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. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. 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.. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. A movie event planned prior to her death to . 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. "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. Live. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. 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. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. (Video: Reuters). Oborfacts What can i say? We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. You never call. subcat: '', Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. aid: '769722', 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 . Stay up to date with what you want to know. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 1. pos: 'right_rail_1', The show. Duncan's . 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. She is older than Mickey Mouse. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6442 Arthur Duncan and Betty White, reunited by Steve Harvey As the world mourns actress and comedienne Betty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. But this story is true. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. Have something to tell us about this article? . . I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. 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 . pos: 'right_rail_2', 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. Listen to Betty White. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. This was in 1954. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. 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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. . 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. page_type: 'article', divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. ABOUT Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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. Management However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. You never ask me out.. } It was the first award in an entirely new category. 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. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. cat: 'entertainment', She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. 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. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. 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. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. That solved everything at the time.. White said she wasn't going to budge: Evidently through the South at that point it was a very heavy [thing], and I said, Im sorry, but he stays [] Live with it! White said. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. 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. 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. 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. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. . she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. 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. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on TV, even though the color of his skin was a real problem for some people. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Sales Partnership Solutions 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. You never call. Her show was cancelled afterwards. } When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. 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. . She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . 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. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. subcat: '', He is a Black Tap Dancer. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. 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. (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: [] }; Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. Entrepreneurs Summit Betty White In Person (1987). Arthur Duncan. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. 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. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. The show was canceled soon after. 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. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . 1 of 2. Black Men XCEL Are you going to go house to house?. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. 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. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. We wouldnt have been the same. Women of Power Summit Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". } "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. He was 97. 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. This soon led to the show's cancellation. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. 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. 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. Some facts about Betty White . He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. 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. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. SistersInc. Now she wants restitution. 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. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. 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. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. "I'm. 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. 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. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. 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. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. "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. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. INFORMATION 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. 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 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. 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. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. You never ask me out," per People. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . 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. 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. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. 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. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. "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 with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. env: 'prod', The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Privacy Policy *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. And there was Duncan. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. ]); Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. 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. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 2. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Today, many of us dont even comprehend the power she wielded, the significance she carried as the foremost Golden Girl of our zeitgeist, or how she unshakably fought to bring justice and diversity to our screens. Betty knew she wasnt some prominent politician or royalty she was merely a television actress but she was still extremely self-aware of her influence on the country. 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.. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. 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. A colleague. 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. "I'm sorry. } tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. 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? 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. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. 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. targeting: { page_type: 'article', What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. subcat: '', baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. You never ask me out.. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. 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. aid: '769722', Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. Betty White: . Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off.