And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Management Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. } Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. 2. env: 'prod', 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. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. 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 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. Television was still a new medium, but White was already a veteran performer of stage and radio, had acted on a sitcom and had co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. Are you going to go house to house?. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Oborfacts What can i say? She also starred in and produced The Betty. She also told her critics to "live with it.". According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Rest well, Betty. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. 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. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. 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!. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. 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 . kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. You never call. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. }); EVENTS ]); Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. 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. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. White was briefly married to U.S. army pilot Dick Barker in 1945.Two years later, White wed Hollywood agent Lane Allen, whom she divorced in 1949. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. About That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. 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. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. You never ask me out." It has since been updated. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. Listen to Betty White. He was 97. 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. You never call, responded White. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. 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. 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,. 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. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. BE 100s In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. 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. Duncan credits White for starting his career. 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. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. ]); "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.". #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. as well as other partner offers and accept our. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. White . Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. page_type: 'article', I did something a little different, Duncan told her. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. targeting: { tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. "I'm ready to go now," he said. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. page_type: 'article', In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. 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. 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. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. 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. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. Tell us what you think! 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. 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. She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" tude.cmd.push(function() { Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. 1 of 2. 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. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. 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. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. . 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. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Live with . But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. 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 a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. 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. . So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. 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. Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . 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. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. She even had a regular childrens segment. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. 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.". 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. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. 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. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. page_type: 'article', Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. 0. cat: 'entertainment', NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. 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.. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. 65 Backyard . I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. 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. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. 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. You never call. 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. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . Women of Power Summit tude.cmd.push(function() { 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.. 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. Now she wants restitution. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. 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. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. 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. She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Her response: "I'm sorry. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 1. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. cat: 'entertainment', White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. 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. Contact 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 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. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. . However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. subcat: '', You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Her response: "I'm sorry. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. ABOUT Live. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. Her show was canceled soon after. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Privacy Policy She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . 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. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. 1937) Elwood . pos: 'right_rail_3', Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . This material may not be reproduced without permission. . 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. } 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. "Los Angeles was more accessible." 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. } Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. 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.
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