betty white 1954 arthur duncan

After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. 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. After appearing as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his \"musical family.\"The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers.In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual \"Tap Extravaganza\" in New York City.In 2006, Duncan was honored for his contributions to tap dance at the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival.In 2017, Duncan appeared on the series premiere episode of the reality talent series Little Big Shots: Forever Young, where he performed a dance and reunited with actress Betty White.In 2018, Duncan made an appearance on The Talk as part of a surprise for co-host Sheryl Underwood who performed a tap dance routine with Savion Glover as part of the show's New Year's Evolution. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. 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. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. (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: [] }; She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. 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. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. A colleague. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) Betty White: . "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. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . ABOUT 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. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. 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. . "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' 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. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Rest well, Betty. NBC first aired in 1954. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 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. "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.". Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Subscribe to Newsletter env: 'prod', As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. 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 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. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) She also told her critics to "live with it.". She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. page_type: 'article', 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. The show was the first big break for Duncan, then in his early 20s, he said in the 2018 documentary "Betty White, First Lady of Television.". Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. Stay up to date with what you want to know. This was in 1954. 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. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. . And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. "I'm sorry. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. You never call. Unfortunately, the show was canceled the same year, though its hard to say whether it was a direct result of the outcry or if interest was waning in general. 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. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. 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. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. cat: 'entertainment', So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. As the world mourns actress and comedienneBetty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are discovering or being reminded of the way she broke TV barriers with tap dancerArthur Duncan. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. SistersInc. }); !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); 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. 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. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. 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 . Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. "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. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . 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. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. }); EVENTS The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. She also starred in and produced The Betty. 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. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. Her response: "I'm sorry. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', . ]); Privacy Policy [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. 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. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Some facts about Betty White . 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. 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. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. 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. You never call. Betty White In Person (1987). The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. 1956) . There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur 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. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. 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 was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 4. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. 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 comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. It has since been updated. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. 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 paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Duncan credits White for starting his career. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. B.E. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. 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. 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. He said it was White who gave him his break. . Getty Images. ]); ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. 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. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. 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. 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. You never call. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. She is older than Mickey Mouse. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. 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. A movie event planned prior to her death to . Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her show because he was Black A file photo of Betty White. 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. She even had a regular childrens segment. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. Her show was canceled soon after. 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.. Background [ edit] 1 of 2. 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. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . } Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. 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. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!"

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