You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. 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. Black Men XCEL Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS targeting: { 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. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. In 2020, the American Tap Dance Foundation inducted Duncan into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. Live with . Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. 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. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" "I'm ready to go now," he said. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 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.. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. But this story is true. 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. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. } env: 'prod', Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. It was the first award in an entirely new category. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. #betty #criticized #having #arthur #tap #dancer #show #said #im #sorry #live #gave #even #more . In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . You never call. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. 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. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. He was 97. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. (Video: Reuters). Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. 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! subcat: '', This article was published more than1 year ago. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. Live. } *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. GOOD aligns unparalleled expertise in social science, social media, and social change. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 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. 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. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. R.I.P. 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. Subscribe to Newsletter So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. 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. A colleague. 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. page_type: 'article', "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. 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. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. 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. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. Entrepreneurs Summit Duncan credits White for starting his career. Contact 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. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. You never ask me out." In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. 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. } Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. Duncan, who credits White with launching his career, continued to break boundaries after The Betty White Show. 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. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. 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. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. cat: 'entertainment', 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. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. 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.. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', 1956) . "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 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 Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White Show. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Arthur Duncan. NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. She also starred in and produced The Betty. pos: 'right_rail_2', 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. INFORMATION The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines.
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