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.. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 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. 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. Have something to tell us about this article? We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. Betty White Shaped the Rise of Television. It's a Legacy That - TODAY And it was never a question at all," he recalled. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; "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. 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. 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. Betty White obituary | US television | The Guardian Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. The Betty White Show (TV Series 1954- ) - IMDb targeting: { SistersInc. Throughout her life, she lent her support to myriad animal rights organizations, including the Los Angeles Zoo Commission, The Morris Animal Foundation, African Wildlife Foundation, and Actors and Others for Animals. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. aid: '769722', As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. 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 by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Subscribe to Newsletter pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080" }).render("8791f6495fab447280f16fc61516a837"); }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. He said it was White who gave him his break. Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 1956) . Betty White In Person (1987). The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career Betty White dead updates - Cause of death for Hollywood legend revealed Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. 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. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. 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 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. 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. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. Fans mourn Betty White on social media - ajc kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', You never call. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. And it only escalated after NBC rolled out the show nationally, with Southern viewers threatening to boycott the network if White didnt remove Duncan from the lineup. 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. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. 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. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. 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. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. You never ask me out," per People. 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. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. It was the first award in an entirely new category. Listen to Betty White. tude.cmd.push(function() { A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. 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.. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 15 Glorious Photos of Betty White When She Was Young - Prevention - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. "I'm ready to go now," he said. } Her response: "I'm sorry. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Be like Betty White. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. Her show was cancelled afterwards. . baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. Duncan credits White for starting his career. 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. 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. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. The Powerful Story Behind Betty White's Refusal to Remove a Black "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. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) NBC first aired in 1954. This article was published more than1 year ago. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. 3. 'He stays, live with it': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. subcat: '', This soon led to the show's cancellation. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. Rest well, Betty. } Are you going to go house to house?. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Live. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her show because he was Black A file photo of Betty White. Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White's show was canceled shortly after receiving backlash for her refusal to cancel Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Arthur Duncan, Tap Dancer born - African American Registry In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. ). She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. Additionally, she didnt understand how some people could be anti-something. She was a proponent of minding her business, standing up for the oppressed, and carving her unique place in the culture through entertainment. Wish Day | The Betty White Show (1954) Ft. Arthur Duncan But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Entrepreneurs Summit ABOUT The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. 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. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises You never call. 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Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag 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.. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. cat: 'entertainment', You never ask me out.. page_type: 'article', Betty White Reunited With Tap Dancer Whose Career She Launched - Yahoo! NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. 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. } ]); A movie event planned prior to her death to . That solved everything at the time.. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. 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. When encouraged to take Arthur Duncan off the air, White, then in her 30s, said: "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," per the Post. 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia 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,. } I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. targeting: { Twitter shares stories about how Betty White was amazing | EW.com - Yahoo!
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