Entrepreneurs Summit baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. NBC first aired in 1954. This was in 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 had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . 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 even had a regular childrens segment. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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! I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. tude.cmd.push(function() { Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on When Bea Arthur left The Golden . This material may not be reproduced without permission. About White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. A tap dancer with remarkable skill, Arthur Duncan was the first African American to be hired as a series regular on the variety shows of early television. A colleague. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. "I did something a little. 1937) Elwood . 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. You never ask me out," per People. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. And there was Duncan. Betty White spent final days in home she didn't want to live in Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com } ', 'What could be better than show business? 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. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. 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. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. 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. When Betty White Refused to Bow to Racists Over Dancer Arthur Duncan 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. 1 of 2. Her response: "I'm sorry. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. In a heartening example of life coming full circle, 55-year-old Arthur Duncan was still tap-dancing when the son of his former mentor approached him with a project. 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. 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. 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. Women of Power Summit When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. 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. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White Show (1954) | Tap Dance And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Betty White: . 29K views 1 year ago 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. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) You never ask me out.. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. 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. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. 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. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { tude.cmd.push(function() { In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 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 . 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. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. 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. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . 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. 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. 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 . Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" 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. Tell us what you think! Twitter shares stories about how Betty White was amazing | EW.com - Yahoo! aid: '769722', People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White shows why Betty White is 'the First 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 Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. . From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . } Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. 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. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. When The Betty White Show was rolled out on TV channels across the US, many stations and viewers in southern US states threatened to boycott the show unless Arthur Duncan was removed owing to the segregation laws and attitudes towards race that were prevalent at the time. With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. You never call. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. Betty White's Life in Photos - Peoplemag In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism',