Acting · Mobile, Alabama, USA · Born October 20, 1914
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.
MovieNicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather
2022
as Self (archival footage)
MovieMaurice Hines: Bring Them Back
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieBob Hope: Entertaining the Troops
2016
as Self
MovieHard Four
2007
as Ulysses
MovieThe Pirate: A Musical Treasure Chest
2007
as Self (archive footage)
MovieDorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
2003
as Self
MovieBroadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003
as Self
MovieGene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
2002
as Self
MovieNight at the Golden Eagle
2002
as Mr. Maynard
MovieIt's Black Entertainment
2002
as Self
MovieAdded Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
2002
as Self (uncredited)
MovieSmall Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood
1998
as Self
MovieThe Nicholas Brothers: We Sing and We Dance
1992
as Himself
MovieHappy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieThat's Dancing!
1985
as From 'Down Argentine Way' (archive footage)
TVThe Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
TVThe Jacksons
1976
as El mismo
MovieBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThat's Entertainment!
1974
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieThe Liberation of L.B. Jones
1970
as Benny Smith
TVThe Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self - Tap Dancer
MovieHello Kathrin
1956
TVMGM Parade
1955
as self
MovieEl misterio del carro express
1953
as Bailarín
MovieEl mensaje de la muerte
1953
as Bailarín
MovieAbbott and Costello Christmas Show
1952
as Himself
MovieThe Pirate
1948
as Performer
MovieTake It or Leave It
1944
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieStormy Weather
1943
as Dancer
MovieOrchestra Wives
1942
as Dancer (as Nicholas Brothers)
MovieSun Valley Serenade
1941
as Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
MovieThe Great American Broadcast
1941
as Railroad Station Dancer
MovieTin Pan Alley
1940
as Dancer
MovieDown Argentine Way
1940
as One of the Nicholas Brothers
MovieMy Son Is Guilty
1939
as Specialty Act
Calling All Stars
1937
as Himself
MovieThe Black Network
1936
as Dancer (uncredited)
MovieDon't Gamble with Love
1936
as Specialty Dancer
MovieCoronado
1935
as Dance Specialty (uncredited)
MovieThe Big Broadcast of 1936
1935
as Dot
MovieAn All-Colored Vaudeville Show
1935
as Self
MovieKid Millions
1934
as Dancer on Ship
Barber Shop Blues
1933
as Self - Dancer - One of the Nicholas Brothers
Pie, Pie Blackbird
1932
as Child with Nina / Dancer (as The Nicholas Brothers)
