Gregory Hines Quotes

Powerful Gregory Hines for Daily Growth

About Gregory Hines

Gregory Hines (February 14, 1946 – August 5, 2003) was a versatile American actor, dancer, and musician, renowned for his electrifying performances in film, television, and stage. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to a musical family, Hines's passion for the arts was ignited early on. His father, Maurice Hines, was a tap dancer, singer, and actor, while his mother, Emma Jane Hines-Harris, was a classical dancer and choreographer. Gregory Hines' career took flight in 1978 when he starred in the hit film "The Bugaloos" alongside his brother, Maurice Hines Jr. This marked the beginning of a prolific acting career that would span over two decades. His breakthrough role came in 1980 as the host and star of the television show "Soul Train." Hines's versatility shone through in projects such as "Running Scared" (1986), where he played a tough New York City cop, and "Tap" (1989), in which he co-starred with his brother. His portrayal of Billy Rhythm in the latter film earned him critical acclaim for his dance skills and acting talent. Throughout his career, Hines was influenced by the legends of tap dance, including Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and John Bubbles. He continued to honor their legacy by teaching and mentoring younger generations of dancers. In 1997, he was awarded a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in the Broadway production "Jelly's Last Jam." Despite battling lung cancer since 2000, Hines continued to work until his passing on August 5, 2003. His impact on the world of dance and entertainment remains indelible, and his legacy continues to inspire artists around the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dance is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is no mere translation or imitation of life; it is a step beyond, and if it is to be of any real worth, it must be a step from the human to the superhuman."

Gregory Hines' quote emphasizes that dance transcends mere imitation or representation of everyday life. Instead, it aspires to surpass human capabilities by reaching towards the "superhuman," suggesting an artistic form capable of evoking emotion, beauty, and transcendence. This is achieved not just through mimicking reality but by elevating it, offering audiences a glimpse into something greater than our ordinary experiences.

"I think that dance is a way for people to feel better about themselves, to have an outlet for their frustrations and their sorrows and their pains, but also for their joys and their happiness."

This quote by Gregory Hines suggests that dance serves as a therapeutic and expressive medium for individuals. It offers an avenue to vent emotions such as frustration, sorrow, and pain, while also allowing one to celebrate joy and happiness. In essence, dance can provide emotional release, boost self-esteem, and serve as a means of personal growth and self-expression.

"When you dance, your purpose is not to make steps... each movement should be like a brush stroke on a canvas. The point is to paint a picture that tells a story."

This quote suggests that when one dances, it's not merely about executing specific moves or steps; instead, each movement should have purpose and meaning, much like a stroke of a paintbrush on a canvas. The objective is to create a compelling narrative through dance - a visual story that resonates with audiences. Just as an artist paints a picture, a dancer uses their body movements to bring a tale to life.

"The thing about tap dancing is it's the one art form where, if you don't do it, you can hear it!"

Gregory Hines' quote emphasizes the unique quality of tap dancing as an art form where its execution or omission can be distinctly heard, setting it apart from other performing arts that rely more on visual cues for appreciation. This quotation underscores the importance of rhythm, precision, and sound in tap dance, reinforcing the idea that mastery of this art involves a harmonious blend of movement, music, and auditory expression.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain."

This quote by Gregory Hines suggests that rather than just enduring life's challenges (the "storm"), we should learn to find joy and meaning in them (dancing in the rain). In other words, it encourages resilience and positivity amidst adversity. It underscores the importance of embracing life as it comes, finding ways to make the best out of every situation, and not wasting time waiting for hardships to disappear before experiencing true joy and growth.

I like to do an interview when the other person isn't expecting it. I find it's more spontaneous.

- Gregory Hines

Other, Like, Expecting, Interview

When my brother and me got into performing in the late '40s and early '50s, it was a sensational opportunity to learn from our elders. Every show we played had a dancer, a comic, a juggler, a singer, an acrobat. I came to appreciate virtuosity in all forms of the business.

