He said it was White who gave him his break. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. 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. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', aid: '769722', Registry of Corporate Directors. ]); So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. But this story is true. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. Betty White: . The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasn't universally popular at all. We wouldnt have been the same. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Now she wants restitution. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. You never call. premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young., Here are some of her greatest career moments, Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! You never ask me out.. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. White, a boundary-breaking television star by 1952, then became the first woman to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth, which she also starred in. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on TV, even though the color of his skin was a real problem for some people. 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 comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. env: 'prod', 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. 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 Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. 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. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Its unclear whether her decision to keep Duncan affected the shows fate, but it was repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before quietly being taken off the air that same year. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. } Betty White obituary | US television | The Guardian } 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. When Steve Harvey asked Arthur what it was like to see his old friend, he joked, Im ready to go now. But before God could take him, Arthur wanted to catch up with Betty first. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. This, along with his earlier inclusion (despite objections) on The Betty White Show in 1954 and with the help of White herself, made him the first African-American regular on a . 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. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; }); EVENTS The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. 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. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. Arthur Duncan - Biography - IMDb pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Betty White dead updates - Cause of death for Hollywood legend revealed Betty White dead: 'SNL,' Robert Redford, Anderson Cooper mourn - USA TODAY 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. Betty White kept Black dancer Arthur Duncan on show despite - Bossip Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Arthur Duncan was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on "The Betty White Show" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." Died: January 4, 2023 ( Who else died on January 4? In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer Listen to Betty White. She is older than Mickey Mouse. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', B.E. 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. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. Arthur Duncan - Wikipedia Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Getty Images. INFORMATION ', 'What could be better than show business? She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. subcat: '', He typically performed one solo routine per episode, scored by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, but also frequently danced with peers Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. 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, recalled Duncan. 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. R.I.P. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. 4. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. Arthur Duncan, whose exuberant tap dancing carried him from the streets of Pasadena to Betty White's variety shows in the 1950s as one of the first Black regulars performing on television,. Arthur said, 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. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080" }).render("8791f6495fab447280f16fc61516a837"); }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Betty White, 99, gives health update in rare interview after fans fear Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . cat: 'entertainment', Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Sign up for notifications from Insider! The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Twitter Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. There was even a regular childrens segment. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. cat: 'entertainment', Duncan gave Underwood flowers to congratulate her return to tap dancing.In 2020, Duncan was inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame of the American Tap Dance Foundation. You never ask me out," per People. 'He stays, live with it': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. "I did something a little. You never ask me out.. Entrepreneurs Summit In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Duncan's . Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. 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. 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.. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. BETTY White has updated fans on her health in rare interview after fans fear for the beloved Golden Girl ahead of 100th birthday.The actress, 99, crep . # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. 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. She even had a regular childrens segment. Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. Tap dancer Arthur Duncan was first introduced to national audiences by Betty White in 1954 before making history as the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. tude.cmd.push(function() { The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". 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. Screening event for Betty White's 100th birthday will go on 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. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. This soon led to the show's cancellation. ). At 99 Years Old Betty White Lives In A Luxurious California Mansion The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. cat: 'entertainment', At the time, she faced criticism for including African-American actor Arthur Duncan in the series, and refused to remove him from the show despite a loss in ratings. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. 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. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. 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. page_type: 'article', divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', as well as other partner offers and accept our. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. See when we celebrated Betty Whites 95th birthday with our 5 fave TV appearances: Steve Harveys Hilarious Version of Ray Charless Georgia on My Mind, 8-Year-Old Girl Tries to Take Steve Harveys Hosting Job, George Lopez Schools Steve Harvey During Celebrity Family Feud. "I'm sorry. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. 1937) Elwood . When asked why she was risking her livelihood to defend a Black man, she said, Im sorry, but he staysLive with it, as per People. 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. 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. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. Contact Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Throughout her life, she lent her support to myriad animal rights organizations, including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, The Morris Animal Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation, and Actors and Others for Animals. Betty White Photos: See 48 Photos of Hollywood's Golden Girl Through Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. I am one bad ass bitch. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. 0. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. Not only had she been one of the first women to helm her own show on television, but she also laid the groundwork for how women could assert their agency in a landscape that was still dismissive of their talent and power. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Pen Griffey Jr. on Twitter: "Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com BE 100s This was in 1954. When Harvey asked what Duncan thought about seeing White again, he jokedGod, I think I am ready to go now., Sports world reacts: Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Celebrities mourn loss: Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! This article was published more than1 year ago. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White shows why Betty White is 'the First Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. And there was Duncan. Supervising Producer, Yahoo Entertainment, Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of, It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. Betty White Made History With Arthur Duncan, He Did It Twice More url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. Duncan went on to become the first Black regular on a variety show when he was hired on 'The Lawrence Welk Show' and he continued on that show for another 20 years. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. FLASHBACK: Lawrence Welk star Arthur Duncan credits Betty White for his Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. But his first performance was more than enough for Southern racists to threaten NBC with a boycott if he continued to be part of the lineup. You never call. From left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of, Arthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys, how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner, the first African-American photographers and their portraits. And it only escalated after NBC rolled out the show nationally, with Southern viewers threatening to boycott the network if White didnt remove Duncan from the lineup. Sales Partnership Solutions Betty White served as both host and producer. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . And it was never a question at all.. When The Betty White Show was rolled out on TV channels across the US, many stations and viewers in southern US states threatened to boycott the show unless Arthur Duncan was removed owing to the segregation laws and attitudes towards race that were prevalent at the time. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. Primetime Emmy-dj a legjobb ni fszereplnek (vgjtksorozat) ]); Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. , Facing the threat of boycotts across the South, White famously said, Im sorry but he stays Live with it!. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. page_type: 'article', The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. . How Betty White Lost Her Show After Standing Up To Racist Bullies } In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny 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. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. pos: 'right_rail_1', And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes.
