BETTY White has updated fans on her health in rare interview after fans fear for the beloved Golden Girl ahead of 100th birthday.The actress, 99, crep . Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Live. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. 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. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. Subscribe to Newsletter Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. 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. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. ]); Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" 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. The show was canceled soon after. . 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. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. 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. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. INFORMATION She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) About Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. 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.. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. 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 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. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. Her response: "I'm sorry. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. She is older than Mickey Mouse. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. 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. White . Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. Have something to tell us about this article? 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. "I'm ready to go now," he said. 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 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. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . And there was Duncan. 1937) Elwood . kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Duncan credits White for starting his career. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Live with . pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. 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 The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. B.E. 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. This soon led to the show's cancellation. Her response: "I'm sorry. Betty White served as both host and producer. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . 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 world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. He is a Black Tap Dancer. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. 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. 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. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. Betty White In Person (1987). 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 . This article was published more than1 year ago. He was 97. ', 'What could be better than show business? In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. 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. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. 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. pos: 'right_rail_1', She also starred in and produced The Betty. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. "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. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. There was even a regular childrens segment. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', targeting: { Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. 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. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. 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. 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. . Jan 1, 2022. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. }); !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); -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 Championed by Betty White at the start of his career, he became one of the first Black regulars on a TV variety show. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) 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. ]); I am one bad ass bitch. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. 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 didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. His reply to her that they would be performing at local hospitals and orphanages was as wholesome as the beloved actress and entertainer, who died this week at 99. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. You never ask me out.. (Video: Reuters). Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. 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. Getty Images. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. Her show was cancelled afterwards. cat: 'entertainment', Oborfacts What can i say? Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 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. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. 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.. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. 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. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. Arthur Duncan. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. "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. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. as well as other partner offers and accept our. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. 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! By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. Entrepreneurs Summit subcat: '', White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. Management 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. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. aid: '769722', Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. Listen to Betty White. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. } Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. page_type: 'article', 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. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her 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. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. 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. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. NBC first aired in 1954. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. 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,. Are you going to go house to house?. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. 0. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. Now she wants restitution. 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 . But this story is true. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. 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. env: 'prod', div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', cat: 'entertainment', "Los Angeles was more accessible." You never call. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. 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. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. aid: '769722', Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. 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. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Be like Betty White. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Her show was canceled soon after. . 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'. Watch clips and full episodes of Little Big Shots for free on Yahoo View. "I did something a little. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. 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. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 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. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. 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. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. env: 'prod', In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. She even had a regular childrens segment. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. 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. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". And it was never a question at all.. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. Rest well, Betty. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. . The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. This was in 1954. You never ask me out.. That solved everything at the time.. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. "I'm sorry. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Sales Partnership Solutions The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. 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. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control.