once in the LifeOnce in the LifeOnce in the Life is a 2000 movie written by, directed by, and starring Laurence Fishburne. Fishburne adapted the script from his own play, Riff-Raff.-Plot synopsis:...
(2000) - Will & GraceWill & GraceWill & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
(TV) (2000) - BojanglesBojangles (film)Bojangles is an American biographical drama that chronicles the life of entertainer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson . This film boasts some incredible tap dance routines and a complicated, if not unique, interpretation of the main character by Gregory Hines, who also served as an executive...
(2001) - Venice: Lost and Found (2002)
- The Red Sneakers (TV) (2002)
- The Root (2003)
- Law & OrderLaw & OrderLaw & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
: (TV) "Suicide Box" (2003) - Lost at HomeLost at HomeLost at Home is the name of a short-lived sitcom aired on ABC from April 1 to April 22, 2003. The show starred Mitch Rouse, Connie Britton, Gregory Hines, Stark Sands, Leah Pipes, Gavin Fink and Aaron Hill. This show was cancelled after only four episodes, due to the death of Gregory Hines from...
: (TV) (2003) - Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photography of Milt Hinton (2004)
External links
- Blog of Death obituary
- Tapping into history Deborah JowittDeborah JowittDeborah Jowitt is an American dance critic, author, and choreographer. Her career in dance began as a performer and choreographer. Jowitt has received several awards for her work, including a Bessie for her work in dance criticism.Beginning in 1967, she wrote a weekly dance column for the Village...
, Village Voice. August, 2003. - TonyAwards.com Interview with Gregory Hines
- Archival footage of Gregory Hines, Dianne Walker and Jimmy Slyde in 1996 at Jacob's Pillow