Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. env: 'prod', Twitter shares stories about how Betty White was amazing | EW.com - Yahoo! 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. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Stay up to date with what you want to know. ]); ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. This material may not be reproduced without permission. When Betty White Refused to Bow to Racists Over Dancer Arthur Duncan He typically performed one solo routine per episode, scored by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, but also frequently danced with peers Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. "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.". Betty White: . ]); When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. 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. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. You never call, responded White. It has since been updated. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. It was the first award in an entirely new category. You never call. . Arthur Duncan. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. You never call. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. as well as other partner offers and accept our. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. She is older than Mickey Mouse. Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag Betty White, veteran actress who starred in The Golden Girls, dies 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. 2. 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. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. 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. 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. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. . In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes - House Beautiful Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. 15 Glorious Photos of Betty White When She Was Young - Prevention Betty White refused to remove Black dancer on her show in 1954 - USA TODAY 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. 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. Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube . 1 of 2. INFORMATION This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. Management The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. 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. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. 'He stays, live with it': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. } He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; About Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Are you going to go house to house?. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer 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. She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Twitter Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS 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. 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. 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. 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. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. 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.. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. Primetime Emmy-dj a legjobb ni fszereplnek (vgjtksorozat) aid: '769722', In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. 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. . The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', "I'm sorry. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. And it was never a question at all.. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Arthur Duncan - Biography - IMDb Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. 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. Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. Background [ edit] So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. 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. Betty White Photos: See 48 Photos of Hollywood's Golden Girl Through At 99 Years Old Betty White Lives In A Luxurious California Mansion ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. } 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. 1937) Elwood . Betty White In Person (1987). In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny R.I.P. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. subcat: '', Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Betty White served as both host and producer. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. 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. 'She Truly Was an Original': Stars Remember Betty White - Rolling Stone 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. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. page_type: 'article', In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. 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. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. 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. 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 Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. There was even a regular childrens segment. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. . env: 'prod', She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Pen Griffey Jr. on Twitter: "Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. 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. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. ]); She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. The Betty White Show (1952 TV series) - Wikipedia Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. Betty White obituary | US television | The Guardian In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer B.E. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. . Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . aid: '769722', 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.. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. You never ask me out." Black Men XCEL 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. 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia pos: 'right_rail_1', Contact #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . 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. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. 1. Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises } . There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. 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. Betty White dead: 'SNL,' Robert Redford, Anderson Cooper mourn - USA TODAY 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. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. "I did something a little. }); EVENTS "I'm. You never ask me out.. 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. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Entrepreneurs Summit Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. White, a boundary-breaking television star by 1952, then became the first woman to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth, which she also starred in. page_type: 'article', 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. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. 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.