Ambassador of tap, Gregory Hines, died on Saturday night in Los Angeles. He was 57.

A passionate missionary for an art form that, like so much else in Hollywood, had been consigned to the rubbish heap of history, Gregory Hines almost single-handedly revived interest in tap in all its forms. Born in 1946 in New York City, Hines began dancing around the age of three, by the time he was five he and his elder brother, Maurice, took their act on the road. In 1954 the two were featured in the Broadway musical, "The Girl In Pink Tights." Appearances on TV on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Tonight Show" showcased the brothers, who were often joinded by their father, Maurice Sr., on drums.

The late 1960s saw a split between the brothers as Gregory wanted to experiment with other musical forms, such as rock, in the act. The two eventually parted ways in 1973. In 1981 Hines made his big screen debut in Mel brooks' History of the World Part I. In 1984 the brothers reunited as a Nicholas Brothers-inspired act in Coppola's Cotton Club. The film gave Hines the chance to display his acting chops and he soon began cropping up in other films, not always as a dancer.

Nominated for a Tony for his work in Eubie! and Sophisticated Ladies, Hines finally won the award in 1992 for his role as Jelly Roll Morton in Jelly's Last Jam. Much of his time and energy was spent in reintroducing his mentors to the public, the old tap dancers who had been largely forgotten or never known, yet who pushed the form far beyond what most people think of when they consider tap. His 1989 PBS documentary, Gregory Hines: Tap Dance In America was nominated for an Emmy Award, as was his dramatic role in 1992's mini Bojangles.

Hines' own style was far from the restrained sophistication of earlier big screen luminaries like Astaire or even Bill Bojangles. An earthy physical power drove his body, and his tap was driving and electric. Once he attained a measure of success in the entertainment business, Hines turned to the next generation, mentoring young talent such as Savion Glover.

Hines' legacy is now everywhere, as tap has emerged from its mothballs to take its place as a young and vibrant art form. The actor-dancer may have been taken from us early, but at least he didn't waste on second of his time while he was here.