TAP DANCERS

BILL "BOJANGLES" ROBINSON

• Born May 25, 1878
• Began dancing for a living at age 5
• Invented a new way to tap- from flat footed to toes
• Many of his steps, including the famous "stair dance" are used today
• Best known and highest paid African American entertainer in first half of 20th century

FRED ASTAIRE

• Born May 10, 1899
• Best known as the dancing partner of Ginger Rogers
• Entered show business at age 5
• Regarded by many as the greatest popular music dancer of all time

SAMMY DAVIS, JR

• Born on December 8, 1925
• Began his career at age 3
• Often thought of as the "greatest entertainer in the world"
• Combined comedy with tap dancing

GREGORY OLIVER HINES

• Born on February 14, 1946
• Involved in show business at age 4
• A smooth-as-silk tap dancer on Broadway
• Was a major figure in revitalizing tap dance in the late 20th century

HOWARD "SANDMAN" SIMS

• Born on January 24, 1917 or 1918 (he was unsure of his birth year)
• Got his nickname "Sandman" from tap dancing on sand
• Started tap dancing at age 3