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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. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. "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. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on TV, even though the color of his skin was a real problem for some people. 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. 1937) Elwood . She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. tude.cmd.push(function() { I am one bad ass bitch. 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The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. 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. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. 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. } Her response: "I'm sorry. R.I.P. env: 'prod', Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. env: 'prod', We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 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 . Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. 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. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. 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.. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. 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. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 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. page_type: 'article', Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. Some facts about Betty White . It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. "I'm sorry. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Listen to Betty White. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) 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. 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. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. 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. 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. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. 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. 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. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. 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.. 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. When letters started coming from Mississippi and elsewhere demanding Arthurs removal, Betty simply wrote back saying, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. It wasnt a matter of finding a compromise or trying to understand the other sides perspective; she wanted to trust her gut and do the right thing, protest be damned. targeting: { Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. Betty White served as both host and producer. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. You never call. ', 'What could be better than show business? When Bea Arthur left The Golden . In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. 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. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS (Video: Reuters). As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. 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. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. "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.". The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. . 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. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. CNN . Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. She also told her critics to "live with it.". She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. 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 White, to put it simply, is a national. 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. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. You never ask me out." GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. Duncan credits White for starting his career. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. 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. ). 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. 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. 3. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. aid: '769722', "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. 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. 4. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . We wouldnt have been the same. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. 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. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Have something to tell us about this article? Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. Contact Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. ]); Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. 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. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Entrepreneurs Summit This material may not be reproduced without permission. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', She is older than Mickey Mouse. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? And it was never a question at all.. 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. 1 of 2. pos: 'right_rail_1', Tell us what you think! Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . You never call. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) This article was published more than1 year ago. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Management There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. 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. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. 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. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. 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. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. 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. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' . Whats more intriguing is that this wasnt Bettys sole act of defiance within the show; she interviewed a Black child on the special when it was considered controversial to do so. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. 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. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. targeting: { People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. You never ask me out," per People. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. } Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. She even had a regular childrens segment. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Duncan's . pos: 'right_rail_3', . Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . Her response: "I'm sorry. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. B.E. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. cat: 'entertainment', 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. INFORMATION 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. 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,. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. About Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . tude.cmd.push(function() { Registry of Corporate Directors. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. } Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. 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. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. Sign up for notifications from Insider! But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. 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. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. He was 97. 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. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. The show was canceled soon after. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. 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. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. A movie event planned prior to her death to . divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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.. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. 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. Jan 1, 2022. You never ask me out.. Getty Images. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. 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. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. 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. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. . Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. 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. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. 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. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. With Betty White's passing at the age of 99, this internet meme about White refusing to ban Arthur Duncan, an African American dancer, from the cast of her television variety show in 1954, is getting wide circulation. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. And there was Duncan. 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. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. subcat: '', She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. 2. 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. 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