- Gregory Hines

Singer, Show, Sensational, Forms

They told me that the hotels had maybe two rooms set up for people with disabilities, but if they got there too late, and didn't get one of these rooms, they couldn't take a shower. The room wasn't hooked up for them, or maybe the sink was too high.

- Gregory Hines

Shower, Too Late, Rooms, Disabilities

I don't remember not dancing. When I realized I was alive and these were my parents, and I could walk and talk, I could dance.

- Gregory Hines

Dancing, Alive, Could, Parents

Once I got to be about twenty-five, I got interested in the music of the time. I started smokin' dope, I started drinking, I started slowing down and trying to find myself. I didn't want to work in nightclubs.

- Gregory Hines

Work, Myself, Drinking, Smokin

They were very generous with me. Everybody was willing to talk about their particular accident, what they had to deal with and how they got back in touch with their competitors' spirit.

- Gregory Hines

Deal, Everybody, Very, Accident

You know the first time I sat in the chair I felt anything but up, it was very emotional for me. I had a chair in my hotel room, a chair at rehearsal, and I was trying to spend as much time as I could in the chair.

- Gregory Hines

Chair, Rehearsal, Very, Hotel Room

I grew up in the '50s, a tough time for African Americans. I had friends whose fathers would openly say, 'Just bite your tongu;, don't cause any problems.' My father was not like that. Even in the toughest times racially, if somebody disrespected his family, they were in trouble.

- Gregory Hines

Father, Cause, Fathers, African Americans

I wanted to make a movie, because the whole life of the movies appealed to me. You work hard for three or four months, then you don't work at all for a couple of months.

- Gregory Hines

Work Hard, Couple, Months, Appealed

I've had times when I've done what seems like a thousand interviews to promote a film that I'm in. I start to think that I'm the best thing that ever happened to the world, talkin' about myself for cryin' out loud. Then I come home, and my wife needs me to help with dinner and empty the garbage, and the kids need help with their homework.

- Gregory Hines

Best, About, Had, Dinner

My character had been in the chair for seven years. He had gone through his anger, depression, drug and alcohol abuse. He had gone through everything, now he was up, he was happy, he was filled with his dream.

- Gregory Hines

Alcohol, Through, Been, Depression

I read the script, and I knew it was a good part. It was written for a white actor. That's what I'm up against - I have to try to make roles happen for me that aren't written black.

- Gregory Hines

Happen, Against, Read, Script

One of the things about working on stage - actually, about working in show business, that is - is that it's such a collaborative effort. I suppose that everything in life is - every endeavor where people are able to be successful.

- Gregory Hines

About, One Of The Things, Collaborative

It turned out to be exactly that, but more challenging emotionally. I looked at it in a more physical way, having to act in a chair and move around. But it really was more emotionally challenging.

- Gregory Hines

Move, Having, Turned, Challenging

It would be like the films I've seen where wardens would decide to be in a jail cell for a week, to get a sense of what it would be like to be a prisoner.

- Gregory Hines

Week, Like, Films, Jail

I'm going to tap until I can't: I'll be so old, all I can do is walk out from the wings to stage center. But I'll be there.

- Gregory Hines

Old, Going, Tap, Wings

I can remember feeling very angry, and saying no! I can do it myself! From that point of view it was very emotional for me to get myself to the point to sit in the chair and be 'up'.

- Gregory Hines

Myself, Point Of View, Very, Chair

My roots are on the live performing stage, so while I enjoy making films and the other things that I do, when I get on stage, I feel at home; I'm comfortable.

- Gregory Hines

Other, Making, Films, Performing

As parents, we're human beings, too, but sometimes we're not as understanding as we'd like to be.

- Gregory Hines

Sometimes, Like, Too, Human Beings

My father has always been my hero.

- Gregory Hines

Father, Always, Been, Hero

I never wanted to be a star, I just wanted to get work.

- Gregory Hines

Work, Never, Wanted, Star

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