Howard Sims, also known as “Sandman”, was a tap dancer in vaudeville. He acquired his name from the sand he sprinkled on the floor to amplify the sound of his steps when he danced. In his senior years, Sims appeared at the famous Apollo Theater, comedically ushering failed acts offstage with a shepherd’s crook, or “hook”. He appeared in a 1988 episode of The Cosby Show as Rudy’s tap dancing teacher, facing off against Cliff (Bill Cosby) in a good natured tap challenge.

A great all around tap dancer, his speciality was sand dancing which he performed in a sand box. His mini-stage was a 3-foot square made of 2×4’s with a galvanized tin floor, which (at least in later years) he had rigged to a microphone. Sandman Sims used to travel the USA challenging all tap dancers he came across to dance-offs. It is said that he never lost a challenge.