Fayard Nicholas
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 20, 1914
- Died
- January 24, 2006
- Birthplace
- Mobile, Alabama, USA
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.
Filmography
Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather 2022
as Self (archival footage)
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back 2019
as Self (archive footage)
Bob Hope: Entertaining the Troops 2016
as Self
Hard Four 2007
as Ulysses
The Pirate: A Musical Treasure Chest 2007
as Self (archive footage)
Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty 2003
as Self
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There 2003
as Self
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer 2002
as Self
Night at the Golden Eagle 2002
as Mr. Maynard
It's Black Entertainment 2002
as Self
Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story 2002
as Self (uncredited)
Small Steps, Big Strides: The Black Experience in Hollywood 1998
as Self
The Nicholas Brothers: We Sing and We Dance 1992
as Himself
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC 1988
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
That's Dancing! 1985
as From 'Down Argentine Way' (archive footage)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? 1975
as Self (archive footage)
That's Entertainment! 1974
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Liberation of L.B. Jones 1970
as Benny Smith
Hello Kathrin 1956
Actor
El misterio del carro express 1953
as Bailarín
El mensaje de la muerte 1953
as Bailarín
Abbott and Costello Christmas Show 1952
as Himself
The Pirate 1948
as Performer
Take It or Leave It 1944
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Stormy Weather 1943
as Dancer
Orchestra Wives 1942
as Dancer (as Nicholas Brothers)
Sun Valley Serenade 1941
as Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
The Great American Broadcast 1941
as Railroad Station Dancer
Tin Pan Alley 1940
as Dancer
Down Argentine Way 1940
as One of the Nicholas Brothers
My Son Is Guilty 1939
as Specialty Act
- Calling All Stars
Calling All Stars 1937
as Himself
The Black Network 1936
as Dancer (uncredited)
Don't Gamble with Love 1936
as Specialty Dancer
Coronado 1935
as Dance Specialty (uncredited)
The Big Broadcast of 1936 1935
as Dot
An All-Colored Vaudeville Show 1935
as Self
Kid Millions 1934
as Dancer on Ship
- Barber Shop Blues
Barber Shop Blues 1933
as Self - Dancer - One of the Nicholas Brothers
- Pie, Pie Blackbird
Pie, Pie Blackbird 1932
as Child with Nina / Dancer (as The Nicholas Brothers)
Credits from TMDB.