Harold Nicholas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harold Nicholas
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Nicholas pictured c. early 1940s
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| Born |
Harold Lloyd Nicholas
March 27, 1921 |
| Died | July 3, 2000 (aged 79) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1932–1999 |
| Spouse(s) |
Elyanne Patronne (m. 19??; div. 19??) Rigmor A. Newman
(m. 1977) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Harold Lloyd Nicholas (born March 27, 1921 – died July 3, 2000) was an amazing American dancer. He was especially famous for his tap dancing. Harold was the younger part of the famous Nicholas Brothers duo. They were known as two of the world's greatest dancers. His older brother was Fayard Nicholas. Harold Nicholas appeared in many musicals. Some of these include An All-Colored Vaudeville Show (1935), Stormy Weather (1943), The Pirate (1948), and The Five Heartbeats (1991).
Contents
Harold Nicholas: A Dance Legend
Early Life and Starting to Dance
Harold Nicholas was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His father, Ulysses Domonick, was a drummer and orchestra leader. His mother, Viola Harden, was a pianist. When Harold was very young, his older brother Fayard loved watching their parents perform. They worked in a black vaudeville theater. Fayard was amazed by the performers on stage.
Because they were always around show business, Fayard wanted to name his new baby brother after his hero. This hero was Harold Lloyd, a famous silent movie comedian. So, Harold Lloyd Nicholas got his name! The two brothers soon started dancing together. They quickly became famous for their elegant, acrobatic moves and amazing tap dancing skills.
When Fayard was 16 and Harold was nine, they performed at the famous Cotton Club in New York City. They were an instant hit and very popular.
A Dazzling Career in Film
Harold and Fayard's fame grew quickly. They became huge stars at Twentieth Century Fox. Their dance numbers in the studio's musical movies were truly astounding. The brothers started appearing in musical films with Eubie Blake. They performed in vaudeville shows, on Broadway, in nightclubs, on television, and in many movie musicals.
Harold appeared in more than 50 feature films. Some of these include The Big Broadcast (1936), Down Argentine Way (1940), Tin Pan Alley (1940), and Sun Valley Serenade (1941). In Sun Valley Serenade, they performed the incredible "Chattanooga Choo Choo" tap dance. Harold, Fayard, and Dorothy Dandridge were all part of this famous number.
The legendary dancer Fred Astaire once told the brothers that their "Jumpin’ Jive" dance in Stormy Weather (1943) was the greatest movie musical number he had ever seen. In this amazing scene, the brothers danced on a piano and even leaped over musicians!
The Nicholas Brothers' Hollywood journey began after movie boss Samuel Goldwyn saw them in a nightclub. He cast them in Kid Millions (1934). They became big film stars. This was despite rules at the time that often stopped Black performers from having speaking parts or scenes with white co-stars. Their last film together was The Pirate in 1948. In this movie, Gene Kelly danced with them, which was a big step in breaking down racial barriers in film. After this, Harold worked as a solo artist. He moved to France and toured as a singer and dancer. He even appeared in the French film L’Empire De La Nuit (1964).
Later Years and Tributes
Harold Nicholas would return to America sometimes to perform shows with his brother. He also appeared in later films like Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Tap (1989), The Five Heartbeats (1991), and Funny Bones (1995).
From 1985 to 1986, Harold played "Daddy Bates" in the national tour of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid. In 1993, he starred in a new musical called If These Shoes Could Talk. This show was created for him, and it was his last stage performance in a musical.
In 1998, Carnegie Hall was completely sold out for a special tribute to Harold and his brother. Both brothers were there to enjoy the honor. Harold had lived on New York's Upper West Side for about 20 years with his third wife, Rigmor Alfredsson Newman, who was a producer.
Personal Life
Harold Nicholas was married three times and had two children. His first marriage was to actress, singer, and dancer Dorothy Dandridge on September 6, 1942. They first met at the Cotton Club in Harlem in 1938. They had a daughter named Harolyn Suzanne, born on September 2, 1943. Their marriage lasted nine years, ending in 1951. Harold also had a son, Melih, with his second wife, Elyanne Patronne. At the time of his passing, he was married to Rigmor Newman Nicholas.
Death and Honors
Harold Nicholas passed away in New York City on July 3, 2000. He was 79 years old and died from heart failure. In 2001, Harold Nicholas was honored by being inducted into the National Museum of Dance C.V. Whitney Hall of Fame. His brother Fayard Nicholas was also inducted at the same time.
Film Appearances
Harold Nicholas appeared in many films, often dancing with his brother Fayard. Here are some of them:
- Pie, Pie Blackbird (1932)
- Kid Millions (1934)
- An All-Colored Vaudeville Show (1935)
- The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935)
- Down Argentine Way (1940)
- Tin Pan Alley (1940)
- Sun Valley Serenade (1941)
- Orchestra Wives (1942)
- Stormy Weather (1943)
- The Pirate (1948)
- Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
- That's Entertainment! (1974)
- Tap (1989)
- The Five Heartbeats (1990)
- Funny Bones (1995)
