Adolfo Gutierrez Quiñones obit

Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones Dies: Dance Pioneer & ‘Breakin” Star Was 65

 

 He was not on the list.

Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones, one of the forefathers of hip hop dancing and known best for his roles in the 80s breakdancing films Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo, has died. He was 65.

Quiñones’ death comes one day after he posted an Instagram photo of himself saying he was feeling “sluggish” from a cold, but had tested negative for COVID-19.

Shabba-Doo was one of the members of The Original Lockers, innovators of the dance style commonly known as locking. One of his fellow dance crew members, Toni Basil, announced Quinones death on Wednesday. No cause of death was given.

“It is with extreme sadness the Lockers family announces the unexpected passing of our beloved Adolfo Shabba-Doo Quinones. In this difficult time, we are requesting privacy,” Basil wrote in a statement on Twitter.

Born and raised in Chicago, Quiñones moved to Los Angeles in the early ’70s. He was an Original Soul Train Gang member, and went on to star as Ozone in the classic dance films Breakin and Breakin’ 2 Electric Boogaloo, as well as the 1990 film Lambada. Quiñones also appeared in Rave – Dancing to a Different Beat, which he also directed.

Also an award-winning musical theater choreographer, he had choreographed for Lionel Richie, Madonna, Luther Vandross, and Jamie Kennedy’s MTV show, Blowin’ Up, among others. He also served as the associate choreographer and lead dancer for the 78th Academy Awards, performing with first time Oscar winners, Three Six Mafia and Taraji P. Henson for their performance of “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”

Quiñones also choreographed for Michael Jackson.

“We are heartbroken by the passing of Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones and send our condolences to his family,” The Estate of Michael Jackson said in a statement. “Shabba-Doo was a genius and innovator who put body and soul into his dance and choreography. Michael worked with him over the course of many years including on the BAD short film and loved and admired him greatly.”

Quiñones guest-starred on numerous TV shows, including The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, Married… with Children, Miami Vice, What’s Happening!!, Saturday Night Live and Lawrence Leung’s Choose Your Own Adventure.

Madonna is among those sharing a remembrance of Shabba-Doo on social media.

 

Filmography

Film

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1978      Disco Fever         Dancer at Jet     

1980      Xanadu                 Xanadu Dancer Uncredited

1984      Breakin'                Ozone / Orlando              

1984      Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo       Ozone  

1989      Tango & Cash     Dancer

1990      Lambada              Ramone              

1993      Rave, Dancing to a Different Beat                             

1995      Steel Frontier     Deacon                

Television

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1976      What's Happening!!        Rocket dancer   Episode: "My Three Tons"

1980      The Big Show     Himself                 1 episode

1985      Miami Vice          Pepe      Episode: "The Maze"

1985      Kids Incorporated            The genie            Episode: "A Lad and His Lamp"

1989      The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!         Himself                 Episode: "Dance"

1990      Married... with Children                Cecil       Episode: "Rock and Roll Girl"

1991      The Sitter             Nick       TV movie