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Birth
Born in Richmond Virgina, where his birth name was actually Luther Robinson. Now known as National Tap Dance Day. -
Began Preforming
At the age of 6, Bill began dancing at near by local beer gardens. -
Parents Death
In 1885, both of his parents, Maria and Maxwell Robinson died, leaving him and his brother to be raised by his grandmother, Belinda. This is when Belinda encouraged Luther's brother "bill" to trade names with him. -
Vaudeville
In 1906, Bill began an extremely successful stage career in Vaudeville. This event is so monumental because Bill had to stand against segregation and help banish the rule that that an African American could not preform on stage alone. -
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First Marriage
Bill's first marriage was with Lena Chase lasted 15 years -
Famous "Stair Dance"
In 1921, while Bill was working at the Palace in New York he wonderfully danced up and down the stairs from the stage to the Orchestra Pit. Although dances on the stage had been done before, the world had never seen it done like this. -
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Second Marriage
His second marriage was to Frannie S. Clay and it lasted for 21 years before Bill divorced her in 1943. During the time they were married, Frannie acted as a managerial figure and assisted in the establishment of the Negro Actors Guild of America to aid the right of African American Preformers. -
Blackbirds of 1928
Starred In Blackbirds of 1928. Bill was recognized in this film for his famous "stair dance" and became a groundbreaking work as it was intended for an all-white audience.
Soon after people came to know Bill as "Bojanagles" which was attributed to his cheerful demanor towards his white fans. -
The Littlest Rebel
The Littlest Rebel is one of the many films that aided in Bill's stardom. This particular film cinematically captured his expert tap dance style and is still being used as a research tool to discovered the similarites between genders and races in film culture. -
Stormy Weather
Bill most commonly appeared in white-produced films, but in 1943 he starred in an African-American produced film, Stormy Weather, with actress Lena Horne. -
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Third and Final Marriage
Bill had his third and final marriage in 1944 with Elaine Plains. It lasted for 5 years before Bill's death in 1949. -
Death
Died in New York City from heart failure. He died poor even after earning millions during his life span due to the donation of most of his money to Harlem Charaties. Although he didn't leave behind money, he left an unforgettable legacy still be rediscovered everday.
