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 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
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self
MGM Parade
self
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Tap Dancer
The Jacksons
El mismo
The Pirate
Performer
That's Entertainment!
(archive footage)
Stormy Weather
Dancer
That's Dancing!
From 'Down Argentine Way' (archive footage)
Down Argentine Way
One of the Nicholas Brothers
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self
Sun Valley Serenade
Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Night at the Golden Eagle
Mr. Maynard
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Self (archive footage)
The Big Broadcast of 1936
Dot
It's Black Entertainment
Self
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back
Self (archive footage)
Tin Pan Alley
Dancer
Kid Millions
Dancer on Ship
Orchestra Wives
Dancer (as Nicholas Brothers)
Hard Four
Ulysses
Take It or Leave It
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
Self
The Liberation of L.B. Jones
Benny Smith
Coronado
Dance Specialty (uncredited)
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
Self
Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
Self
My Son Is Guilty
Specialty Act
Don't Gamble with Love
Specialty Dancer
Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
Self (uncredited)
Hello Kathrin
The Great American Broadcast
Railroad Station Dancer
Calling All Stars
Himself
The Black Network
Dancer (uncredited)
Abbott and Costello Christmas Show
Himself
El misterio del carro express
Pie, Pie Blackbird
Child with Nina / Dancer (as The Nicholas Brothers)
Bob Hope: Entertaining the Troops
Self
The Pirate: A Musical Treasure Chest
Self (archive footage)
Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather
Self (archival footage)
El mensaje de la muerte
Bailarín
Barber Shop Blues
Self - Dancer - One of the Nicholas Brothers
An All-Colored Vaudeville Show
Self
The Nicholas Brothers: We Sing and We Dance
Himself