She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. } Betty White served as both host and producer. White made a career playing sweet characters with hidden and hilarious grit, and that quality goes all the way back to her first televised variety show, where, as the host and producer, she defied racist demands to get rid of Duncan because he was Black. After appearing as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his \"musical family.\"The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers.In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual \"Tap Extravaganza\" in New York City.In 2006, Duncan was honored for his contributions to tap dance at the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival.In 2017, Duncan appeared on the series premiere episode of the reality talent series Little Big Shots: Forever Young, where he performed a dance and reunited with actress Betty White.In 2018, Duncan made an appearance on The Talk as part of a surprise for co-host Sheryl Underwood who performed a tap dance routine with Savion Glover as part of the show's New Year's Evolution. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. The first TV show I had ever been on, and I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television, he said. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. Randy Shropshire/Getty ImagesFrom left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of Tap World in Los Angeles, California, in 2015. Arthur Chester Duncan (September 25, 1925 - January 4, 2023) was an American tap dancer, also called an "Entertainer's Entertainer," known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982. "I'm. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. You never ask me out.. "I did something a little. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at Reelblack@mail.com and info@reelblack.com with details and it will be promptly removed. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. pos: 'right_rail_1', Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. White was briefly married to U.S. army pilot Dick Barker in 1945.Two years later, White wed Hollywood agent Lane Allen, whom she divorced in 1949. You never call. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. 1 of 2. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. (Video: Reuters). One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. The show was canceled soon after. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . He is a Black Tap Dancer. When encouraged to take Arthur Duncan off the air, White, then in her 30s, said: "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," per the Post. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. 1937) Elwood . Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. There's no knowing if her putting her foot down on Duncan staying on had any role in the show being repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before eventually being taken off the air that same year. It's been claimed that Duncan's fixed role on "The Betty White Show" as a singer and dancer meant he was the first Black American to have a regular appearance on a TV variety show. . Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. She had helped secure his first television job on her variety show 'The Betty White Show' and wasn't going to give in to the mob even if there was considerable opposition to it. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. Betty White Reunited With Tap Dancer Whose Career She Launched - Yahoo! Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Tell us what you think! Betty White, 99, gives health update in rare interview after fans fear Shed been a progressive since day one, and its because of people like her that we were able to delegitimize hateful sentiments that had dominated the country in those years. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. This soon led to the show's cancellation. Arthur Duncan. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', In a 2018 documentary honoring Bettys illustrious career, Arthur said, I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television. Betty herself wasnt blind to the outrage, but she wouldnt let the commotion, or as she said, the ruckus sway her in the least. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. She even had a regular childrens segment. ). Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. You never ask me out.. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. 'She Truly Was an Original': Stars Remember Betty White - Rolling Stone If Betty White was able to extend so much love and admiration to everyone shed come across over the years, anyone can do the same. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. There was even a regular childrens segment. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . cat: 'entertainment', When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', One particular way in which Ms. White refused to bow to systemic racism was by insisting Arthur Duncan, a Black dancer, remain on her 1950s show, The Betty White Show.. Entrepreneurs Summit Privacy Policy Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White shows why Betty White is 'the First The Betty White Show (1952 TV series) - Wikipedia Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. "I'm ready to go now," he said. Betty White was one of a kind, and no incident highlights that better than her refusing to give in to demands for a Black dancer to be removed from her show in the 50s. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. She also told her critics to "live with it.". In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. The almost-centenarian was an icon in every sense of the word: with a career spanning eighty years, she marked a turning point for women in entertainment. cat: 'entertainment', Betty White In Person (1987). She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. Additionally, she didnt understand how some people could be anti-something. She was a proponent of minding her business, standing up for the oppressed, and carving her unique place in the culture through entertainment. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. Arthur Duncan - Wikipedia When Bea Arthur left The Golden . And it was never a question at all," he recalled. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. Subscribe to Newsletter In the early 1950s, White faced criticism for featuring Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer and singer, on a few episodes of her variety talk show The Betty White Show.. page_type: 'article', Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. I am one bad ass bitch. He said it was White who gave him his break. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Television was still a new medium, but White was already a veteran performer of stage and radio, had acted on a sitcom and had co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. At one point, the network threatened to take her off the air for having a Black man repeatedly appear on the show, but she wouldnt budge. