"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. 29K views 1 year ago Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which, along with his. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. SistersInc. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. This material may not be reproduced without permission. 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. And it was never a question at all.. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. White . Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. A staff writer for All Thats Interesting, Marco Margaritoff has also published work at outlets including People, VICE, and Complex, covering everything from film to finance to technology. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. aid: '769722', As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. In the 1950s, Betty White was criticized for having Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her variety talk show, "The Betty White Show." Rating: True About this rating Betty White, also. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', A pioneer of early television with a career spanning almost seven decades, she was noted for her vast body of work in entertainment and for being one of the first women to work both in front of and behind the camera. "I was on the show and they had letters from Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there," Duncan recalled said in a 2017 interview onSteve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. } "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. "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. page_type: 'article', According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. 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. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. subcat: '', Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). 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. Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6442 Arthur Duncan and Betty White, reunited by Steve Harvey As the world mourns actress and comedienne Betty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. 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. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. 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. 2. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. Duncan went on to have alustrouscareer inshow business and gained fame for being the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show,according to The Library of Congress. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. You never ask me out." cat: 'entertainment', 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 Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. on her eponymous talk 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. page_type: 'article', 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. See, back in 1954 Betty White served as the host and producer of The Betty White Show, a comedic variety show that was geared toward families and entertainment. She also told her critics to "live with it.". And there was Duncan. pos: 'right_rail_2', But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. You never ask me out.. You never call. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. } Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. According to the 2020 book Betty White on TV, the show failed to attract sponsors and was cancelled on Dec. 31, 1954 despite a desperate plea by White to NBC execs. Oborfacts What can i say? div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. Black Men XCEL ). Privacy Policy White had already spent years trying to break into film and TV and eventually managed to become a co-host of the Hollywood on Film talk show in 1949 and left only to launch her own company. Now she wants restitution. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. Following his breakthrough performances on variety shows, Arthur Duncan was invited to be part of Bob Hopes troupe of performers to tour US military bases and was the first African-American to do so. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. There was even a regular childrens segment. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. 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. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which, along with his earlier inclusion (despite Southern objections) on the 1954 Betty White Show, made him the first African-American regular on variety television programs.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.He later entered Pasadena City College to study pharmacy, but left to pursue a career in show business, touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and The Betty White Show. 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!. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. ]); Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. That solved everything at the time.. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. 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. 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. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. 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. 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. 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. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . Live. Duncan credits White for starting his career. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. 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. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. . The show. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. Betty knew she wasnt some prominent politician or royalty she was merely a television actress but she was still extremely self-aware of her influence on the country. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. ]); Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. She also starred in and produced The Betty. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. When letters started coming from Mississippi and elsewhere demanding Arthurs removal, Betty simply wrote back saying, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. It wasnt a matter of finding a compromise or trying to understand the other sides perspective; she wanted to trust her gut and do the right thing, protest be damned. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { tude.cmd.push(function() { 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? env: 'prod', 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 He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. } After MLKs home was bombed, he refused to back down: This movement will not stop, The brave, forgotten Kansas lunch counter sit-in that helped change America, Sam Howell is the Commanders first-string QB for now, Nationals relievers see benefit in tinkering with new pitches, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. ', 'What could be better than show business? page_type: 'article', While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. 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. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. BE 100s 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. . Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. pos: 'right_rail_1', You never call, responded White. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it." The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. 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. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. 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. } She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. 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. Betty White In Person (1987). . as well as other partner offers and accept our. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. You never ask me out," per People. "Los Angeles was more accessible." Jan 1, 2022. Entrepreneurs Summit 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. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. "I'm sorry. The beloved actress was preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday with a big televised special that will still air despite her passing only a few weeks before the age . It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. 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. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. He is a Black Tap Dancer. Rest well, Betty. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. However, it was during an appearance on Steve Harveys show Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017 that Duncan felt truly blessed when Betty White surprised him onstage. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 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 . Her response: "I'm sorry. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. A movie event planned prior to her death to . Background [ edit] Arthur Duncan. 4. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. R.I.P. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. Her show was canceled soon after. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. }); EVENTS You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. pos: 'right_rail_3', 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. A colleague. 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. I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. This article was published more than1 year ago. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. ]); Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera.
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