Nicholas, Paul 1945-

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Nicholas, Paul 1945-

PERSONAL

Original name, Paul Oscar Beuselinck; born December 3, 1945, in Peterborough, England; son of Oscar (a lawyer) and Marjorie Beuselinck; married Susan Gee, 1966 (divorced, 1970); married Linzi Jennings, December 10, 1984; children: (first marriage) Natasha, Oscar; (second marriage) Alexander, Carmen; some sources cite other children.

Career:

Actor, singer, and producer. Performed as a pop singer; also a performer with Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages. Paul Nicholas and David Ian Associates, Inc. (production company), cofounder; cofounder of the Paul Nicholas School for Acting (franchise of acting schools). Paul Nicholas Community Arts (arts organization for children), founder, c. 2008; involved with other charities for children and the deaf. Some sources state that Nicholas used other names in his entertainment career.

Member:

British Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Awards, Honors:

Television Award nomination, best light entertainment performance, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, 1985, for Just Good Friends; best actor award nomination, c. 1988, for Bust; Silver Heart, Variety Club of Great Britain, for his work in the entertainment industry and charity work; his singles have received platinum and gold certifications, Recording Industry Association of America.

CREDITS

Stage Appearances:

Claude, Hair (musical), Shaftesbury Theatre, London, beginning 1969.

Danny Zuko, Grease (musical), New London Theatre, London, c. 1970.

The Innocent Bystanders, Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, c. 1970.

Jesus (title role) and Danny, Jesus Christ Superstar (rock opera), Palace Theatre, London, beginning 1972.

Pippin (musical), Her Majesty's Theatre, London, 1973.

Pilgrim's Progress (musical; also known as Pilgrim), Prospect Theatre Company, London, 1974-75.

T. Zee and the Lost Race (also known as T. Zee), Royal Court Theatre, London, 1976.

Rum Tum Tugger, Cats (musical), New London Theatre, beginning 1981.

Title role, Blondel (rock opera), Old Vic Theatre, London, 1983.

Buttons, Cinderella (pantomime), Wimbledon Theatre, London, 1984-85.

Prince Charming, Cinderella (pantomime), Palladium, London, 1985-86.

Joe Studholme, Charlie Girl (musical), Victoria Palace Theatre, London, 1986-87.

Pirate king, Pirates of Penzance (opera), Palladium, 1990.

King Arthur, Camelot (musical), Covent Garden Festival, London, 1996.

The Mysterious Mr. Love, Comedy Theatre, London, 1997.

Catch Me If You Can, 1998.

Hey, Mr. Producer! (benefit concerts; also known as Hey Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh), Lyceum Theatre, London, 1998.

A Tale of Two Cities (musical), Theatre Royal, Windsor, England, 1998, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, England, 1999.

Caught in the Net (also known as Run for Your Wife 2), Vaudeville Theatre, London, 2001.

Robert, Stage Struck (also known as Stagestruck), Theatre Royal, 2005.

Narrator, Schwartz Stories (revue), King's Head Theatre, London, 2006.

Also appeared as Claudio, Much Ado about Nothing, Young Vic Theatre, London; appeared in other productions, including Crete and Sergeant Pepper and Starburst.

Major Tours:

Pirate king, Pirates of Penzance (opera), British cities, 1990.

P. T. Barnum (title role), Barnum (musical), British cities, 1991.

Jesus (title role), Jesus Christ Superstar (concert production of rock opera), British cities, 1992.

Don Lockwood, Singin' in the Rain (musical), British cities, 1995.

The Dark Side, British cities, 1997.

The Mysterious Mr. Love, British cities, c. 1997.

Title role, Doctor Dolittle (musical), British cities, 2001.

Sam Spencer, Snakes and Ladders, British cities, 2002.

Tevye, Fiddler on the Roof (musical), British cities, 2003.

Vernon, Mixed Feelings, British cities, c. 2003.

Title roles, Jekyll and Hyde (musical), British cities, 2004-2005.

Julian Marsh, 42nd Street (musical), British cities, 2007.

Stage Producer:

(With David Ian) The Greatest Shows in Town, Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), Bournemouth, England, c. 1990.

