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! And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. 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. 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. aid: '769722', She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Randy Shropshire/Getty ImagesFrom left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of Tap World in Los Angeles, California, in 2015. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. 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. "I'm sorry. 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. It was the first award in an entirely new category. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. 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 . 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. 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. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. The show was canceled soon after. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. } Jan 1, 2022. 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. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes "I did something a little. . That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. 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. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. 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. We 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. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". }); EVENTS 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 also starred in and produced The Betty. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. 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. cat: 'entertainment', Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. When The Betty White Show was rolled out on TV channels across the US, many stations and viewers in southern US states threatened to boycott the show unless Arthur Duncan was removed owing to the segregation laws and attitudes towards race that were prevalent at the time. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. . . According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. 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. 2. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. } Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (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. targeting: { At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. 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. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. env: 'prod', "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. You never call. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 1 of 2. "Los Angeles was more accessible." Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. CNN . Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. 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. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. 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. Betty White, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland Star, Dead at 99 During the Little Big Shots episode, Harvey surprised Duncan by bringing White on the show to catch up with her old. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. The show. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. (Video: Reuters). This article was published more than1 year ago. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. But this story is true. "I'm ready to go now," he said. ]); tude.cmd.push(function() { I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. White made a career playing sweet characters with hidden and hilarious grit, and that quality goes all the way back to her first televised variety show, where, as the host and producer, she defied racist demands to get rid of Duncan because he was Black. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. 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. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. Duncan's . Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. 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. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. 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. NBC first aired in 1954. And it was never a question at all.. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. You never ask me out.. When Steve Harvey asked Arthur what it was like to see his old friend, he joked, Im ready to go now. But before God could take him, Arthur wanted to catch up with Betty first. 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. 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. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. 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 . 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 comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. 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? div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. Email: [email protected]. 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. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. 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 fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. 65 Backyard . The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 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. Live. B.E. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. Her response: "I'm sorry. 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. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. 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. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. } In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? "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.". Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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: [] }; 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. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. }); !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); Rest well, Betty. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. You never call. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. Registry of Corporate Directors. 3. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. page_type: 'article', After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. . The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. SistersInc. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! She is older than Mickey Mouse. Management 1. 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. You never ask me out.. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. 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. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. You never call. 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. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety 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, recalled Duncan. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', He said it was White who gave him his break. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . 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. 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. env: 'prod', cat: 'entertainment', Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. "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. She also told her critics to "live with it.". If White, 99, had it her way, she would have remained at her longtime marital home in Carmel, which she first built with her late husband, Allen Ludden, when they bought the land in 1978. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. He is a Black Tap Dancer. 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. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Listen to Betty White. 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. 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. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. 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 continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. 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. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. 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. Supervising Producer, Yahoo Entertainment, Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of, It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show.
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