tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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 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. }); EVENTS } 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. 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. ', 'What could be better than show business? div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', "I did something a little. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. 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.". baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. 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. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. 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. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { targeting: { Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. 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 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. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Privacy Policy He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. . 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. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. }); !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); Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. Arthur Duncan, a gifted dancer whose appearance on one of Betty White's early TV shows prompted a showdown between southern censors and White, died January 4. . 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. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Now she wants restitution. It has since been updated. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. 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. 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. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. Betty White served as both host and producer. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. ABOUT Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. 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. 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. 2. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. 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. "I'm ready to go now," he said. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. cat: 'entertainment', Some facts about Betty White . Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. 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. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. 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. "I'm sorry. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. 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. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. Stay up to date with what you want to know. } When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. 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This material may not be reproduced without permission. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. And it was never a question at all.. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. 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 In Person (1987). kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Are you going to go house to house?. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. targeting: { Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Jan 1, 2022. 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 . The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Contact White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . Tell us what you think! In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. aid: '769722', 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. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. subcat: '', cat: 'entertainment', But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Her response: "I'm sorry. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. 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, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. 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. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. You never call, responded White. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. Masthead, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. Oborfacts What can i say? Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. . env: 'prod', The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. 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 . 3. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. pos: 'right_rail_3', [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. We wouldnt have been the same. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. I am one bad ass bitch. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. 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. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. You never call. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. Sign up for notifications from Insider! But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. 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. She also starred in and produced The Betty. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. A movie event planned prior to her death to . Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". It was the first award in an entirely new category. . Listen to Betty White. 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. Registry of Corporate Directors. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. 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. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies.