In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. pos: 'right_rail_3', tude.cmd.push(function() { Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. 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!. 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. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. 3. Rest well, Betty. 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, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. That solved everything at the time.. . div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 4. INFORMATION tude.cmd.push(function() { pos: 'right_rail_2', Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. 65 Backyard . She also starred in and produced The Betty. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. "I'm ready to go now," he said. She is older than Mickey Mouse. cat: 'entertainment', Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. We wouldnt have been the same. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 1. 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. Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6442 Arthur Duncan and Betty White, reunited by Steve Harvey As the world mourns actress and comedienne Betty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are. pos: 'right_rail_1', 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. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. See, back in 1954 Betty White served as the host and producer of The Betty White Show, a comedic variety show that was geared toward families and entertainment. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Management aid: '769722', url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. 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. 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. 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. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Black Men XCEL page_type: 'article', While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', env: 'prod', pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. 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. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . } 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. This was in 1954. Now she wants restitution. I am one bad ass bitch. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. 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', At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. 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. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Oborfacts What can i say? As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. Background [ edit] I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. 1 of 2. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. You never call. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. 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. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. 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. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. You never call, responded White. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Duncan's . The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. 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,. 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. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" Stay up to date with what you want to know. Live. 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. 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. "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. 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. subcat: '', This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', If White, 99, had it her way, she would have remained at her longtime marital home in Carmel, which she first built with her late husband, Allen Ludden, when they bought the land in 1978. 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. You never call. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . Sales Partnership Solutions Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. }); EVENTS The show was canceled soon after. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. As the world mourns actress and comedienneBetty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are discovering or being reminded of the way she broke TV barriers with tap dancerArthur Duncan. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. env: 'prod', She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. 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. cat: 'entertainment', 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. 1956) . "I'm sorry. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. Privacy Policy And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. 0. 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.. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Her response: "I'm sorry. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. 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. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. He is a Black Tap Dancer. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. 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. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. A colleague. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. 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. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', This soon led to the show's cancellation. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. 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. 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. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. 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 . tude.cmd.push(function() { White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. R.I.P. } Following his breakthrough performances on variety shows, Arthur Duncan was invited to be part of Bob Hopes troupe of performers to tour US military bases and was the first African-American to do so. About Her show was cancelled afterwards. You never ask me out," per People. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. 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. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 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.. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. 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. 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. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. This material may not be reproduced without permission. "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.". This article was published more than1 year ago. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. You never ask me out..

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