Harold Nicholas was one of the most celebrated dancers of the 20th century, known for his dazzling tap skills and acrobatic moves. He and his older brother Fayard formed the Nicholas Brothers, a duo that starred in many Hollywood musicals and performed with icons like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Cab Calloway. But how did Harold Nicholas die, and what legacy did he leave behind?
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The Rise of the Nicholas Brothers
Harold Nicholas was born on March 27, 1921, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to a musical family. His father was a drummer and orchestra leader, and his mother was a pianist. By the age of three, Harold was already dancing with his brother Fayard, who was seven years older. The brothers were inspired by the great performers they saw at the black vaudeville theater where their parents worked.
The Nicholas Brothers made their debut at the legendary Cotton Club in New York City when Harold was nine and Fayard was 16. They quickly gained acclaim for their elegant and energetic style, which combined tap, ballet, jazz, and swing. They also incorporated spectacular stunts, such as jumping over each other, sliding down stairs, and doing splits in mid-air.
The brothers began appearing in musical films with Eubie Blake, and soon caught the attention of Hollywood mogul Samuel Goldwyn, who cast them in Kid Millions (1934). They went on to star in more than 50 feature films, including The Big Broadcast (1936), Down Argentine Way (1940), Tin Pan Alley (1940), and Sun Valley Serenade (1941). They also performed on Broadway, in nightclubs, on television, and around the world.
The Personal Life of Harold Nicholas
Harold Nicholas had a tumultuous personal life, marked by several marriages and divorces. His first wife was the actress Dorothy Dandridge, whom he married in 1942. They had a daughter, Harolyn Suzanne, who was born with severe brain damage due to complications during labor. The couple divorced in 1951, after Nicholas had an affair with another woman.
Nicholas later married Elyanne Patronne, a French dancer, but they also divorced. His third and final wife was Rigmor A. Newman, a Swedish producer, whom he married in 1977. They remained together until his death.
Nicholas also struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction, which affected his career and health. He moved to France in the 1950s, where he worked as a singer and dancer, and also appeared in some European films. He returned to the United States in the 1960s, and continued to perform with his brother and other artists.
The Death of Harold Nicholas
Harold Nicholas died on July 3, 2000, at the age of 79, from heart failure following surgery at New York Hospital. He had undergone a quadruple bypass and a leg amputation due to complications from diabetes. He was survived by his wife, his brother, and his daughter.
His death was mourned by many fans and fellow performers, who praised his talent and influence. He and his brother were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a National Medal of Arts. They are widely regarded as two of the world’s greatest dancers, and their routines are still admired and studied by generations of dancers.
Harold Nicholas once said, “We were tap-dancers, but we put more style into it, more bodywork, instead of just footwork.” He certainly left his mark on the history of dance, and on the hearts of those who watched him.
