She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. 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. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. 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.. About 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. Betty White served as both host and producer. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', She is older than Mickey Mouse. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. "I did something a little. 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. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. She also told her critics to "live with it.". So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Women of Power Summit The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. INFORMATION } White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. 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. ]); Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. 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. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. 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 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. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', He is a Black Tap Dancer. Stay up to date with what you want to know. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. You never call. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. 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. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. Be like Betty White. Getty Images. 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. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White 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. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. He said it was White who gave him his break. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. 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. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. cat: 'entertainment', In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. tude.cmd.push(function() { The show. tude.cmd.push(function() { You never ask me out.. Privacy Policy tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. tude.cmd.push(function() { When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. 1956) . She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Following his breakthrough performances on variety shows, Arthur Duncan was invited to be part of Bob Hopes troupe of performers to tour US military bases and was the first African-American to do so. 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. 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. 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. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. 1937) Elwood . In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. . "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. Betty White In Person (1987). "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" 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. You never call. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. And there was Duncan. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. 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. 4. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. 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. aid: '769722', Arthur Duncan. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. 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. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. "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.". 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. 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. 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. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. targeting: { SistersInc. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. Some facts about Betty White . Her show was cancelled afterwards. 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. This article was published more than1 year ago. 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 . (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. This soon led to the show's cancellation. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. How Gabriel Prosser Planned What Would Have Been The Largest Slave Rebellion In American History, Meet The Ken And Barbie Killers: Paul Bernardo And Karla Homolka, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. aid: '769722', You never call, responded White. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes 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,. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. "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. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. This was in 1954. She hired a Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, for "The Betty White Show" in 1954, a full three years before the first federal civil-rights legislation since Reconstruction was passed,. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. 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. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. Jan 1, 2022. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', ]); I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good.