Richard Franklin Nichols, a renowned figure in the film industry, was born in the vibrant city of Hollywood, California. His journey in movies began when he was just six months old and continued until he was around 12 years of age.
As the youngest of seven siblings, many of whom also worked in the entertainment industry, Richard's family was steeped in the world of cinema. His older brothers, in particular, made significant contributions to the "Our Gang" comedies and the "East Side Kids" series. Both Ray Nichols and Paul Nichols appeared alongside Spencer Tracy in the iconic film "Boys Town" (1938),while Eddie Nichols had a role in the 1945 movie "Incendiary Blonde". Additionally, Betty Jean Nichols played a part in the 1945 film "The Bells of St. Mary's".
Richard's earliest screen appearance was as an infant in the 1936 film "Don't Turn 'em Loose", followed by small roles in "The Blue Bird" (1940) and "Swing, You Swingers!" (1939). The Nichols family's acting talents were showcased in the 1940 film "Vigil in the Night", where four of the siblings played the roles of four siblings in a home. Richard and his sister, Betty, also had small parts in the 1943 film "Hitler's Madman", and he went on to make numerous appearances as a child actor.
After his early years in the spotlight, Richard attended several schools, including the Hollywood Professional School (1st Grade),Vine Street Elementary, Bancroft Junior High, and Hollywood High School. Later in life, he retired to the South and spent 44 years as a minister. His wife, from Mississippi, and he had two daughters and seven grandchildren.
