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 February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. 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. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. aid: '769722', Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. We wouldnt have been the same. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. 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. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. } . divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', env: 'prod', 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 White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. You never call. 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. 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. "I'm ready to go now," he said. ABOUT And it was never a question at all," he recalled. 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. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Subscribe to Newsletter 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. 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. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. Her show was canceled soon after. . A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . You never ask me out." ]); 1 of 2. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . 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. Betty White: . 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. 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { "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. "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. 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!. 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. Duncan's . The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. 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. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. 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. This soon led to the show's cancellation. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. 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. 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 Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. . Betty White In Person (1987). This, along with his earlier inclusion (despite objections) on The Betty White Show in 1954 and with the help of White herself, made him the first African-American regular on a . 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. In the documentary, White described that all through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur because he was Black., Added Duncan: People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Stars Betty White George Tibbles Dick Cathcart See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 2 User reviews Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" 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. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. "I'm. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Not only had she been one of the first women to helm her own show on television, but she also laid the groundwork for how women could assert their agency in a landscape that was still dismissive of their talent and power. } In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. At a time when racial segregation was at boiling point, there were strong calls from different quarters to remove a tap dancer named Arthur Duncan from her show. Privacy Policy "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Television was still a new medium, but White was already a veteran performer of stage and radio, had acted on a sitcom and had co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. 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. It has since been updated. NBC first aired in 1954. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. 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. Arthur said, "She . It was the first award in an entirely new category. Her response: "I'm sorry. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. aid: '769722', Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. 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. He was 97. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. targeting: { . In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. targeting: { 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. 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. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. Some facts about Betty White . Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. "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. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Jan 1, 2022. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', . 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. } 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. 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. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. 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. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. 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 . Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. . "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.". 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. cat: 'entertainment', Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. 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 dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Her response: "I'm sorry. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. ', 'What could be better than show business? Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. She also told her critics to "live with it.". as well as other partner offers and accept our. 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. env: 'prod', 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. 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. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . Arthur Duncan. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. 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. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. She also starred in and produced The Betty. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. pos: 'right_rail_2', 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. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. This article was published more than1 year ago. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning 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. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. 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. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. 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. A colleague. pos: 'right_rail_1', Contact The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. 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. 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. 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. BE 100s SistersInc. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. 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'. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. White . But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. That solved everything at the time.. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. subcat: '', 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. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. You never call. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. And it was never a question at all.. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. 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. 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. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Listen to Betty White. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera.
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