(With Ian) Grease (musical), Dominion Theatre, London, 1993.

(With Ian) Ain't Misbehavin' (musical revue), Lyric Theatre, London, 1995.

(With Ian) Saturday Night Fever (musical based on the film), Palladium, London, beginning 1998, Minskoff Theatre, New York City, 1999-2000.

Schwartz Stories (revue), King's Head Theatre, London, 2006.

Keeler, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate, North London, 2007.

(With Ian) Grease (musical), Picadilly Theatre, London, and Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City, both beginning 2007.

Also producer of other productions, including the musical The Rocky Horror Show.

Stage Producer; with David Ian; Major Tours:

Jesus Christ Superstar (concert production of rock opera), British cities, 1992.

Singin' in the Rain (musical), British cities, 1995.

Chess (musical), British cities, c. 1995-97.

Evita (musical), British cities, c. 1995-97.

Happy Days (musical), British cities, British and Australian cities, beginning 1999.

Grease (musical), British cities, beginning 2000.

Saturday Night Fever (musical based on the film), British cities, beginning 2000.

Jekyll and Hyde (musical), British cities, 2004-2005.

Stage Director:

Keeler, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate, North London, 2007.

Director of other productions, including the musical The Rocky Horror Show. Some sources state that Nicholas directed other productions.

Film Appearances:

(Uncredited) Mann, Die Weibchen (also known as Little Women and Femmine carnivore), 1970.

Paul, Cannabis (also known as French Intrigue, The Mafia Wants Your Blood, Cannabis—Engel der Gewalt, and New York Parigi per una condanna a morte), Oceanic, 1970, dubbed version released by Cinemation Industries, 1974.

Jack "Jacko" Osgood, Blind Terror (also known as See No Evil and Unseen), Columbia, 1971.

Johnny "Jack" Tallent, What Became of Jack and Jill? (also known as Romeo and Juliet '71), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1972.

Gary, Three for All, Fox-Rank, 1974.

Johnny, Stardust, Columbia, 1974.

Cousin Kevin, Tommy (rock opera; also known as Tommy by "The Who," Tommy: The Movie, and The Who's "Tommy"), Columbia, 1975.

Richard Wagner, Lisztomania, Warner Bros., 1975.

Dougie Shears, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (also known as Banda de los corazones), Universal, 1978.

Clint Simon, Yesterday's Hero, EMI, 1979.

Gem Gemini, The World Is Full of Married Men, New Line Cinema, 1979.

Keith Lennox, The Jazz Singer, Associated Film, 1980.

Cheshire Cat and Caterpillar, Alicja (also known as Alice), 1982.

Mike McCann, Nutcracker (also known as Nutcracker Sweet), Rank, 1982.

David Anderson, Invitation to the Wedding, New Realm, 1983.

Voice of Dr. Heinrich Vandoor, Everything but the Kitchen in Sync (short film), 2006.

Television Appearances; Series:

Presenter, Paul, Granada Television, 1978.

Jimmy, Two Up, Two Down, BBC, 1979.

Vince Pinner, Just Good Friends, BBC, 1983-86.

Narrator and multiple characters, Creepy Crawlies (animated), Thames Television, beginning c. 1985.

Narrator for British version, The Adventures of Spot (animated), [Great Britain], beginning 1987.

Neil Walsh, Bust, London Weekend Television, 1987-88.

James Shepherd, Close to Home, Independent Television (England), 1989-90.

David Janus, Sunburn, BBC, 1999-2000.

Ronnie Buchan, Burnside, Independent Television (England), 2000.

Himself, Only Fools on Horses (also known as Sport Relief 2006), BBC, 2006.

Acting coach, Grease Is the Word, Independent Television (England), beginning 2007.

Mr. Woods (surgeon and consultant), The Royal Today, Independent Television (England) and TV3 Television Network (Ireland), beginning 2007.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Himself, The 100 Greatest Musicals, Channel 4 (England), 2003.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Jake, "The Season of the Witch," The Wednesday Play, BBC, 1970.

Kevin, "Early Struggles," Play for Today, BBC, 1976.

Sam, "A Little Rococo," Plays for Pleasure (also known as Plays for Pleasure: A Little Rococo), Yorkshire Television, 1981.