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. With Betty White's passing at the age of 99, this internet meme about White refusing to ban Arthur Duncan, an African American dancer, from the cast of her television variety show in 1954, is getting wide circulation. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. I was on the show, and they had some letters out of Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there, the then-83-year-old said. Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television Twitter shares stories about how Betty White was amazing | EW.com - Yahoo! She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com . Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career FLASHBACK: Lawrence Welk star Arthur Duncan credits Betty White for his White . Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. He told her, I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over. And without missing a beat, Betty replied, Oh, I hope so. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . . Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Championed by Betty White at the start of his career, he became one of the first Black regulars on a TV variety show. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. How Gabriel Prosser Planned What Would Have Been The Largest Slave Rebellion In American History, Meet The Ken And Barbie Killers: Paul Bernardo And Karla Homolka, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. A movie event planned prior to her death to . B.E. This was in 1954. } By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. You never call. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. But this story is true. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. aid: '769722', Stars Betty White George Tibbles Dick Cathcart See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 2 User reviews Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total Arthur Duncan, a gifted dancer whose appearance on one of Betty White's early TV shows prompted a showdown between southern censors and White, died January 4. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny In the documentary, White described that all through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur because he was Black., Added Duncan: People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. White explained the controversy in the documentary, "All through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didn't get rid of Arthur because he was Black," said White. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". Born in Pasadena, California, Duncan entered show business at age 13, when he was a member of a dance quartet that performed at McKinley Junior High School in Pasadena, California. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Arthur Duncan, Barrier-Breaking Tap Dancer, Is Dead at 97 The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies Betty White Shaped the Rise of Television. It's a Legacy That - TODAY Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. Live. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. In the 1950s, representation on television was still a controversial subject, and the gatekeepers of the industry werent even keen on having women run shows. Arthur Duncan, Tap Dancer born - African American Registry Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. In 1957, Duncan joined Bob Hope's troupe touring U.S. military bases, making him the first African American to be part of that 100-member group. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. Women of Power Summit pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. . ]); Not one to waste an opportunity, White immediately set about hiring Duncan to dance on The Betty White Show, which aired on NBC in Los Angeles. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. Duncan performed alongside stars like actress Jayne Mansfield, singer Jerry Colonna, comedian Hedda Hopper, and the Les Brown orchestra in places like Pearl Harbor, Korea, Okinawa, and Guam. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. "In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show," The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center tweeted after her death. Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White's show was canceled shortly after receiving backlash for her refusal to cancel Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan. SistersInc. In 2017, Arthur Duncan was reunited with Betty White on Little Big Shots: Forever Young (pictured above) and later in 2018, contributed to PBSs Betty White: First Lady of Television documentary film. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Screening event for Betty White's 100th birthday will go on Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Betty White dead: 'SNL,' Robert Redford, Anderson Cooper mourn - USA TODAY A tap dancer with remarkable skill, Arthur Duncan was the first African American to be hired as a series regular on the variety shows of early television. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. He soon moved on to The Lawrence Welk Show in 1964, where he was introduced every week until 1982 as the man whos keeping tap dancing alive.. . In a heartening example of life coming full circle, 55-year-old Arthur Duncan was still tap-dancing when the son of his former mentor approached him with a project. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. About } Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. At a time when racial segregation was at boiling point, there were strong calls from different quarters to remove a tap dancer named Arthur Duncan from her show. . Her response: "I'm sorry. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . Betty White, whose more than 80-year career included Emmy-winning roles on sitcoms "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," died on Dec. 31. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. "The first TV show I had ever been on, and I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television," he said. After initially becoming a ratings success, a controversy surrounding Arthur Duncan and repeated scheduling changes resulted in The Betty White Shows quiet cancellation by NBC who did not renew the show for more episodes according to WFMU. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. aid: '769722', Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. After being born in Pasadena, California in September 1933, Arthur Duncan took his first steps in the performing world at the age of just 13 and after a brief spell studying pharmacy, returned to the world of showbusiness in his early 20s. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954).

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