Gregory Hines

At the time of his death, he was engaged to bodybuilder Negrita Jayde. He also appeared with Griffith in the 1986 made for television movie Return to Mayberry where he once again played Barney Fife.

. Hines died of liver cancer at the age of 57 in Los Angeles, California. He also had an small role on Matlock, which starred his old friend Andy Griffith. He earned Tony Award nominations for "Eubie," "Comin' Uptown" and "Sophisticated Ladies." Hines won a 1992 Tony for the musical "Jelly's Last Jam.". Knotts returned to television in the 1980s, appearing as Ralph Furley on Three's Company. On television, he starred in his own series in 1997 called The Gregory Hines Show, as well as in a recurring role on Will & Grace. In the 1970s, Knotts and Tim Conway starred together in a series of slapstick movies.

Hines appeared in such movies as The Cotton Club, White Nights, Running Scared, and Tap. Chicken (1966), The Reluctant Astronaut (1967) , The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) and The Love God? (1969). When Gregory was five years old, he and his brother began dancing professionally, most notably at the Apollo Theater, in Harlem. Limpet (1964), The Ghost and Mr. Born in New York, New York, Hines learned tap dancing as a toddler from his older brother Maurice Hines. Don Knotts starred in a series of films in the 1960s; The Incredible Mr. Gregory Oliver Hines (February 14, 1946 - August 9, 2003) was an American actor and dancer, regarded by many as the greatest tap dancer of his generation, and one who transcended the stage. He won five Emmy Awards for his work as Barney Fife.