betty white 1954 arthur duncan

kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. ]); I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. . tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. 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 paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. 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. 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 . 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.. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 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. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. (Video: Reuters). Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. } kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', aid: '769722', Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies 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. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . 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. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. When Harvey asked what Duncan thought about seeing White again, he jokedGod, I think I am ready to go now., Sports world reacts: Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Celebrities mourn loss: Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! On moral courage and sacrificing privilege: When Betty White stood for Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. 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. 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 earlier inclusion (despite Southern objections) on the 1954 Betty White Show, made him the first African-American regular on variety television programs.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.He later entered Pasadena City College to study pharmacy, but left to pursue a career in show business, touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and The Betty White Show. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. page_type: 'article', url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 3. The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career A pioneer of early television with a career spanning almost seven decades, she was noted for her vast body of work in entertainment and for being one of the first women to work both in front of and behind the camera. 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. 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. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. 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. She is older than Mickey Mouse. 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. 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. targeting: { "I did something a little. 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. Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". FLASHBACK: Lawrence Welk star Arthur Duncan credits Betty White for his 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. Betty White dead: 'SNL,' Robert Redford, Anderson Cooper mourn - USA TODAY After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. And it was never a question at all.. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 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. 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. The Betty White Show (1952 TV series) - Wikipedia White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. The show. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', cat: 'entertainment', You never call. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. "I'm. 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. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. 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. B.E. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. This soon led to the show's cancellation. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. 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. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. targeting: { I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. } Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. 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. "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. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. 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. Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. 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..