This charismatic, black tap dancer—often recognized by his signature mustache—burst onto the scene at just five years old, performing alongside his brother Maurice. By the age of eight, he was already lighting up Broadway stages. Gregory Hines quickly became a household name, earning critical acclaim and widespread recognition for his electrifying performances. Over the course of three consecutive years, Gregory Hines received Tony Award nominations: first in 1979 for his role as Eubie Blake in the musical revue Eubie!, then in 1980 for Comin’ Uptown, a vibrant, Harlem-set reimagining of A Christmas Carol with an all-Black cast, and again in 1981 for Sophisticated Ladies, a dazzling tribute to Duke Ellington’s music. Though the nominations piled up, it wasn’t until 1993 that Gregory Hines finally claimed the prize. That year, he won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical, delivering a powerful and unforgettable performance as jazz legend ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton in Jelly’s Last Jam. Gregory Hines didn’t just dance—he embodied the rhythm, soul, and legacy of American jazz and tap, leaving an indelible mark on stage and screen alike.
When it comes to Gregory Hines, his most acclaimed work in film or music has got to be Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back from 2019—it really stands out as the highest-rated project associated with Gregory Hines. Over the years, fans and critics alike have pointed to this title as a highlight in his career. On the other hand, if we’re looking at the lower end of the spectrum, Deal of the Century (1983) tends to come up as the least favorably reviewed piece in Gregory Hines’s body of work. While Gregory Hines brought talent and charisma to every role, this particular film didn’t resonate as strongly with audiences or reviewers. Still, it’s worth noting that even in less successful projects, Gregory Hines left his mark.