Doubting Thomas—A Musical (musical; also known as Doubting Thomas), TVS, c. 1983.

Himself, Comic Relief, BBC, 1988.

Himself, A Night of Comic Relief 2, BBC, 1989.

The Royal Variety Performance 1989, Independent Television (England), 1989.

Ira Gershwin: A Centenary Celebration—Who Could Ask for Anything More?, Arts and Entertainment, 1997.

"Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh" (also known as "Hey, Mr. Producer" and "Great Performances: Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh"), Great Performances, PBS, 1998.

Himself, When Snooker Ruled the World, BBC, 2002.

Himself, Greasemania, Independent Television (England), 2003.

Himself, Happy Birthday, Peter Pan, BBC, 2005.

Appeared in other programs, including Paul and Friends, Thames Television; and in other installments of the Royal Variety Performance.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Himself, "Christmas Special," Till Death Us Do Part (also known as Til Death Us Do Part), BBC, 1972.

Slim, "Pop Goes the Weasel," Softly, Softly (also known as Softly, Softly: Task Force), BBC, 1974.

Himself, Tiswas (live action and animated; also known as This Is Saturday, Wear a Smile!, This Is Saturday, What a Show!, and Today Is Saturday, Watch and Smile!), Associated Television, 1976, 1978 (multiple episodes).

Frank Hogg, "Killing Mice," Lady Killers (also known as Ladykillers), Granada Television, 1980.

Malcolm, "Thrill Show," CHiPs (also known as Chips and CHiPs Patrol), NBC, 1980.

Himself, Pop Quiz, BBC, 1981.

Himself, Aspel & Company, Independent Television (England), 1986.

Himself, "Paul Nicholas," This Is Your Life, Independent Television (England), 1991.

Himself, Guest Night (also known as Bruce's "Guest Night"), BBC, 1992.

Martin Stockton, "Love You Madly," Doctors, BBC, 2000.

Doctor, "169," The Bill, Independent Television (England), 2003.

Himself, Breakfast, BBC, 2003.

Himself, Today with Des and Mel, Independent Television (England), 2003.

Himself, The Wright Stuff, Channel 5 (England), 2003.

Himself, Loose Women, Independent Television (England), 2004, 2006, 2008.

(In archive footage) Himself, "Song and Dance," The Best of the Royal Variety, Independent Television (England), 2006.

Rob Logan, "Flight of the Bumblebee," Holby City (also known as Holby), BBC, 2006.

Sven Larson, "Dead Men Do Tell Tales," Heartbeat (also known as Classic Heartbeat), Independent Television (England), 2006.

Terry, "Half Empty," Doctors, BBC, 2006.

Himself, "Just Good Friends," Comedy Connections, BBC, 2007.

Himself, "That's What I Call Christmas Television," That's What I Call Television, Independent Television (England), 2007.

Himself, The Sunday Programme, [Great Britain], 2007.

Also provided a voice for Animaniacs (animated; also known as Animania and Steven Spielberg Presents "Animaniacs "), The WB.

Television Appearances; Other:

Appeared in The Boy from Ipanema, Associated Television.

Television Work; Series:

Producer, Grease: You're the One that I Want!, NBC, beginning 2006.

Acting coach, Grease Is the Word, Independent Television (England), beginning 2007.

Radio Appearances:

Presenter, Cat's Whiskers (series), BBC Radio Four, 1990.

Presenter, Mad about Musicals (series), BBC Radio Two, c. 1996.

Voice of King Arthur, Camelot (musical), BBC Radio Two, c. 1998.

RECORDINGS

Solo Albums:

Paul Nicholas, RSO, 1977.

Just Good Friends, K-Tel, 1986.

That's Entertainment, Spectrum, 1993.

Colours of My Life, First Night Records, 1994.

Cast Albums; with Others:

Hair (original London cast), Polydor, 1968.

Hair Rave-Up (original London cast), Astor, 1968.

Fresh Hair (original London cast), Polydor, 1968.

Jesus Christ Superstar (original London cast), MCA, 1972.

Tommy (film soundtrack), Polydor, 1975.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (film soundtrack), RSO, 1978.

