Trivia

Compliments followed them wherever they went. Dancer extraordinaire Fred Astaire once called The Nicholas Brothers' "Jumpin' Jive" dance sequence in the film Stormy Weather (1943) the greatest movie musical number he had ever seen. Famed choreographer George Balanchine called their acrobatic movement ballet, despite their lack of formal training. Tapper Gregory Hines once said that if a film were ever made about the Nicholas Brothers, the dance numbers would have to be computer-generated because nobody could duplicate them. Ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov once called them the most amazing dancers he had ever seen.

Dancing for nine U.S. Presidents through the course of their careers, the brothers were awarded Kennedy Center Honors (1991).

The brothers broke down racial barriers through their career. As child performers at Harlem's Cotton Club, they were the only entertainers in the all African-American cast allowed to mingle with patrons.

Self-taught, Fayard learned how to dance watching vaudeville shows while their parents played in the orchestra pit. He then would teach the routines to his younger brother. Fayard was considered the gregarious one of the duo; Harold was more withdrawn and introspective.

Fayard's two granddaughters call themselves the Nicholas Sisters and perform the brothers' old steps on the road.

The Nicholas Brothers were inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame (2002) (inaugural class).

Continued to tap dance and spoke frequently at dance festivals around the world until suffering a stroke in November 2005.

Former brother-in-law of Dorothy Dandridge. His ex-wife, Geraldine Pate, was her best friend.

Known for doing cartwheels landing in full splits.

Older brother of Harold Nicholas; together, they were billed as The Nicholas Brothers.

Singer and tap dancer.

Father of Tony Nicholas, and Paul Nicholas.

Won Broadway's 1989 Tony Award for Best Choreography for the musical review "Black and Blue", along with collaborators Cholly Atkins, Henry LeTang and Frankie Manning.

He and Harold Nicholas were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on January 2, 1994.

Granddaughters: Cathie Nicholas, and Nicole Nicholas.

Inducted into National Museum of Dance C.V. Whitney Hall of Fame with his brother Harold Nicolas.

Uncle of Harolynn Nicholas, and Meliah Nicholas.

Son of Ulysses D. Nicholas, and Viola Harden Nicholas.

Brother of Dorothy Nicolas Morrow.