Maurice Hines Cause of Death

Maurice Hines, the renowned Broadway dancer, choreographer, and actor, recognized for his dynamic performances alongside his late brother Gregory Hines, has passed away at the age of 80. His captivating artistry was notably showcased in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Cotton Club, where the Hines brothers’ act drew comparisons to the legendary Nicholas Brothers. Maurice Hines died on Friday of natural causes at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, where he had resided for a couple of years.

Born on December 13, 1943, in Harlem to Alma and Maurice Sr., Maurice Robert Hines Jr. emerged as an elegant talent in the world of performing arts. His father, a self-taught soda salesman and drummer, raised the family on W. 150th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Maurice and his younger brother Gregory, separated by 26 months, honed their tap-dancing skills under the guidance of Henry LeTang in Manhattan, drawing inspiration from the acrobatic Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold.

The Hines Kids, as they were known professionally, made their debut at the age of around six, captivating audiences with their tap-dancing prowess. Their Broadway appearance in 1954’s The Girl in Pink Tights marked the beginning of their journey, choreographed by the legendary Agnes de Mille.

As their career progressed, Maurice and Gregory evolved into the Hines Brothers and later Hines, Hines & Dad when Maurice Sr. joined them in 1963. Regular performers at the Apollo Theater in New York, the trio also graced clubs across the U.S. and Europe, as well as making appearances on The Tonight Show.

In the early 1970s, Gregory pursued a solo career, while Maurice took on the role of Nathan Detroit in a national tour of Guys and Dolls. However, their paths converged again for the Broadway production of Eubie! in 1979. Maurice later stepped into his brother’s shoes for Sophisticated Ladies on Broadway in January 1982 and starred in the national tour of Jelly’s Last Jam, a role Gregory had previously won a Tony for.

A poignant moment in their careers was their portrayal of the feuding Williams Brothers in The Cotton Club (1984), mirroring the intricacies of their real-life relationship. Maurice Hines’s legacy is one of immense talent, collaboration, and a commitment to preserving the rich traditions of dance and performance on the grand stage.