Actor and acrobatic dancer Fayard Nicholas and his brother Harold were among the most popular novelty nightclub acts of the '30s and '40s. The Nicholas brothers were born to a family of performers. They were an energetic duo, known for injecting spectacular back flips, high jumps and splits into their routines. They developed their unique dance style themselves and got their start in African American nightclubs. Later they became a staple at New York's prestigious Cotton Club where they performed for many years. The Nicholas Brothers also appeared in a few Broadway musicals, and during the '60s appeared on television. Fayard Nicholas appeared alone in a few films.