Fayard Nicholas

Fayard Nicholas

Born: October 20, 1914
Died: January 24, 2006
in 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.

Movies for Fayard Nicholas...

Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather
Title: Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather
Character: Self (archival footage)
Released: June 11, 2022
Type: Movie
In the 1940s, the Nicholas Brothers performed a dance routine so seminal it prefigured hip hop by three decades. Contemporary dancers Les Twins choreograph and perform their homage to the one and only duo.
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Hard Four
Title: Hard Four
Character: Ulysses
Released: November 1, 2007
Type: Movie
When legendary gambler Golden Hands Segal suffers a fatal heart attack at the craps table in Las Vegas, his grandson Freddy Meingold and boyhood pal Spencer Ragusa have less than 24 hours to retrieve the body for burial in New Jersey.
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The Pirate: A Musical Treasure Chest
Title: The Pirate: A Musical Treasure Chest
Character: Himself
Released: July 24, 2007
Type: Movie
A documentary on the making of the Gene Kelly/Judy Garland musical The Pirate (1948)
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Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
Title: Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty
Character: Himself
Released: June 24, 2003
Type: Movie
Actor Obba Babatundé hosts this biopic showcasing the life of acclaimed African-American singer and actress Dorothy Dandridge, who overcame racism and personal tragedy to become one of the most acclaimed performers of Hollywood's golden age. The film combines rare historical footage of Dandridge, on and off the stage, and interviews with stars such as Laurence Fishburne, Jasmine Guy and Halle Berry discussing her powerful legacy.
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Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Title: Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2003
Type: Movie
Broadway: The Golden Age is the most important, ambitious and comprehensive film ever made about America's most celebrated indigenous art form. Award-winning filmmaker Rick McKay filmed over 100 of the greatest stars ever to work on Broadway or in Hollywood. He soon learned that great films can be restored, fine literature can be kept in print - but historic Broadway performances of the past are the most endangered. They leave only memories that, while more vivid, are more difficult to preserve. In their own words — and not a moment too soon — Broadway: The Golden Age tells the stories of our theatrical legends, how they came to New York, and how they created this legendary century in American theatre. This is the largest cast of legends ever in one film.
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Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
Title: Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
Character: Self
Released: September 24, 2002
Type: Movie
American Masters Series. Documentary on Gene Kelly that gives insight into his dancing, how he formed a style (first "blue collar dancer") and developed different cinematique techniques, such as brilliantly shot dancing sequences.
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Night at the Golden Eagle
Title: Night at the Golden Eagle
Character: Mr. Maynard
Released: May 17, 2002
Type: Movie
Two elderly criminals spend their final night in Los Angeles, California at the Golden Eagle Hotel prior to their departure to Las Vegas, Nevada, to lead a life without crime. Unfortunately, on the hottest night of the summer, these two ex-criminals seemingly get caught in the malice of prostitutes, pimps, drunken bums, fighting monkeys, and young runaways.
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It's Black Entertainment
Title: It's Black Entertainment
Character: Self
Released: February 8, 2002
Type: Movie
A star-studded tribute (from the creators of That's Entertainment) to the contributions of Afro-Americans in film over the last century. Vanessa Williams traces the struggles and triumphs of the superstars of music and film. Among the many artists featured are: Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Cab Calloway, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Little Richard, Also included are today's contemporary superstars: Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Quincy Jones, Spike Lee, Russell Simmons, and many, more! 80 minutes plus DVD bonus features.
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Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
Title: Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
Character: Self (uncredited)
Released: February 5, 2002
Type: Movie
The story of the short film from the beginning of the movies in the 1890s, when all movies were shorts, through the 1950s when short subjects virtually disappeared from theaters.
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The Nicholas Brothers: We Sing and We Dance
Title: The Nicholas Brothers: We Sing and We Dance
Character: Himself
Released: November 29, 1992
Type: Movie
The Nicholas Brothers are presented here in a way that reflects the joy and intrinsic goodness that seemed to come from their hearts, and express itself in brilliantly conceived and executed performances. The film addresses the difficult issues in their lives, such as Harold's health problems, and the fact that in the U.S. they were considered 2nd class citizens because of their race.
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Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Title: Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: May 16, 1988
Type: Movie
Stars celebrate Bob Hope's 50 years with NBC.
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That's Dancing!
Title: That's Dancing!
Character: From 'Down Argentine Way' (archive footage)
Released: January 18, 1985
Type: Movie
A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from it's orgins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s 50s and 60s up to the break dance and the music videos from the 80s.
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Title: The Kennedy Center Honors
Character: Self
Released: December 28, 1978
Type: TV
The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.
