In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" 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. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. } You never ask me out.. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. 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.". "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. 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! Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. } I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. 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 earlier inclusion (despite Southern objections) on the 1954 Betty White Show, made him the first African-American regular on variety television programs.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.He later entered Pasadena City College to study pharmacy, but left to pursue a career in show business, touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and The Betty White Show. ]); The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. targeting: { Women of Power Summit } Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. "I'm. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . 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. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. 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. 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. 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. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. Be like Betty White. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. A colleague. I am one bad ass bitch. "Los Angeles was more accessible." 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. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. Registry of Corporate Directors. Its unclear whether her decision to keep Duncan affected the shows fate, but it was repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before quietly being taken off the air that same year. 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,. He was 97. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. 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. You never call, responded White. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. 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. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 65 Backyard . Her response: "I'm sorry. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. She also starred in and produced The Betty. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. 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. 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. ABOUT 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. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. 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. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . This article was published more than1 year ago. You never ask me out." And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. You never call. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. "I did something a little. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" She even had a regular childrens segment. Duncan credits White for starting his career. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. 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. 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. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Management She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. ]); The show. 1937) Elwood . After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. Oborfacts What can i say? Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. 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 his first performance was more than enough for Southern racists to threaten NBC with a boycott if he continued to be part of the lineup. Betty White In Person (1987). But this story is true. . NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. Betty White: . When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. 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.. 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. 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. 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. . Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { . 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 treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. 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'. 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? "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. 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. In a 2018 documentary honoring Bettys illustrious career, Arthur said, I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television. Betty herself wasnt blind to the outrage, but she wouldnt let the commotion, or as she said, the ruckus sway her in the least. . "I'm sorry. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. Are you going to go house to house?. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. Tell us what you think! According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. subcat: '', targeting: { }); EVENTS She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. At one point, the network threatened to take her off the air for having a Black man repeatedly appear on the show, but she wouldnt budge. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . 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. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Her show was cancelled afterwards. Contact The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. 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. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. CNN . However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. page_type: 'article', 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.. 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. 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. Live with . On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. subcat: '', Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. R.I.P. 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! # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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 . Arthur said, "She . Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Black Men XCEL Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. aid: '769722', page_type: 'article', B.E. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. cat: 'entertainment', In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. 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. 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!. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. 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. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. 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. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. 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. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; as well as other partner offers and accept our. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. env: 'prod', As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. 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betty white 1954 arthur duncan