[1] Nichols was awarded a scholarship for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a drama school in London, following World War II.

In 1949, Nichols made his film debut in I Was a Male War Bride, which was shot in West Germany.

[1] In 1950, soon after his deportation, Nichols met his future wife, Jennifer, at her 19th birthday beach party near Malibu, California.

[3] In the episode "Doc Holliday Rewrites History" of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Nichols played a traveling photographer and historian.

[4] Nichols returned to the United Kingdom around 1960, where he appeared in British and European film, television and theater productions.