BE 100s Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. 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. 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. Have something to tell us about this article? Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 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. 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. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. 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! FLASHBACK: Lawrence Welk star Arthur Duncan credits Betty White for his Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. 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. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. You never call. You never ask me out.. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. 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. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. pos: 'right_rail_3', Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television You never ask me out.. 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. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White shows why Betty White is 'the First Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. aid: '769722', 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. You never ask me out," per People. 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. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Registry of Corporate Directors. Some facts about Betty White . As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. There's no knowing if her putting her foot down on Duncan staying on had any role in the show being repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before eventually being taken off the air that same year. pos: 'right_rail_2', 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. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. 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. ). Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes - House Beautiful . 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 was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Betty White served as both host and producer. I am one bad ass bitch. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. Entrepreneurs Summit The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. You never ask me out." Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. 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. 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 . Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. ]); And it was never a question at all," he recalled. 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. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. (Video: Reuters). page_type: 'article', Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . 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. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. And there was Duncan. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. B.E. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. CNN . [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Betty White, 99, gives health update in rare interview after fans fear Contact A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. Betty White Photos: See 48 Photos of Hollywood's Golden Girl Through I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. 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. targeting: { (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. 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. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. Betty White: . This article was published more than1 year ago. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. 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. 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. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. 15 Glorious Photos of Betty White When She Was Young - Prevention As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Twitter 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. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. "I did something a little. Fans mourn Betty White on social media - ajc 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. 'He stays': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer from her show in When Steve Harvey asked Arthur what it was like to see his old friend, he joked, Im ready to go now. But before God could take him, Arthur wanted to catch up with Betty first. 0. 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. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . Wish Day | The Betty White Show (1954) Ft. Arthur Duncan 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 Reunited With Tap Dancer Whose Career She Launched - Yahoo! Live with . She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. Additionally, she didnt understand how some people could be anti-something. She was a proponent of minding her business, standing up for the oppressed, and carving her unique place in the culture through entertainment. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Rest well, Betty. Betty White insisted on Black dancer for her 1950s show url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. When Betty White Refused to Bow to Racists Over Dancer Arthur Duncan But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 65 Backyard . 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. } tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Arthur Duncan, Tap Dancer born - African American Registry page_type: 'article', Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. The show. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 'She Truly Was an Original': Stars Remember Betty White - Rolling Stone INFORMATION Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young., Here are some of her greatest career moments, Athletes, sports celebrities recall 'national treasure' Betty White, Robert Redford shares his affection for Betty White, 'I had a crush on her, too! Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. You never call. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. 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. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. 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. She also starred in and produced The Betty. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Getty Images. 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. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. subcat: '', He was 97. And Duncan had not only managed to build a professional career out of his art but had become so renowned that Francis Ford Coppola cast him in The Cotton Club in 1984. And it was never a question at all.. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. It has since been updated. } 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. Sign up for notifications from Insider! He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. 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.
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