Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
The dancer I chose is Bill Robinson. He is also known as Bojangles, which is his nickname. However, his original birth name was Luther. Bill was born in Richmond, Virginia, on May 25, 1878. He lived his life as an actor and tap dancer until he died in New York in 1949, from heart disease.
Bill began his dancing career at the age of 7, when he quit school so he could become a dancer. This must have worked out for him, because by the end of his life he was referred as the greatest tap dancer to ever live. He also invented the stair dance, which is a form of tap dancing, in which you tap up and down a flight of stairs. Lastly, his birthday was named National Tap Dancing Day by Congress in 1989. …show more content…
He played in 15 movies. His debut was in 1930 in the movie Dixiana. However, a lot of his movie success came from the Shirley Temple movies. He starred in four of these movies, which are The Little Colonel, The Little Rebel, Just around the corner, and Rebecca of Stonybrook Farm. Also, Bill receives credit for helping with the choreography of Shirley Temple's film, Dimples. Bojangles mark on the tap dancing world still remains today. His famous tap dancing routines are still admired by many, and his " Stair Dance" is still used in many movies and by many dancers.
Bojangles has also left a mark in many other areas. He took a break from his acting and dancing days during World War I. He served as a rifleman in the trenches, as well as a drum major who led the regimental band up 5th Avenue on the return home from fighting. Also, having an admiration for baseball, he cofounded the New York Black Yankees, who were a part of the Negro National League.
Furthermore, Bill had a great heart. Never did he have a frown on his face, as he lived his life, which earned him the nickname Bojangles. His great heart also came in to effect even after his death, as he donated massive amounts of his wealth to Harlem charities, resulting in a Harlem park being named after
The dancer I chose is Bill Robinson. He is also known as Bojangles, which is his nickname. However, his original birth name was Luther. Bill was born in Richmond, Virginia, on May 25, 1878. He lived his life as an actor and tap dancer until he died in New York in 1949, from heart disease.
Bill began his dancing career at the age of 7, when he quit school so he could become a dancer. This must have worked out for him, because by the end of his life he was referred as the greatest tap dancer to ever live. He also invented the stair dance, which is a form of tap dancing, in which you tap up and down a flight of stairs. Lastly, his birthday was named National Tap Dancing Day by Congress in 1989. …show more content…
He played in 15 movies. His debut was in 1930 in the movie Dixiana. However, a lot of his movie success came from the Shirley Temple movies. He starred in four of these movies, which are The Little Colonel, The Little Rebel, Just around the corner, and Rebecca of Stonybrook Farm. Also, Bill receives credit for helping with the choreography of Shirley Temple's film, Dimples. Bojangles mark on the tap dancing world still remains today. His famous tap dancing routines are still admired by many, and his " Stair Dance" is still used in many movies and by many dancers.
Bojangles has also left a mark in many other areas. He took a break from his acting and dancing days during World War I. He served as a rifleman in the trenches, as well as a drum major who led the regimental band up 5th Avenue on the return home from fighting. Also, having an admiration for baseball, he cofounded the New York Black Yankees, who were a part of the Negro National League.
Furthermore, Bill had a great heart. Never did he have a frown on his face, as he lived his life, which earned him the nickname Bojangles. His great heart also came in to effect even after his death, as he donated massive amounts of his wealth to Harlem charities, resulting in a Harlem park being named after