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Born
Howard "Sandman" Sims was born on January 24, 1917, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He and his family moved to Los Angeles, California shortly after that. -
Began tap dancing
He was one of 10 children. Sims began to tap dance at the age of 3 with his brother on the streets of LA. -
Boxing became tap dancing
Tap dancing on sand
He was a boxer and discovered his talent by shuffling his feet in the rosin box before he entered the ring. People liked the effect, so he tried dancing on sandpaper, but wore out his shoes. He tried gluing sandpaper to his shoes, but wore out the mat. Loose sand in a box was the solution. -
Broke his hand twice while boxing
After breaking his hand twice, he gave up boxing and went to New York City. He then joined the "Hoofers". They dance with their whole foot instead of just the traditional heel and toe. -
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Worked at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem
In the 1950's times were tough for tap dancers. He worked at the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem as the "executioner", the man who yanked unpopular or untalented performers off stage on amateur nights.
He said that sometimes performers wait outside to beat him up. He needed to explain to them that he himself got kicked off 10 times before he could finish his act. Then he danced and won 25 contests after that. This led to the 4 win limit now in effect. -
Known to help famous dancers and boxers.
Sandman Sims helped teach Gregory Hines and Ben Vereen his dancing techniques. Sims also helped champion boxers Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali to improve their footwork in the ring. -
Featured in the television documentary "No Maps on My Taps"
He was featured in the 1978 television documentary "No Maps on My Taps", which stirred up a new interest in tap dancing. He said in the film, ""The feet are a set of drums,the heels are the bass, the toes the melody, and you get off rim shots with the sides of the foot." -
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Toured around the world in 53 countries
He toured around the world dancing in 53 different countries for the U.S. State Department. -
Won a National Heritage Fellowship award
He won a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1984. He used the money to teach dance to children in a Harlem parking lot. -
Appeared in "The Sand Dancer"
He appeared in "The Sand Dancer", a play by poet Sandra Hochman inspired by his life and career. -
Seen in the film "Tap" as Gregory Hine's tap teacher
he re-enacted his real life role as Gregory Hines's tap teacher in Tap. Hines plays the role in the movie as a veteran burglar as well as a talented tap dancer. He must decide between these two acts. -
Appeared on the Cosby Show
Bill Cosby vs. Sandman Sims
He appeared on the Cosby Show as Rudy's tap dancing teacher facing off against Bill Cosby in a good natured tap challenge. -
Died
Died age 85 in Bronx, New York after suffering from Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, one son, and nine grandchildren.
