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. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. tude.cmd.push(function() { It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. 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 . Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. 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. Entrepreneurs Summit Betty White served as both host and producer. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Some facts about Betty White . When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. } "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. 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! She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. 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. 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. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Oborfacts What can i say? In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. 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 Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. There was even a regular childrens segment. env: 'prod', 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. 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!. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . } But this story is true. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. 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. 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. "Los Angeles was more accessible." That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', tude.cmd.push(function() { on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . Not only had she been one of the first women to helm her own show on television, but she also laid the groundwork for how women could assert their agency in a landscape that was still dismissive of their talent and power. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. as well as other partner offers and accept our. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. "I'm. 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. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. "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. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. 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. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. 1937) Elwood . People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. Stay up to date with what you want to know. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . 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. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". 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. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. } Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. 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. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. env: 'prod', It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. subcat: '', 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 . When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. . Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. 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. 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. We wouldnt have been the same. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. Arthur Duncan. 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.. Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. 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. ]); He Was Fatally Beaten by Memphis Police Now People Around the World Are Sharing #SunsetsForTyre in His Honor, 41 Daughter Quotes That Will Touch and Melt Your Heart, The Empowering Truth Behind John Cena and Dwayne The Rock Johnsons Feud, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally Have a Few Things to Say About 20 Years of Marriage and We Should Listen, How the Boy From the Success Kid Meme Helped Raise Over $100,000 to Save His Dads Life, Actress Goes to Pick Up Her Car From Valet Parking Finds an Insulting Note on the Ticket That Mortifies Her, Strangers Spring Into Action to Save a Driver in Crisis on a Busy Road [VIDEO], 8-Year-Old Finds Out His Favorite Waffle House Waiter Is Hiding a Secret Doesnt Hesitate to Raise $64,000 for Him, White Woman Refuses to Listen to Dad After He Forbid Her From Marrying a Black Man 60 Years Later, Theyre Still Together. About Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. 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. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. A movie event planned prior to her death to . As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. This was in 1954. 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. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. She didnt have an idea of the extent to which it would enrage her market, yet the collective furor didnt crush her spirit or change her mind. 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. pos: 'right_rail_2', However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. You never ask me out.. See, back in 1954 Betty White served as the host and producer of The Betty White Show, a comedic variety show that was geared toward families and entertainment. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', When Bea Arthur left The Golden . 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,. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. tude.cmd.push(function() { Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 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? He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. 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. According to the 2020 book Betty White on TV, the show failed to attract sponsors and was cancelled on Dec. 31, 1954 despite a desperate plea by White to NBC execs. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. . You never call. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" She is older than Mickey Mouse. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', He said it was White who gave him his break. 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. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. 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. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. 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. 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. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. 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. White continued to resist the pressurecoming from stations in the South and used Duncanmore, until the show was canceled in 1954 the same year segregationin public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. That solved everything at the time.. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Management Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. 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. This soon led to the show's cancellation. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. Tell us what you think! *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. R.I.P. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. 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. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. Women of Power Summit 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. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. And it was never a question at all.. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. 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. 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. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Jan 1, 2022. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. 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. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', The show. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. 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. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. You never call. 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. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. targeting: { 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. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. . Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. 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. Contact The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. . NBC first aired in 1954. 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. 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. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. 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. Are you going to go house to house?. 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. I am one bad ass bitch. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. aid: '769722', Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. 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. Nick Castle Jr. had become a director and asked Duncan to dance his 1989 film Tap, starring Sammy Davis Jr. Duncan obliged, but his accolades didnt end there. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. 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. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? Live with . Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. 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. 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.