Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (May 25, 1878 - November 25, 1949) was an American tap dancer and actor of stage and film. Audiences enjoyed his understated style, which eschewed the frenetic manner of the jitterbug in favor of cool and reserve; rarely did he use his upper body, relying instead on busy, inventive feet and an expressive face.

Bill Robinson's character was memorialized in Jerry Jeff Walker's 1968 folk song "Mr. Bojangles". The song was NOT about Bill Robinson himself, but it was inspired by Walker's encounter with a street performer in the New Orleans first precinct jail, an obscure alcoholic but talented tap-dancing drifter, so it represents the homage to the original "Bojangles".

Song was recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Byrds, Harry Nilsson, Harry Chapin, Chet Atkins, King Curtis, Jim Croce, Bob Dylan, Harry Belafonte, Arlo Guthrie, Nina Simone, John Denver, David Bromberg, Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis, Jr., Tom T. Hall, John Holt, Robbie Williams, and David Campbell.