Dancer-actor Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quinones, who starred in “Breakin’” and its sequel “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo,” died Tuesday night, several media outlets reported. He was 65.
No cause of death was listed, Variety reported.
Dubbed “hip-hop’s first matinee idol” by Dance Magazine, Quinones died at his home in Los Angeles. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Quinones’ publicist, Biff Warren, said the dancer had tested negative for COVID-19, but “the next day he’s dead. It opens up all kinds of questions.”
Quinones, a native of Chicago, was a proponent of the dance style that became known as “locking,” the website reported. He played Ozone in the breakdancing films “Breakin’” and “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.” Both movies were released in 1984.
Quinones also appeared in the 1990 film, “Lambada.” He also was the choreographer for Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” music video and also appeared in it, Variety reported. Quinones’ video credits also included work with Madonna, where he was the main choreographer and primary dancer for the singer’s “Who’s That Girl?” tour in 1987, Entertainment Tonight reported. He also did work for Luther Vandross, the website reported.
Quinones also appeared in such films as “Xanadu” (1980), “Tango & Cash” (1989) and choreographed the 2007 film “Kickin’ It Old Skool.”
Quinones was a founding member of The Lockers, a street-dance troupe, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He appeared with Toni Basil and “What’s Happening!!” star Fred Berry on “Saturday Night Live” during the show’s first season in 1975.
Basil posted on Twitter that “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.”
He also performed as a member of the Soul Train Gang on television and in “Bette! Divine Madness” on Broadway, the website reported.
Quinones also was the choreographer for Three 6 Mafia’s performance at the 2006 Academy Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.