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. 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From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . 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.. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. 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. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. 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. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. INFORMATION cat: 'entertainment', 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. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. Some facts about Betty White . Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Her response: "I'm sorry. Now she wants restitution. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. 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. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. 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. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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.". Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. 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 . Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. as well as other partner offers and accept our. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. It was the first award in an entirely new category. White had already spent years trying to break into film and TV and eventually managed to become a co-host of the Hollywood on Film talk show in 1949 and left only to launch her own company. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; tude.cmd.push(function() { And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. 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. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. His reply to her that they would be performing at local hospitals and orphanages was as wholesome as the beloved actress and entertainer, who died this week at 99. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. . 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. 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!. 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 recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Her show was canceled soon after. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. tude.cmd.push(function() { *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. } What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. You never ask me out.. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. 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. Oborfacts What can i say? 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. 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. "I'm ready to go now," he said. You never ask me out." Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. ]); Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. 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. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. "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.". Her response: "I'm sorry. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. "I'm sorry. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. subcat: '', Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. 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. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Betty White In Person (1987). Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. A movie event planned prior to her death to . Background [ edit] 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. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. 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? Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Management Arthur Duncan, whose exuberant tap dancing carried him from the streets of Pasadena to Betty White's variety shows in the 1950s as one of the first Black regulars performing on television,. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. 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. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. SistersInc. We wouldnt have been the same. 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. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. The show. B.E. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. Getty Images. . Betty White: . Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Privacy Policy Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. 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. 1 of 2. 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. Sales Partnership Solutions 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. Duncan's . In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. 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. A colleague. "I did something a little. Entrepreneurs Summit 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. 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. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. Subscribe to Newsletter ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . (Video: Reuters). The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. 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. 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. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. This material may not be reproduced without permission. . 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. 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. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . 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. page_type: 'article', In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. Tell us what you think! 0. Women of Power Summit 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! With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. . 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 . 2. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. Stars Betty White George Tibbles Dick Cathcart See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 2 User reviews Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total You never call. 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. 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. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". } She also told her critics to "live with it.". 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. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. This article was published more than1 year ago. . Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. And there was Duncan. 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. aid: '769722', Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. She even had a regular childrens segment. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Be like Betty White. 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. And it was never a question at all.. 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.