Gregory Hines
This black, often mustachioed, tap dancer extraordinaire of exceptional charm made his professional debut at the age of five with his brother Maurice and was appearing on Broadway three years later. Gregory Hines was nominated for Tony Awards three years in a row for his work on Broadway in the musical revue "Eubie!" (1979, as Eubie Blake), for "Comin' Uptown" (1980) a black retelling of "A Christmas Carol" set in Harlem, and "Sophisticated Ladies" (1981), a revue of Duke Ellington songs. He finally took home the coveted prize in 1993 for his star turn as jazz great 'Jelly Roll' Morton in the stage musical "Jelly's Last Jam."