The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. "I'm sorry. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. On moral courage and sacrificing privilege: When Betty White stood for It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. 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. 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. 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. 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. If Betty White was able to extend so much love and admiration to everyone shed come across over the years, anyone can do the same. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . Randy Shropshire/Getty ImagesFrom left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of Tap World in Los Angeles, California, in 2015. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Getty Images. pos: 'right_rail_3', 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. targeting: { There was even a regular childrens segment. You never call, responded White. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. Betty White Made History With Arthur Duncan, He Did It Twice More Live. 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. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. tude.cmd.push(function() { subcat: '', You never call. When Betty White Refused to Bow to Racists Over Dancer Arthur 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan White . 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. 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. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. Fans mourn Betty White on social media - ajc 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Betty White served as both host and producer. 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! div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. 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. Wish Day | The Betty White Show (1954) Ft. Arthur Duncan ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', From left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of, Arthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys, how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner, the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises 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. Arthur Duncan From 'Lawrence Welk' Thanks Betty White For His Career The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. You never ask me out.. 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.. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. Arthur Duncan. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Betty White was one of a kind, and no incident highlights that better than her refusing to give in to demands for a Black dancer to be removed from her show in the 50s. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. Arthur said, 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. subcat: '', Sign up for notifications from Insider! He was 97. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. 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 . 0. 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. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. 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. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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 pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. National Treasure Betty White Has Died at the Age of 99 - Vulture }); EVENTS Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. . 'He stays': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer from her show in Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. A colleague. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. This was in 1954. targeting: { When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. 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. Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. You never call. 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. "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. FLASHBACK: Lawrence Welk star Arthur Duncan credits Betty White for his ). Now she wants restitution. 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. 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 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. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. He told her, I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over. And without missing a beat, Betty replied, Oh, I hope so. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. 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. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Her response: "I'm sorry. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. At 99 Years Old Betty White Lives In A Luxurious California Mansion In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. 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, to put it simply, is a national. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. He was a 13-year-old student when he joined the dance quartet at McKinley Junior High School and began studying under renowned choreographer Nick Castle. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Twitter }); !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); So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Masthead, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. Management Betty White - Wikipedia She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; After being born in Pasadena, California in September 1933, Arthur Duncan took his first steps in the performing world at the age of just 13 and after a brief spell studying pharmacy, returned to the world of showbusiness in his early 20s. She is older than Mickey Mouse. 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. 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. 1 of 2. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. Jan 1, 2022. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. 1937) Elwood . Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. 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? Betty White: 8 Fascinating Things To Know About Her Life And Work This material may not be reproduced without permission. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. BE 100s In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. 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. 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. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White 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. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. 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. Be like Betty White. 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. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. She also starred in and produced The Betty. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. Not one to waste an opportunity, White immediately set about hiring Duncan to dance on The Betty White Show, which aired on NBC in Los Angeles. Betty White: . *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. (Video: Reuters). When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. Women of Power Summit After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. env: 'prod', Oborfacts What can i say? Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . 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. 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. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. Have something to tell us about this article? Betty White, 99, gives health update in rare interview after fans fear We wouldnt have been the same. A pioneer of early television with a career spanning almost seven decades, she was noted for her vast body of work in entertainment and for being one of the first women to work both in front of and behind the camera. He said it was White who gave him his break. She also told her critics to "live with it.". Nick Castle Jr. had become a director and asked Duncan to dance his 1989 film Tap, starring Sammy Davis Jr. Duncan obliged, but his accolades didnt end there. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Betty White dead updates - Cause of death for Hollywood legend revealed divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', And it was never a question at all," he recalled. 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. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. ', 'What could be better than show business? "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. page_type: 'article', kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? 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. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. Entrepreneurs Summit 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.. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. aid: '769722', One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. . aid: '769722', It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. pos: 'right_rail_1', Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. 1. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" How Betty White Lost Her Show After Standing Up To Racist Bullies I am one bad ass bitch. Some facts about Betty White . When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. 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. ]); Betty White's Comic Reversals | The New Yorker Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. CNN . Are you going to go house to house?. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 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