Although he earned millions in his lifetime he died poor in 1949, at the age of 71. A lot of his money went to charities in Harlem, New York and beyond. His funeral was arranged by his good friend and television host, Ed Sullivan. It was held at the 369th Infantry Regiment Armory and was attended by thousands. His eulogy was broadcast over the radio by the father of the late Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. He was buried in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in Brooklyn, New York. In 1989, a joint congressional resolution established National Tap Dance Day on May 25.