Maurice Hines, the acclaimed tap dancer and Broadway veteran, has passed away at the age of 80, as confirmed by reports from friends and family.
Embarking on a show business career at the young age of five, Hines made his Broadway debut in 1954 with “The Girl in the Pink Tights.” His illustrious stage journey included notable performances in productions such as “Eubie!,” “Sophisticated Ladies,” “Bring Back Birdie,” and “Uptown…It’s Hot!” The latter earned him a Tony nomination. In 2001, he portrayed Nathan Detroit in a touring production of “Guys and Dolls,” alongside Debbie Allen, Leslie Uggams, and Richard Roundtree.
A crowning achievement in his career was the autobiographical show, “Maurice Hines: Tapping Through Life,” which paid tribute to his family and shared anecdotes of collaborating with luminaries like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Duke Ellington.
Notably, Hines made history in 1990 as the first African American director of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Born in 1943 in New York City, Hines and his younger brother, Gregory, were early dance prodigies. Their father, Maurice Hines Sr., joined them in the act known as Hines, Hines & Dad, featured on popular programs like The Pearl Bailey Show and The Tonight Show.
His film credits include “The Cotton Club,” a collaboration with his brother, where they portrayed a tap dance act inspired by the Nicholas Brothers. Their last joint performance in the film marked a period of estrangement due to a dispute, eventually reconciled after their mother’s passing. Maurice paid homage to Gregory in the Broadway production “Maurice Hines Is Tappin’ Through Life.”
Maurice Hines also became the subject of the documentary “Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back,” currently available for on-demand rental.
Details about survivors and memorial plans are not immediately available.