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Title: The Jacksons
Character: Self
Released: June 16, 1976
Type: TV
The Jacksons is an American variety show featuring the Jackson siblings. It was the first variety show where the entire cast were siblings. As with the Jackson 5 regular performances, Michael Jackson was the lead performer in musical and dance performances. The thirty-minute Wednesday evening show began airing on CBS as a summer 1976 show and it continued into the 1976–1977 season, finishing on March 9, 1977 after running for 12 episodes.
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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Title: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: August 6, 1975
Type: Movie
Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American entertainment industry during the Great Depression.
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That's Entertainment!
Title: That's Entertainment!
Character: (archive footage)
Released: June 21, 1974
Type: Movie
Various MGM stars from yesterday present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50 year history.
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The Liberation of L.B. Jones
Title: The Liberation of L.B. Jones
Character: Benny Smith
Released: March 18, 1970
Type: Movie
Undertaker L.B. Jones, the richest black man in his county of Tennessee, is divorcing his wife for infidelity with a white policeman. Taking a stand against racism, he is greeted with a hostile bunch of Southern bigots and other various stereotypes.
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Title: The Hollywood Palace
Character: Self - Tap Dancer
Released: January 4, 1964
Type: TV
The Hollywood Palace is an hour-long American television variety show that was broadcast weekly on ABC from January 4, 1964 to February 7, 1970. Originally titled The Saturday Night Hollywood Palace, it began as a mid-season replacement for The Jerry Lewis Show, another variety show which had lasted only three months. It was staged in Hollywood at the former Hollywood Playhouse on Vine Street, which was renamed The Hollywood Palace during the show's duration and is today known as Avalon Hollywood. A little-known starlet named Raquel Welch was cast during the first season as the "Billboard Girl", who placed the names of the acts on a placard.
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Hello Kathrin
Title: Hello Kathrin
Released: May 8, 1956
Type: Movie
German musical with Caterina Valente and Peter Alexander.
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El misterio del carro express
Title: El misterio del carro express
Released: July 22, 1953
Type: Movie
Police detective and his plucky girl-reporter fiancée go after the gang that committed a train robbery.
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El mensaje de la muerte
Title: El mensaje de la muerte
Released: May 2, 1953
Type: Movie
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Title: The Colgate Comedy Hour
Character: Self
Released: September 10, 1950
Type: TV
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show starred many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Ben Blue, Robert Paige, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb and Spike Jones and His City Slickers.
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The Pirate
Title: The Pirate
Character: Performer
Released: June 11, 1948
Type: Movie
A girl is engaged to the local richman, but meanwhile she has dreams about the legendary pirate Macoco. A traveling singer falls in love with her and to impress her he poses as the pirate.
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Take It or Leave It
Title: Take It or Leave It
Character: Himself
Released: July 17, 1944
Type: Movie
A young husband becomes a game-show participant in the hopes of winning the cash to pay his pregnant wife's doctor.
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Stormy Weather
Title: Stormy Weather
Character: Dancer
Released: July 21, 1943
Type: Movie
Dancing great Bill Williamson sees his face on the cover of Theatre World magazine and reminisces: Just back from World War I, he meets lovely singer Selina Rogers at a soldiers' ball and promises to come back to her when he "gets to be somebody." Years go by, and Bill and Selina's rising careers intersect only briefly, since Selina is unwilling to settle down. Will she ever change her mind? Concludes with a big all-star show hosted by Cab Calloway.
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Orchestra Wives
Title: Orchestra Wives
Character: Dancer (as Nicholas Brothers)
Released: September 4, 1942
Type: Movie
Connie Ward is in seventh heaven when Gene Morrison's band rolls into town. She is swept off her feet by trumpeter Bill Abbot. After marrying him, she joins the band's tour and learns about life as an orchestra wife, weathering the catty attacks of the other band wives.
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Sun Valley Serenade
Title: Sun Valley Serenade
Character: Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Released: August 29, 1941
Type: Movie
When Phil Corey's band arrives at the Idaho ski resort its pianist Ted Scott is smitten with a Norwegian refugee he has sponsored, Karen Benson. When soloist Vivian Dawn quits, Karen stages an ice show as a substitute.
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The Great American Broadcast
Title: The Great American Broadcast
Character: Railroad Station Dancer
Released: May 9, 1941
Type: Movie
After WWI two men go into radio. Failure leads the wife of one to borrow money from another; she goes on, after separation, to stardom. A coast-to-coast radio program is set up to bring everyone back together.
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Tin Pan Alley
Title: Tin Pan Alley
Character: Dancer
Released: November 29, 1940
Type: Movie
Songwriters Calhoun and Harrigan get Katie and Lily Blane to introduce a new one. Lily goes to England, and Katy joins her after the boys give a new song to Nora Bayes. All are reunited when the boys, now in the army, show up in England.
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Down Argentine Way
Title: Down Argentine Way
Character: One of the Nicholas Brothers
Released: October 11, 1940
Type: Movie
The story—in which an American heiress on holiday in South America falls in love with an Argentine horse breeder against the wishes of their families—takes a backseat to the spectacular location shooting and parade of extravagant musical numbers, which include the larger-than-life Carmen Miranda singing the hit “South American Way” and a showstopping dance routine by the always amazing Nicholas Brothers.
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Nicholas Brothers Family Home Movies
Title: Nicholas Brothers Family Home Movies
Released: January 1, 1940
Type: Movie
The Nicholas family home movies capture a golden age of show business -- with extraordinary footage of Broadway, Harlem and Hollywood -- and also document the middle-class African-American life of that era, images made rare by the considerable cost of home-movie equipment during the Great Depression. Highlights include the only footage shot inside the Cotton Club, the only footage of famous Broadway shows like "Babes in Arms," home movies of an all African-American regiment during World War II, films of street life in Harlem in the 1930s, and the family's cross-country tour in 1934.
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My Son is Guilty
Title: My Son is Guilty
Character: Specialty Act
Released: December 28, 1939
Type: Movie
Honest cop Tim Kerry struggles to keep his son Ritzy from becoming involved in a crime ring.
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Calling All Stars
Title: Calling All Stars
Character: Himself
Released: March 1, 1937
Type: Movie
Musical review. The messenger carrying the master discs of a season drops them, so Flotsam and Jetsam are sent out to collect the stars concerned. Each star gives an extract from his or her record.
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The Black Network
Title: The Black Network
Character: Dancer (uncredited)
Released: April 4, 1936
Type: Movie
The owner of a shoe polish company sponsors a radio show that showcases black performers. Since his wife's father put up the money to be the sponsor, she insists on singing on the show. She goes on after the main star, singer Nina Mae McKinney. The wife sings so badly that the sponsor's customers abandon him. He is forced to shine shoes on street corners, while Nina Mae and her boyfriend win a bet on a daily number and end up on easy street.
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Don't Gamble with Love
Title: Don't Gamble with Love
Character: Specialty Dancer
Released: February 28, 1936
Type: Movie
Standard tale of husband and wife living a party lifestyle. He works in a gambling hall and she occasionally models and sings. Because they want to start a family wife feels the need to change their situation. Situation is changed and husband gets a new job and then a promotion but is tricked into a bad business deal and wants to go back to his old life.
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Coronado
Title: Coronado
Character: Dance Specialty (uncredited)
Released: November 27, 1935
Type: Movie
Southern California's Hotel Coronado caters to and is frequented by members of the social upper-crust. Although she lives on the wrong side of the San Diego track, in a tent-city with her father. Otto, and ditzy sister, Violet, June Wray is a singer with the Eddy Duchin Orchestra appearing to the hotel. Johnny Marvin, an aspiring songwriter and the son of a wealthy automobile manufacturer, is staying at the hotel and, from they moment June and Johnny meet, they fall instantly in love. Trouble arises when Johnny's father objects to the romance, and complications and help arrive in the form of two Marine-hating sailors,Chuck Hornbostel and "Pinky" Falls, when Chuck marries June's ditzy sister.
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The Big Broadcast of 1936
Title: The Big Broadcast of 1936
Character: Dot
Released: September 20, 1935
Type: Movie
Two-bit radio station owner Spud Miller doubles as the station's sole announcer. On the verge of bankruptcy, Spud is receptive to the wacky notions of George and Gracie, who've just invented a television device that can pick up and transmit any signal, any time, anywhere.
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An All-Colored Vaudeville Show
Title: An All-Colored Vaudeville Show
Character: Self
Released: June 21, 1935
Type: Movie
Black vaudeville acts are featured in this Vitaphone Pepper Pot short. In addition to those listed in the credits, acts include The 3 Whippets, a group of acrobats; and The Five Racketeers, a band that initially backs up Eunice Wilson and then sings "Tiger Rag".
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Kid Millions
Title: Kid Millions
Character: Dancer on Ship
Released: November 10, 1934
Type: Movie
A musical comedy about a Brooklyn boy who inherits a fortune from his archaeologist father, but has to go to Egypt to claim it.
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Barber Shop Blues
Title: Barber Shop Blues
Character: Dancer - One of the Nicholas Brothers
Released: September 30, 1933
Type: Movie
A barber shop owner wins a sweepstake. He remodels his shop and hires Claude Hopkins and his orchestra to play for his customers. Two songs are sung, and the Four Step Brothers tap dance in the closing number.
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Pie, Pie Blackbird
Title: Pie, Pie Blackbird
Character: Child with Nina / Dancer (as The Nicholas Brothers)
Released: June 3, 1932
Type: Movie
Short featuring musician Eubie Blake and his orchestra, singer Nina Mae McKinney, and young tap dancers Fayard and Harold Nicholas.