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. Women of Power Summit 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. } 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. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. ABOUT He is a Black Tap Dancer. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. 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', Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . R.I.P. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. She also starred in and produced The Betty. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. 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. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. 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. targeting: { Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" 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. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . page_type: 'article', 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. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. Are you going to go house to house?. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . 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. 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. 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. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. Contact I did something a little different, Duncan told her. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. cat: 'entertainment', Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. "I did something a little. She also told her critics to "live with it.". 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. page_type: 'article', Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it." The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. 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. Registry of Corporate Directors. Duncan performed alongside stars like actress Jayne Mansfield, singer Jerry Colonna, comedian Hedda Hopper, and the Les Brown orchestra in places like Pearl Harbor, Korea, Okinawa, and Guam. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Duncan's . } A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. 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. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . CNN . Duncan credits White for starting his career. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. The show. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. It was the first award in an entirely new category. And there was Duncan. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. 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. as well as other partner offers and accept our. 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Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. 3. 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. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. Privacy Policy Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. cat: 'entertainment', Be like Betty White. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. 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. Live. 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. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. 1. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 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 was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. 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. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Arthur Duncan. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. 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. You never call. 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. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. "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. subcat: '', You never ask me out," per People. You never ask me out.. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" . ]); targeting: { Arthur said, "She . Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. 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. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. . He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. 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. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. INFORMATION Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. It has since been updated. This article was published more than1 year ago. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. "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. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. You never call. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Stay up to date with what you want to know. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. 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. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. 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.

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