Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. 'He stays': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer from her show in subcat: '', Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. "I'm. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. 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. 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Arthur Duncan on The Betty White Show (1954) | Tap Dance Contact "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. Oborfacts What can i say? On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. Jan 1, 2022. pos: 'right_rail_2', Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. 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. 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.". } In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. 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. 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. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. 1. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. tude.cmd.push(function() { Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. page_type: 'article', tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', This article was published more than1 year ago. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. And it was never a question at all.. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer aid: '769722', As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. 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. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. } In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. Wish Day | The Betty White Show (1954) Ft. Arthur Duncan The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. The Powerful Story Behind Betty White's Refusal to Remove a Black Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. Live with . When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. She also starred in and produced The Betty. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. } A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. He is a Black Tap Dancer. Arthur Duncan From 'Lawrence Welk' Thanks Betty White For His Career It's been claimed that Duncan's fixed role on "The Betty White Show" as a singer and dancer meant he was the first Black American to have a regular appearance on a TV variety show. At 99 Years Old Betty White Lives In A Luxurious California Mansion 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! page_type: 'article', But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? ', 'What could be better than show business? The show was canceled soon after. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. Betty White Reunited With Tap Dancer Whose Career She Launched - Yahoo! A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. . Today, many of us dont even comprehend the power she wielded, the significance she carried as the foremost Golden Girl of our zeitgeist, or how she unshakably fought to bring justice and diversity to our screens. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. ]); 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. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. 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. 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. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. 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. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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 . Live. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. 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. A colleague. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. White died on Friday, just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, news that prompted a look back on a career that included advocacy on many fronts. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. tude.cmd.push(function() { subcat: '', Now she wants restitution. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. pos: 'right_rail_1', Arthur said, "She . NBC first aired in 1954. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. 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. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. cat: 'entertainment', After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. subcat: '', Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. }); EVENTS 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. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. But this story is true. He said it was White who gave him his break. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. . However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. 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. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. 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. aid: '769722', Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. 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. It was the first award in an entirely new category. 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.. 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 Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. targeting: { 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { ). This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', env: 'prod', The Betty White Show (1952 TV series) - Wikipedia 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 Betty White spent final days in home she didn't want to live in But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Registry of Corporate Directors. 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. Betty White Helped Launch Career of Black Tap Dancer in 1950s - Peoplemag 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. 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. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Entrepreneurs Summit 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. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. 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. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Her response: "I'm sorry. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. When Harvey asked what Duncan thought about seeing White again, he jokedGod, I think I am ready to go now., Sports world reacts: Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Celebrities mourn loss: Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. 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. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. A movie event planned prior to her death to . So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. "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.". Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. page_type: 'article', 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. "I'm ready to go now," he said. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Arthur Duncan, whose exuberant tap dancing carried him from the streets of Pasadena to Betty White's variety shows in the 1950s as one of the first Black regulars performing on television,. 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. Betty White's Comic Reversals | The New Yorker Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', "I did something a little. 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? 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's . 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. 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. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. BETTY White has updated fans on her health in rare interview after fans fear for the beloved Golden Girl ahead of 100th birthday.The actress, 99, crep . Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan