Fayard Nicholas
Known for Acting · 44 credits
- Born
- 1914-10-20
- Died
- 2006-01-24
- Place of birth
- Mobile, Alabama, USA
- Also known as
- The Nicholas Brothers · Nicholas Brothers · Fayard Antonio Nicholas
Biography
Fayard Antonio Nicholas was an American choreographer, dancer and actor. He and his younger brother Harold Nicholas made up the Nicholas Brothers tap dance duo, who starred in the MGM musicals An All-Colored Vaudeville Show, Stormy Weather, The Pirate, and Hard Four. The Nicholas brothers also starred in the 20th Century-Fox musicals Down Argentine Way, Sun Valley Serenade, and Orchestra Wives. In 1932, when he was 18 and his brother was only 11, they became the featured act at Cotton Club in New York City. The brothers earned fame with a unique style of rhythm tap that blended "masterful jazz steps with daredevil athletic moves and an elegance of motion worthy of ballet". They appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway and in London they worked with jazz choreographer Buddy Bradley. The performances led them to a career in film. Nicholas appeared in over 60 films, including the 1943 musical Stormy Weather with their signature staircase dance.
His career was interrupted from 1943 to 1944 when he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Nicholas achieved the rank of Technician fifth grade while in WWII.
After his dance career ended, Nicholas and his wife, Katherine Hopkins Nicholas, embarked on a lecture tour discussing dance. In 2003, Nicholas served as "Festival Legend" at the third "Soul to Sole Tap Festival" in Austin, Texas.
Nicholas was inducted into the National Museum of Dance C.V. Whitney Hall of Fame in 2001.
Known For
TV Shows (4)
Movies (40)
The Pirate
1948
as Performer
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003
as Self
That's Entertainment!
1974
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975
as Self (archive footage)
Stormy Weather
1943
as Dancer
That's Dancing!
1985
as From 'Down Argentine Way' (archive footage)
It's Black Entertainment
2002
as Self
Hard Four
2007
as Ulysses
Orchestra Wives
1942
as Dancer (as Nicholas Brothers)
The Liberation of L.B. Jones
1970
as Benny Smith
Sun Valley Serenade
1941
as Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
2002
as Self
Down Argentine Way
1940
as One of the Nicholas Brothers
Kid Millions
1934
as Dancer on Ship
Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
2003
as Self
Bob Hope: Entertaining the Troops
2016
as Self
Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
2002
as Self (uncredited)
Night at the Golden Eagle
2002
as Mr. Maynard
Coronado
1935
as Dance Specialty (uncredited)
The Big Broadcast of 1936
1935
as Dot
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
1998
as Self
Take It or Leave It
1944
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
1940
as Dancer
Don't Gamble with Love
1936
as Specialty Dancer
The Great American Broadcast
1941
as Railroad Station Dancer
My Son Is Guilty
1939
as Specialty Act
The Pirate: A Musical Treasure Chest
2007
as Self (archive footage)
Hello Kathrin
1956
Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather
2022
as Self (archival footage)
The Nicholas Brothers: We Sing and We Dance
1992
as Himself
An All-Colored Vaudeville Show
1935
as Self
El misterio del carro express
1953
as Bailarín
Pie, Pie Blackbird
1932
as Child with Nina / Dancer (as The Nicholas Brothers)
Calling All Stars
1937
as Himself
The Black Network
1936
as Dancer (uncredited)
El mensaje de la muerte
1953
as Bailarín
Abbott and Costello Christmas Show
1952
as Himself
Barber Shop Blues
1933
as Self - Dancer - One of the Nicholas Brothers
About Fayard Nicholas
Fayard Antonio Nicholas was an American choreographer, dancer and actor. He and his younger brother Harold Nicholas made up the Nicholas Brothers tap dance duo, who starred in the MGM musicals An All-Colored Vaudeville Show, Stormy Weather, The Pirate, and Hard Four. The Nicholas brothers also starred in the 20th Century-Fox musicals Down Argentine Way, Sun Valley Serenade, and Orchestra Wives. In 1932, when he was 18 and his brother was only 11, they became the featured act at Cotton Club in New York City. The brothers earned fame with a uniq… With 44 credits spanning from 1932 to 2022, Fayard Nicholas has appeared in 40 films and 4 TV shows.
Fans searching for Fayard Nicholas movies, Fayard Nicholas filmography, or the latest projects starring Fayard Nicholas can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Fayard Nicholas Movies
- The Pirate (1948) — as Performer
- Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) — as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) — as Self
- That's Entertainment! (1974) — as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) — as Self (archive footage)
Where to Watch Fayard Nicholas Films
Most Fayard Nicholas movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Fayard Nicholas, check our movies catalogue and browse page.