Cats 1981 original London cast), Polydor, 1981.

Highlights from Cats (highlights from the 1981 original London cast; also known as Cats), PolyGram, 1981.

Blondel (original London cast), MCA, 1983.

Charlie Girl 1986 London revival cast), First Night Records, 1986.

Jesus Christ Superstar (also known as Jesus Christ Superstar: The 20th Anniversary London Cast Recording), RCA Victor Broadway, 1992.

Highlights from Jesus Christ Superstar (also known as Highlights from Jesus Christ Superstar: The 20th Anniversary London Cast Recording), RCA, 1992.

Hey, Mr. Producer! (also known as Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh), Philips, 1998.

Albums; with Others; Various Artists:

The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: Ovation, K-Tel, 1985.

Another Op'nin', Another Show, First Night Records, 1988.

The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (also known as Andrew Lloyd Webber Songbook), 1988.

The Premiere Collection: The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber, 1988.

Any Dream with Do: The Best of Tim Rice, MCA, 1994.

Love at the Theatre, Pure, 1994.

Tim Rice Collection: Stage and Screen Classics, Rhino, 1996.

The Greatest Hits of the Musicals, 1998.

Magic of the Musicals, Marks & Spencer, 1998.

Andrew Lloyd Webber: Now and Forever, Decca, 2001.

Appeared in other recordings.

Singles:

"She Can Build a Mountain"/"A Day Gone By," 1964, 1966.

"You Don't Own Me"/"Hole in the Head," 1965.

"Club of Lights"/"Waking Up," 1966.

"Join My Gang"/"A Day Gone By," 1966.

"Holiday"/"Give Her All She Wants," 1967.

"Over the Wall We Go"/"Every Day of My Life," 1967.

"Open Up the Skies"/"Wild Ones," 1968.

"Where Do I Go"/"Here Comes the Clown," 1968.

"Who Can I Turn to"/"Sing a Sad Song for Sammy," 1969.

"Freedom City"/"Run Shaker Life," 1970.

"Lamp Lighter"/"The Word Is Beautiful," 1971.

"D J Saturday Night"/"Lovely Lady," 1974.

"I Hit the Jackpot"/"Falling in Love with You," 1974.

"Shuffling Tune"/"Hit Song," 1975.

"Dancing with the Captain"/"Freedom City," 1976.

"Grandma's Party"/"Flat Foot Floyd," 1976.

"Reggae Like It Used to Be"/"Lamp Lighter," 1976.

"Doing It"/"Only for a Minute," 1977.

"Heaven on the 7th Floor"/"Do You Want My Love," RSO, 1977.

"If You Were the Only Girl in the World"/"Only for a Minute," 1977.

"On the Strip"/"Beauty Queen," 1978.

"Two Up, Two Down"/"Dancing in the Moonlight," 1979.

"Yesterday's Heroes"/"Shooting Star," 1979.

"Magician Mr. Mistoffelees"/"Old Deuteronomy," 1980.

"House of Rock"/"Theme from House of Rock," 1981.

"No News"/"American Woman," 1981.

"Least of My Troubles"/"Running Back for More," 1983.

"Just Good Friends"/"Don't Wanna Go Home Alone," 1984.

Some sources cite additional singles.

Videos:

Blondel, "The Least of My Troubles," Lyrics by Tim Rice (also known as The Lyrics of Tim Rice), Kultur, 1985.

(Uncredited; in archive footage) Cousin Kevin, The Who's "Tommy," the Amazing Journey, Buena Vista Home Video, 1993.

Hey, Mr. Producer! (also known as Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh), Sony Pictures, 1998.

WRITINGS

Writings for the Stage:

(Author of book with Nan Knighton, Arlene Phillips, and Robert Stigwood) Saturday Night Fever (musical based on the film), Palladium, London, beginning 1998, Minskoff Theatre, New York City, 1999-2000.

Film Music; Songs:

(With Christopher Neil) "Private Eye," Adventures of a Private Eye (also known as Adventures of a Private Dick), Danton Films, 1977.

Nonfiction:

Behind the Smile (autobiography), Andre Deutsch, 1999.

About this article

Nicholas, Paul 1945-

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