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. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. tude.cmd.push(function() { This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. He is a Black Tap Dancer. "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. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. 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. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. 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'. Background [ edit] Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. pos: 'right_rail_1', url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Her response: "I'm sorry. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 1937) Elwood . When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. Sign up for notifications from Insider! 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. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 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. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. Subscribe to Newsletter After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. targeting: { Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. cat: 'entertainment', Duncan was already a regular on the show which featured performances by White and others, interviews, skits and even a kids segment before it was added to NBCs national lineup in 1954. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. 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.. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. And it was never a question at all.. 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. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Her show was cancelled afterwards. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. Rest well, Betty. 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. You never call. targeting: { 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. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. 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. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. She even had a regular childrens segment. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. If White, 99, had it her way, she would have remained at her longtime marital home in Carmel, which she first built with her late husband, Allen Ludden, when they bought the land in 1978. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. Duncan's . So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. 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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. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. You never call. pos: 'right_rail_2', Watch The Betty White Show (November 29th, 1954) 1 Video 3 Photos Family Music Talk-Show Daytime show with Betty White talking to guests, singing with the orchestra, etc. 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. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. Still, as the only Black cast member, the show also posed a unique risk to Duncan, according to dance historian Constance Valis Hill: In an era in which blacks and whites did not even hold hands, let alone kiss each other on nationally broadcast television programs, Duncan was often seen standing in the background, trying very hard not to look like he was with any of the women on the program.. This was in 1954. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. 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. (Video: Reuters). . Arthur said, "She . In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', And it was never a question at all," he recalled. 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. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. 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. 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. White . 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. She also told her critics to "live with it.". Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". He was 97. 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. 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. CNN . 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Whats more intriguing is that this wasnt Bettys sole act of defiance within the show; she interviewed a Black child on the special when it was considered controversial to do so. env: 'prod', } . There was even a regular childrens segment. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. 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. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. 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. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Her response: "I'm sorry. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', White continued to resist the pressurecoming from stations in the South and used Duncanmore, until the show was canceled in 1954 the same year segregationin public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. That solved everything at the time.. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. env: 'prod', Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. 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. 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 world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. Duncan credits White for starting his career. 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. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. 0. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. 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. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. ). You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. . 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. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; cat: 'entertainment', Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. targeting: { Registry of Corporate Directors. } divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. 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. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. You never ask me out.. Her show was canceled soon after. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', But this story is true. 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.
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