Hinton Battle
About
Biography
Biography
Hinton Battle worked in a variety of genres and built up a diverse and reputable career. He had a part on the television special "Happy Birthday, Hollywood!" (1986-87). He also appeared in the TV movie "The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory" (1986-87). A regular on the awards show circuit, he made an appearance on "The 39th Annual Tony Awards" (1984-85). He also landed roles in movies like the Daryl Haney action film "Daddy's Boys" (1988). As a composer, Battle created music for the comedy "Playing for Keeps" (1986) with Danny Jordano. His film career continued throughout the nineties in productions like "Foreign Student" (1994). He appeared in a number of television specials, including "Star-athon '92: A Weekend With the Stars" (1991-92) and "The Boys" (1991-92). Additionally, he appeared on the television special "The Kennedy Center 25th Anniversary Celebration" (1995-96). Battle last acted on "Smash" (2011-13).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Dance (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Dance (Special)
Misc. Crew (Special)
Life Events
1973
Made his stage debut in "Shim Sham" at the Allentown Pennsylvania Stage Company
1975
Had his breakthrough stage role, the Scarecrow in "The Wiz," the award-winning, all-black modern adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz"
1978
Appeared in "Dancin'," directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse, and toured with the show before returning to Broadway in 1980
1981
Appeared as James Thunder Early in the Michael Bennett-directed musical "Dreamgirls"
1981
Co-starred in the revue "Sophisticated Ladies," for which he received his first Tony Award; he toured on and off with the show over a four-year period (1982-1986)
1983
Had a featured role in "The Tap Dance Kid," starring Alfonso Ribeiro, for which he garnered his second Tony Award
1983
Acted in the British telefilm "A Night on the Town"
1987
Made his first US TV movie, "The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory" (NBC)
1988
Made his feature acting debut in a bit role as a piano player in "Daddy's Boys"
1991
Returned to Broadway in "Miss Saigon," for which he won his third Tony Award
1992
Served as associate choreographer and music editor on the ABC variety special "The Boys"
1994
Had his biggest onscreen role in "Foreign Student," and served as choreographer and song performer
1997
Played the slick mouthpiece Billy Flynn in the highly-praised revival of "Chicago"
2001
Portrayed Bill "Bojangles" Robinson in the ABC biopic "Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story"
