Jack Wiggins

Who is Jack Wiggins?

Jack Wiggins was an African-American entertainer of the early twentieth century, now remembered primarily for his elegant style in tap dancing. Wiggins worked as a performer at the legendary Hoofers Club on "Swing Street" in Harlem, New York, where he inspired Laurence Donald "Baby Laurence" Jackson. Wiggins also influenced Fayard and Harold Nicholas of the famous Nicholas Brothers tap duo. Wiggins was recognized as a master soloist in the "Class Act" style of tap dancing. A signature dance of Wiggins' was the "tango twist."

In a 1993 interview with The Los Angeles Times, Nipsey Russell remarked that he had been inspired to become a performer around the age of 10 while watching Wiggins on stage. "He came out immaculately attired in a well-dressed street suit and he tap-danced," Russell said. "As he danced, he told little jokes in between. He was so clean in his language and was lacking in any drawl, he just inspired me. I wanted to do that."