I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. 'He stays, live with it': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. 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. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. , Facing the threat of boycotts across the South, White famously said, Im sorry but he stays Live with it!. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. 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. 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! Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. } 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. Betty White kept Black dancer Arthur Duncan on show despite - Bossip div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan 1. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Although The Betty White Show was cancelled within a year due to low ratings due to NBC constantly changing its time slot, Arthur Duncans newfound national exposure led to invaluable new opportunities. 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. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. 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. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Betty White Made History With Arthur Duncan, He Did It Twice More Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. 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. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . 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. 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. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. He was 97. Be like Betty White. Rest well, Betty. On moral courage and sacrificing privilege: When Betty White stood for Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. 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. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny You never ask me out.. 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. 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. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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.. 'She Truly Was an Original': Stars Remember Betty White - Rolling Stone } "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes - House Beautiful targeting: { 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. The Betty White Show (TV Series 1954- ) - IMDb Listen to Betty White. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. 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. Screening event for Betty White's 100th birthday will go on Women of Power Summit 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. pos: 'right_rail_3', "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Background [ edit] Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. }); !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); 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. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. 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. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. Live with . Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . And it was never a question at all," he recalled. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Primetime Emmy-dj a legjobb ni fszereplnek (vgjtksorozat) According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. "Los Angeles was more accessible." url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. 65 Backyard . Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. 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? Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', (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: [] }; This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. 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! "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. ]); Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on 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. Betty White insisted on Black dancer for her 1950s show } However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. 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. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. "I'm. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. "I'm ready to go now," he said. Betty White, veteran actress who starred in The Golden Girls, dies as well as other partner offers and accept our. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. Arthur Duncan From 'Lawrence Welk' Thanks Betty White For His Career It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. The almost-centenarian was an icon in every sense of the word: with a career spanning eighty years, she marked a turning point for women in entertainment. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Shed been a progressive since day one, and its because of people like her that we were able to delegitimize hateful sentiments that had dominated the country in those years. Wish Day | The Betty White Show (1954) Ft. Arthur Duncan 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. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it." The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. 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. This soon led to the show's cancellation. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Getty Images. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', CNN . Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . 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. Are you going to go house to house?. Arthur Duncan - Biography - IMDb Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" A staff writer for All Thats Interesting, Marco Margaritoff has also published work at outlets including People, VICE, and Complex, covering everything from film to finance to technology. 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She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. 0. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. cat: 'entertainment', env: 'prod', A movie event planned prior to her death to . Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. 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 a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. page_type: 'article', . Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. (Video: Reuters). Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. ', 'What could be better than show business? With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. With Betty White's passing at the age of 99, this internet meme about White refusing to ban Arthur Duncan, an African American dancer, from the cast of her television variety show in 1954, is getting wide circulation. Betty White refused to remove Black dancer on her show in 1954 - USA TODAY By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. We wouldnt have been the same. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. In a heartening example of life coming full circle, 55-year-old Arthur Duncan was still tap-dancing when the son of his former mentor approached him with a project. Duncan's . The Powerful Story Behind Betty White's Refusal to Remove a Black 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. 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. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. 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, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Twitter Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Live. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Arthur Duncan, Barrier-Breaking Tap Dancer, Is Dead at 97 Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' Betty White defied racist demands with her 1954 variety show - The 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. cat: 'entertainment', url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. 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. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer The show. 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. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. 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. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com B.E. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. You never ask me out." You never call, responded 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, Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2018 ahead of a surprise TV reunion with White. Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. 1956) . aid: '769722', 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. 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.. Now she wants restitution. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. 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 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.". People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. She even had a regular childrens segment. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. 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. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . Pen Griffey Jr. on Twitter: "Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. White . Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. tude.cmd.push(function() { The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. 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. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She is older than Mickey Mouse. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', BE 100s Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. "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.
betty white 1954 arthur duncan