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 . You never call. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. He was 97. 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. She even had a regular childrens segment. "I did something a little. Have something to tell us about this article? The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. 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. You never ask me out.. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. ', 'What could be better than show business? . It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. . Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', page_type: 'article', There was even a regular childrens segment. 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.. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com, In the 1950s, Betty White was criticized for having Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her variety talk show, The Betty White Show., Image Via Film screenshot/Wikimedia Commons. You never ask me out.. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. targeting: { Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. subcat: '', In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. 1. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. pos: 'right_rail_2', # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. 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. 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. 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. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. It was the first award in an entirely new category. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Are you going to go house to house?. 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. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Management Her response: "I'm sorry. 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. Her response: "I'm sorry. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. targeting: { Women of Power Summit Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. (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: [] }; The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. 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. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Although The Betty White Show was cancelled within a year due to low ratings due to NBC constantly changing its time slot, Arthur Duncans newfound national exposure led to invaluable new opportunities. ]); 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. Contact Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; "I'm sorry. Betty White In Person (1987). Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. . From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . } In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show.Betty responded with Im sorry. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. 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. page_type: 'article', The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. 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. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. 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. 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. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. His reply to her that they would be performing at local hospitals and orphanages was as wholesome as the beloved actress and entertainer, who died this week at 99. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. 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. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. 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. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. They were going to take our show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur, because he was Black., People in the South resented me being on the show, and they wanted me thrown out, Duncan agreed. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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 Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. . Betty White served as both host and producer. She didnt have an idea of the extent to which it would enrage her market, yet the collective furor didnt crush her spirit or change her mind. Betty White: . He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. pos: 'right_rail_3', White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. 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. Some facts about Betty White . It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. You never call. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . She also told her critics to "live with it.". Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Live with . Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. 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! Her show was cancelled afterwards. 1 of 2. 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 said she wasn't going to budge: Evidently through the South at that point it was a very heavy [thing], and I said, Im sorry, but he stays [] Live with it! White said. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. B.E. 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. 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. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". 4. I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. "Los Angeles was more accessible." SistersInc. 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. Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. subcat: '', 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. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Listen to Betty White. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. cat: 'entertainment', She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. 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. 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. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. 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. 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.
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