Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. Betty imbued charm, wit, and sincerity at each and every turn, always ready to poke fun at herself and those around her, eager to uncover both the humanity in comedy and the comedy in humanity. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. This article was published more than1 year ago. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Privacy Policy He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. 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 dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Betty White Helped Launch Career of Black Tap Dancer in 1950s - Peoplemag div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. 1 of 2. He is a Black Tap Dancer. 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. 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 there was Duncan. Betty White's Comic Reversals | The New Yorker Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. 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. CNN . Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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. aid: '769722', There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. 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.. The Betty White Show (TV Series 1954- ) - IMDb (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, 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. 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. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. . Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Arthur said, "She . 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. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. He Was Fatally Beaten by Memphis Police Now People Around the World Are Sharing #SunsetsForTyre in His Honor, 41 Daughter Quotes That Will Touch and Melt Your Heart, The Empowering Truth Behind John Cena and Dwayne The Rock Johnsons Feud, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally Have a Few Things to Say About 20 Years of Marriage and We Should Listen, How the Boy From the Success Kid Meme Helped Raise Over $100,000 to Save His Dads Life, Actress Goes to Pick Up Her Car From Valet Parking Finds an Insulting Note on the Ticket That Mortifies Her, Strangers Spring Into Action to Save a Driver in Crisis on a Busy Road [VIDEO], 8-Year-Old Finds Out His Favorite Waffle House Waiter Is Hiding a Secret Doesnt Hesitate to Raise $64,000 for Him, White Woman Refuses to Listen to Dad After He Forbid Her From Marrying a Black Man 60 Years Later, Theyre Still Together. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. 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, 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. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . About Twitter shares stories about how Betty White was amazing | EW.com - Yahoo! 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. ', 'What could be better than show business? The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. tude.cmd.push(function() { 4. The Powerful Story Behind Betty White's Refusal to Remove a Black It has since been updated. National Treasure Betty White Has Died at the Age of 99 - Vulture According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { page_type: 'article', Duncan credits White for starting his career. targeting: { Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. subcat: '', The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. I am one bad ass bitch. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. 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. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. This was in 1954. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And Duncan had not only managed to build a professional career out of his art but had become so renowned that Francis Ford Coppola cast him in The Cotton Club in 1984. } Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White Show (1954) | Tap Dance Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Oborfacts What can i say? 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.. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. (Video: Reuters). Her response: "I'm sorry. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Twitter After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. 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. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. targeting: { The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. You never ask me out." divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', The Betty White Show (1952 TV series) - Wikipedia 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia "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," said Duncan during an episode of 'Steve Harvey's Little Big Shots: Forever Young' in 2017. aid: '769722', Betty White insisted on Black dancer for her 1950s show 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. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. We wouldnt have been the same. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Stay up to date with what you want to know. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. targeting: { This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. Entrepreneurs Summit 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. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. 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. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. pos: 'right_rail_2', ]); baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. She hired a Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, for "The Betty White Show" in 1954, a full three years before the first federal civil-rights legislation since Reconstruction was passed,. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. INFORMATION Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. 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, Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2018 ahead of a surprise TV reunion with White. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. 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 . 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, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . 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. 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. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. tude.cmd.push(function() { However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. 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. 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. That solved everything at the time.. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. Betty White, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland Star, Dead at 99 During the Little Big Shots episode, Harvey surprised Duncan by bringing White on the show to catch up with her old. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. as well as other partner offers and accept our. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. You never call, responded White. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com 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. 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. The show. 1. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc.