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. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 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. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Background [ edit] I am one bad ass bitch. She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. Additionally, she didnt understand how some people could be anti-something. She was a proponent of minding her business, standing up for the oppressed, and carving her unique place in the culture through entertainment. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. B.E. } The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Duncan went on to become the first Black regular on a variety show when he was hired on 'The Lawrence Welk Show' and he continued on that show for another 20 years. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', When asked why she was risking her livelihood to defend a Black man, she said, Im sorry, but he staysLive with it, as per People. 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 . 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. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. 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. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. 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. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. I was on the show, and they had some letters out of Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there, recalled Duncan. 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.. There was even a regular childrens segment. 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. subcat: '', Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. 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. Listen to Betty White. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. You never ask me out," per People. 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. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. 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? 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. 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. But this story is true. 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. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. 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. 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,. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . He was 97. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. 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.. as well as other partner offers and accept our. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. 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. "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 asked Arthur Duncan. 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. Have something to tell us about this article? Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. 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 . 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. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. 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 the 1950s, representation on television was still a controversial subject, and the gatekeepers of the industry werent even keen on having women run shows. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. 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. ]); tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . R.I.P. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. INFORMATION According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. 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. Duncan's . . By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Black Men XCEL She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. 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.". "I'm. aid: '769722', Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. 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. . After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. targeting: { Her show was canceled soon after. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. CNN . "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.". 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. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. 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. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. . 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. 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. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. . cat: 'entertainment', On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. page_type: 'article', She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. 1956) . Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Jan 1, 2022. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. 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. Some facts about Betty White . pos: 'right_rail_2', They were going to take our show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur, because he was Black., People in the South resented me being on the show, and they wanted me thrown out, Duncan agreed. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. Now she wants restitution. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. We wouldnt have been the same. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" 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The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. 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. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 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. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. Duncan credits White for starting his career. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . 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. She also starred in and produced The Betty. 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 was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. 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. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. You never ask me out.. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. 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! 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. 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.
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