"I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. Her response: "I'm sorry. Betty White, 99, gives health update in rare interview after fans fear But this story is true. 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. Tell us what you think! Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com 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. Background [ edit] Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. 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? Some facts about Betty White . Supervising Producer, Yahoo Entertainment, Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of, It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . 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. Watch The Betty White Show (November 29th, 1954) 1 Video 3 Photos Family Music Talk-Show Daytime show with Betty White talking to guests, singing with the orchestra, etc. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. 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. env: 'prod', Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. (Video: Reuters). } -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. 15 Glorious Photos of Betty White When She Was Young - Prevention White . Be like Betty White. 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 also told her critics to "live with it.". 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. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . ]); tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. 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. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. Tap dancer Arthur Duncan was first introduced to national audiences by Betty White in 1954 before making history as the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show. 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. 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. She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 2. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. The Betty White Show (TV Series 1954- ) - IMDb The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. targeting: { "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. . targeting: { } According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. She hired a Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, for "The Betty White Show" in 1954, a full three years before the first federal civil-rights legislation since Reconstruction was passed,. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. This article was published more than1 year ago. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Arthur Duncan. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. 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. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. Management ', 'What could be better than show business? Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. pos: 'right_rail_2', Betty White insisted on Black dancer for her 1950s show . Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. The show. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. }); EVENTS 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. . With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. 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! White explained the controversy in the documentary, "All through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didn't get rid of Arthur because he was Black," said White. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes - House Beautiful With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. 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. FLASHBACK: Lawrence Welk star Arthur Duncan credits Betty White for his Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. SistersInc. Betty White Photos: See 48 Photos of Hollywood's Golden Girl Through Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. 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. You never call, responded White. 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. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Betty White dead: 'SNL,' Robert Redford, Anderson Cooper mourn - USA TODAY As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. On moral courage and sacrificing privilege: When Betty White stood for This was in 1954. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises Now she wants restitution. cat: 'entertainment', And it was never a question at all," he recalled. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . And there was Duncan. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. 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. 'She Truly Was an Original': Stars Remember Betty White - Rolling Stone "Los Angeles was more accessible." Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. 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. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. 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. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Betty White Made History With Arthur Duncan, He Did It Twice More 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 . url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. 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. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. A movie event planned prior to her death to . Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. 4. R.I.P. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. And it was never a question at all.. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". 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, the then-83-year-old said. ]); 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. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', How Gabriel Prosser Planned What Would Have Been The Largest Slave Rebellion In American History, Meet The Ken And Barbie Killers: Paul Bernardo And Karla Homolka, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. cat: 'entertainment', But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? 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. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. }); !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); 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 aid: '769722', White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. This soon led to the show's cancellation. Betty White refused to remove Black dancer on her show in 1954 - USA TODAY } Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 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. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her 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. 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. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. 1. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. 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. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Pen Griffey Jr. on Twitter: "Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White You never call. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. 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. } NBC first aired in 1954. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', tude.cmd.push(function() { There was even a regular childrens segment. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. 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! Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. The Powerful Story Behind Betty White's Refusal to Remove a Black Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. aid: '769722', 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. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Arthur Duncan - Wikipedia Stay up to date with what you want to know. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. 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 other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. 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. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on Jan 1, 2022. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Entrepreneurs Summit Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. 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. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. 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. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. 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. This, along with his earlier inclusion (despite objections) on The Betty White Show in 1954 and with the help of White herself, made him the first African-American regular on a . He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. "I'm ready to go now," he said. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. 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. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. "In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show," The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center tweeted after her death. 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