betty white 1954 arthur duncan

He is a Black Tap Dancer. You never ask me out," per People. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. 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. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. And there was Duncan. The Betty White Show (TV Series 1954- ) - IMDb 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. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. ': 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. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes - House Beautiful Contact In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. The Betty White Show (1952 TV series) - Wikipedia In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. Betty White dead updates - Cause of death for Hollywood legend revealed kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. Arthur said, "She . But this story is true. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. 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. ]); But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. 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. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. White died on Friday, just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, news that prompted a look back on a career that included advocacy on many fronts. 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 Duncan, Barrier-Breaking Tap Dancer, Is Dead at 97 tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. 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. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 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. 1937) Elwood . "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. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. ABOUT Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys 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. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. targeting: { page_type: 'article', Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. 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. 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 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. You never call. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. 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. 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. White . Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. } In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . 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. 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. 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. You never call. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. 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. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. } baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', She also told her critics to "live with it.". He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. 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. You never ask me out." She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. 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. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. 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 then-83-year-old said. 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. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Betty White served as both host and producer. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. Stay up to date with what you want to know. You never call. Betty White spent final days in home she didn't want to live in 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. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Her show was cancelled afterwards. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer 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. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. (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: [] }; 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. 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. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. 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 gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. Arthur Duncan, Tap Dancer born - African American Registry *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Not one to waste an opportunity, White immediately set about hiring Duncan to dance on The Betty White Show, which aired on NBC in Los Angeles. 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. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. } "I'm. 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. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. 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. 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. 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. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. Background [ edit] Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. 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. You never ask me out.. "I did something a little. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. SistersInc. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. page_type: 'article', When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. Fans mourn Betty White on social media - ajc The show was the first big break for Duncan, then in his early 20s, he said in the 2018 documentary "Betty White, First Lady of Television.". When Betty White Refused to Bow to Racists Over Dancer Arthur Duncan The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. The show. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. 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. On moral courage and sacrificing privilege: When Betty White stood for Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. A movie event planned prior to her death to . 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.. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', cat: 'entertainment', The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag 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. A staff writer for All Thats Interesting, Marco Margaritoff has also published work at outlets including People, VICE, and Complex, covering everything from film to finance to technology. pos: 'right_rail_1', "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia When asked why she was risking her livelihood to defend a Black man, she said, Im sorry, but he staysLive with it, as per People. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Listen to Betty White. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. 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. 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. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. subcat: '', Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Wish Day | The Betty White Show (1954) Ft. Arthur Duncan She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. Her show was canceled soon after. Privacy Policy Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. 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. Some facts about Betty White . 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.. I am one bad ass bitch. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. 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 . She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . aid: '769722', 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!. Getty Images. 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. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. Betty White: . page_type: 'article', 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 . 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. cat: 'entertainment', targeting: { aid: '769722', Betty White Shaped the Rise of Television. It's a Legacy That - TODAY Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. 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. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. B.E. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan - iFunny White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. cat: 'entertainment', Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. Betty White dead: 'SNL,' Robert Redford, Anderson Cooper mourn - USA TODAY Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. 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. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career Betty White: 8 Fascinating Things To Know About Her Life And Work NBC first aired in 1954. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Betty White In Person (1987). 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. It has since been updated. Betty White defied racist demands with her 1954 variety show - The BE 100s tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', subcat: '', The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. 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. Rest well, Betty. Betty White - Wikipedia 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. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. pos: 'right_rail_3', Arthur Duncan on The Betty White Show (1954) | Tap Dance Live with . White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. 1 of 2. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. CNN . tude.cmd.push(function() { "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" It was the first award in an entirely new category. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . 'He stays': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer from her show in She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action.

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