Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. She also told her critics to "live with it.". This was in 1954. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Subscribe to Newsletter Arthur said, "She . baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. Rest well, Betty. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Black Men XCEL Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. ). But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. About In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. 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. "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. Not only had she been one of the first women to helm her own show on television, but she also laid the groundwork for how women could assert their agency in a landscape that was still dismissive of their talent and power. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. He said it was White who gave him his break. 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. cat: 'entertainment', CNN . Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. 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. "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. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. 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. 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. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. targeting: { 1956) . 1937) Elwood . 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 comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. ]); tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. 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. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', (Video: Reuters). Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. It has since been updated. 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. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. ]); In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. 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. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . And there was Duncan. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled 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. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. Have something to tell us about this article? 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. pos: 'right_rail_2', Jan 1, 2022. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Her response: "I'm sorry. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. She also starred in and produced The Betty. That solved everything at the time.. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. This soon led to the show's cancellation. You never ask me out.. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. See, back in 1954 Betty White served as the host and producer of The Betty White Show, a comedic variety show that was geared toward families and entertainment. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (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. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". Background [ edit] 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. 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. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. 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. Tell us what you think! 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { } Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Randy Shropshire/Getty ImagesFrom left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of Tap World in Los Angeles, California, in 2015. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. "I did something a little. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. 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 . Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. "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. Duncan's . 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. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Arthur Duncan. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. 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 went on to have alustrouscareer inshow business and gained fame for being the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show,according to The Library of Congress. 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. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. . Now she wants restitution. 1 of 2. 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. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. 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. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); Be like Betty White. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. 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. } Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. 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'. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . 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. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. Her show was cancelled afterwards. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. 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. 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. BE 100s I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. 4. 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. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. Sales Partnership Solutions She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. He was 97. env: 'prod', The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. 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. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. 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. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. 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.. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. 3. Contact In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. . 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. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. 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. } If Betty White was able to extend so much love and admiration to everyone shed come across over the years, anyone can do the same. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. 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. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. 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. subcat: '', Betty White served as both host and producer. 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. White died on Friday, just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, news that prompted a look back on a career that included advocacy on many fronts. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. aid: '769722', White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Live. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. . Sign up for notifications from Insider! As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 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. } Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. Today, many of us dont even comprehend the power she wielded, the significance she carried as the foremost Golden Girl of our zeitgeist, or how she unshakably fought to bring justice and diversity to our screens. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Oborfacts What can i say? 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. 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. 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. . env: 'prod', 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. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. It was the first award in an entirely new category. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Her show was canceled soon after. subcat: '', . Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Getty Images. 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. 2. as well as other partner offers and accept our. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at Reelblack@mail.com and info@reelblack.com with details and it will be promptly removed. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Some facts about Betty White . White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday.
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