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. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Betty White In Person (1987). aid: '769722', Registry of Corporate Directors. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. 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. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. 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. ABOUT Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. "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.". In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. 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. BE 100s 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. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. targeting: { Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. She also told her critics to "live with it.". She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. 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. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. ). This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. 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. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. 2. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', 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. She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. 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 extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. env: 'prod', Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. 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. 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. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. ]); cat: 'entertainment', ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. Live with . Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. 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. 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. You never call. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. 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. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. } Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . She is older than Mickey Mouse. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. (Video: Reuters). Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . 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. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. } Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. aid: '769722', targeting: { 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. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. "Los Angeles was more accessible." tude.cmd.push(function() { "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. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. 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. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. 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.. 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. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. 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 December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. 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. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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.. cat: 'entertainment', 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. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. 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. Arthur said, "She . Background [ edit] 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? Her response: "I'm sorry. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. But this story is true. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. 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,. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Her response: "I'm sorry. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', "I'm ready to go now," he said. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 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. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Tell us what you think! There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. 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. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. . Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. She also starred in and produced The Betty. 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.. ]); On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. . ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. (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: [] }; The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. 1956) . Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. tude.cmd.push(function() { The show. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. . Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { He was 97. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. 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. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". . "Her response: 'I'm sorry. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. 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. 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. R.I.P. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Subscribe to Newsletter Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. 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 sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. 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 tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. 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. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. Some facts about Betty White . When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. 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. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 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. 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. 65 Backyard . The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { "I did something a little. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Have something to tell us about this article? "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" aid: '769722', The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. . Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. 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. This soon led to the show's cancellation. "I'm sorry. We wouldnt have been the same. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 4. 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. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. 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. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. 1 of 2. 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. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Her show was canceled soon after. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', When encouraged to take Arthur Duncan off the air, White, then in her 30s, said: "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," per the Post. The show was canceled soon after. 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. He said it was White who gave him his break. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . And there was Duncan. tude.cmd.push(function() { When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. 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. Now she wants restitution. 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. Privacy Policy It was the first award in an entirely new category. 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. subcat: '', One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Betty White: . Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. White . 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. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Women of Power Summit pos: 'right_rail_1', Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. 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. 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. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. page_type: 'article', Stay up to date with what you want to know. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. 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.

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