Gregory Hines

Black Heritage

Gregory Hines

Tap Dancer, Actor, Choreographer, and Singer

Cover Announcement 

This versatile performer was born on February 14, 1946 in New York City. He began tap dancing when he was two years old and started his professional career at age five. At that point, along with his older brother Maurice, Gregory began studying with choreographer Henry LeTang. "The Hines Kids" as they were known, performed in many nightclubs during their growing-up years.

In the mid-seventies. Hines starred as the lead singer and musician in the rock band "Severance" in Venice, Califomia. In 1986 he sang a duet called "There's Nothing Better Than Love" with Luther Vandross. It reached number one on the Billboard Charts. Gregory made his movie debut in Mel Brooks' History of the World, Part 1. In1997 he starred in his own telervision series on CBS entitled The Gregory Hines Show.

Hines had made his Broadway debut at age 8 in 1954's The Girl in Pink Tights. Through the years. he appeared in many plays, and in 1992 won the Tonl- Award and the Drama Desk Award for his starring role in Jell 's Last Jam. This amazing performer aiso created and hosted a PBS special called "Gregory Hines' Tap Dance in America.'' He also hosted the Tony Awards ceremony in 1995 and 2002.

Shortly before his death in 2003, Gregory Oliver Hines won an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program." It is an honor to offer this hand painted first day cover for a great American performer. Collins #L5801 - $16.50.