Gregory Hines Net Worth

What Is Gregory Hines’ Net Worth?

At the time of his death in 2006, Gregory Hines’ net worth was estimated to be $4 million. When adjusted for inflation, this equates to approximately $7 million in 2025. This figure reflects his diverse career as a dancer, actor, singer, choreographer, and director.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Born on February 14, 1946, in New York City, Gregory Hines began his journey into the world of dance at the tender age of two. By the time he was five, he was already performing semi-professionally. Growing up in the Sugar Hill district of Harlem, Hines’ early exposure to tap dancing was heavily influenced by his father, Maurice, a dancer, musician, and actor. He developed his skills alongside his older brother, Maurice Jr., under the tutelage of choreographer Henry LeTang. Together, as the Hines Kids, and later as the Hines Brothers, they honed their craft in nightclubs in Miami, Florida, sharing the stage with the legendary Cab Calloway. In 1963, their father joined the act as a drummer, forming the trio known as Hines, Hines, and Dad.

Film and Television Career

Hines’ foray into film began in 1981 with a role as Josephus in Mel Brooks’ comedy “History of the World, Part I.” Later that year, he appeared in the horror film “Wolfen.” His film career continued to gain momentum with roles in “Deal of the Century” (1983), alongside Chevy Chase and Sigourney Weaver, and “The Cotton Club” (1984), where he starred with his brother Maurice in a portrayal of a 1930s tap-dancing duo reminiscent of the Nicholas Brothers. In 1985, Hines starred opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov in the musical drama “White Nights.” That same year, he made appearances in episodes of the television series “Faerie Tale Theatre” and “Amazing Stories.”

In 1986, Hines co-starred with Billy Crystal in the buddy cop film “Running Scared.” Towards the end of the 1980s, he appeared alongside Willem Dafoe in the action thriller “Off Limits” and with Sammy Davis Jr. in the dance film “Tap.” He also hosted the 1989 PBS television special “Gregory Hines’ Tap Dance in America.”

The early 1990s saw Hines in the science-fiction action thriller “Eve of Destruction,” the crime film “A Rage in Harlem,” and the television film “T Bone N Weasel.” He later starred in Penny Marshall’s 1994 comedy “Renaissance Man.” In 1995, he appeared in Forest Whitaker’s romance film “Waiting to Exhale.” 1996 was a busy year for Hines, with roles in “Good Luck,” “Mad Dog Time,” “The Preacher’s Wife,” and “The Cherokee Kid.”

In 1997, Hines starred in a segment of the HBO television film “Subway Stories” and began starring in his own sitcom, “The Gregory Hines Show,” which aired for one season on CBS. Concluding the decade, Hines starred as a jazz saxophonist with Tourette syndrome in the film “The Tic Code.” He also took on the recurring role of Ben Doucette on the television sitcom “Will & Grace” and voiced Big Bill on Bill Cosby’s animated show “Little Bill.”

In 2000, Hines appeared in the films “Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her” and “Once in the Life,” and co-starred with James Belushi in the Showtime television film “Who Killed Atlanta’s Children?” In 2001, he starred in another Showtime television film, “Bojangles,” portraying the titular legendary entertainer, for which he earned Emmy and SAG Award nominations. He received two additional Emmy Award nominations for his 2002 Showtime television film “The Red Sneakers,” which he directed and appeared in. Hines won his first and only Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work on “Little Bill.” His final acting credits included the short-lived ABC sitcom “Lost at Home” and the 2004 film “Love That Girl, Sally.” It’s important to note that specific contract details or precise earnings for each film and television appearance are not publicly available.

Broadway and Stage Career

Hines achieved his breakthrough as a stage actor in the revue “Eubie!,” which premiered on Broadway in 1978. His performance earned him a Theatre World Award and a Tony Award nomination. He subsequently received two more consecutive Tony Award nominations for his leading roles in the musicals “Comin’ Uptown” and “Sophisticated Ladies.” In 1992, he won the Tony Award for his role in the musical “Jelly’s Last Jam,” where he portrayed legendary pianist Jelly Roll Morton. He was also nominated for his choreography work on the show.

Musical Endeavors

Beyond his dance and acting career, Hines explored his musical talents. In the mid-to-late 1970s, he served as the lead singer of the Los Angeles rock band Severance. In the latter half of the 1980s, he achieved a Billboard R&B chart hit with the song “There’s Nothing Better Than Love,” a collaboration with Luther Vandross. Hines released his self-titled debut album, which featured the Vandross-penned hit song “That Girl Wants to Dance with Me.” While specific sales figures and royalties from his music career are not publicly accessible, these ventures undoubtedly contributed to Gregory Hines’ net worth.

Other Ventures and Contributions

Hines extended his influence beyond performing arts through various other endeavors. He successfully petitioned for the creation of National Tap Dance Day at the end of the 1980s. He was a member of the Jazz Tap Ensemble and the American Tap Dance Orchestra and served on the board of directors of Manhattan Tap. Additionally, he co-hosted the Tony Awards in 1995 and 2002.

Personal Life

Gregory Hines married his first wife, Patricia Panella, in 1968. They had a daughter named Daria before divorcing in 1972. He later married Pamela Koslow in 1981, with whom he had a son named Zachary. They divorced in 2000. For the last three years of his life, Hines was engaged to Canadian bodybuilder and author Negrita Jayde. Hines passed away on August 9, 2003, from liver cancer while en route to the hospital in Los Angeles. His funeral took place in Santa Monica, and he was buried in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Assets and Investments

While it’s challenging to provide a comprehensive list of Gregory Hines’ assets and investments due to privacy and the lack of publicly available information, it is understood that his net worth of $4 million in 2006 (equivalent to roughly $7 million in 2025, adjusted for inflation) was primarily derived from his earnings as a successful dancer, actor, singer, choreographer, and director. These earnings would have accumulated over decades of work in the entertainment industry.

Given his long and diverse career, Hines likely had a mix of assets, which could have included:

• Real Estate: It is unknown if Hines owned property at the time of his death.
• Investments: Details regarding specific investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other financial instruments) are not publicly available.
• Intellectual Property: As a performer, Hines likely retained rights to some of his performances, recordings, and choreographic works. The financial value of these rights would depend on ongoing royalties and licensing agreements, if any.
• Personal Property: The value of his personal belongings, such as vehicles, jewelry, art, and other assets, is also not known.

Without access to his estate records, it is impossible to provide a more detailed breakdown of his assets and investments.

Comparison to Other Entertainers

While precise net worth comparisons are difficult without complete data, it’s useful to consider the financial landscape of entertainers with similar career trajectories. Dancers, actors, singers, choreographers, and directors who achieve sustained success over decades typically accumulate wealth through a combination of salaries, royalties, investments, and business ventures.

It is worth noting that Gregory Hines’ influence extended beyond mere financial metrics. His contributions to tap dance and his impact on the performing arts are immeasurable. He paved the way for future generations of dancers and entertainers, leaving a lasting legacy.