With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. Getty Images. "I'm sorry. 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. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. 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 . After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. Betty White served as both host and producer. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. pic.twitter.com/toipvY9cyQ. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. 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. pos: 'right_rail_1', Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Management Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. 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. 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.. R.I.P. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', That solved everything at the time.. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. 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. 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. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. 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. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. . Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. It's been claimed that Duncan's fixed role on "The Betty White Show" as a singer and dancer meant he was the first Black American to have a regular appearance on a TV variety show. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. 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. Entrepreneurs Summit Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. 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. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. subcat: '', And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. 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.. 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. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. Jan 1, 2022. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. 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 pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. Duncan's . The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Sales Partnership Solutions tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Be like Betty White. It has since been updated. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. At the time, she faced criticism for including African-American actor Arthur Duncan in the series, and refused to remove him from the show despite a loss in ratings. 2. ). In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. Masthead, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. 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. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. 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. } kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. "Los Angeles was more accessible." page_type: 'article', Live. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. 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. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. tude.cmd.push(function() { The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". You never ask me out.. cat: 'entertainment', 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. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. She also told her critics to "live with it.". 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. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. 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. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. ]); 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. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. 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. 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { subcat: '', The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. cat: 'entertainment', Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' This soon led to the show's cancellation. Arthur Duncans early career was helped immensely by breakthrough performances on The Jimmie Rodgers Show and, of course, The Betty White 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. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) 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. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Her show was canceled soon after. 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. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. env: 'prod', pos: 'right_rail_3', Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. 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. 4. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', "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. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. 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. Tell us what you think! - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. }); EVENTS "I'm ready to go now," he 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, the then-83-year-old said. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. And there was Duncan. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . 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. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', And it was never a question at all.. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { You never call, responded White. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. 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. 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. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 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. 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. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the 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,. Registry of Corporate Directors. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. } Still, as the only Black cast member, the show also posed a unique risk to Duncan, according to dance historian Constance Valis Hill: In an era in which blacks and whites did not even hold hands, let alone kiss each other on nationally broadcast television programs, Duncan was often seen standing in the background, trying very hard not to look like he was with any of the women on the program.. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. INFORMATION She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. He said it was White who gave him his break. 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. 3. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. 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.'. 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. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. page_type: 'article', He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. targeting: { Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. ', 'What could be better than show business? url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" The show was canceled soon after. Arthur said, "She . Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. 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. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Stars Betty White George Tibbles Dick Cathcart See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 2 User reviews Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total 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. It was the first award in an entirely new category. 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. NBC first aired in 1954. targeting: { 1937) Elwood . But his first performance was more than enough for Southern racists to threaten NBC with a boycott if he continued to be part of the lineup. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. 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. He is a Black Tap Dancer. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com, In the 1950s, Betty White was criticized for having Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan on her variety talk show, The Betty White Show., Image Via Film screenshot/Wikimedia Commons. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. ABOUT But this story is true. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. Background [ edit] 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. (Video: Reuters). Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. , Facing the threat of boycotts across the South, White famously said, Im sorry but he stays Live with it!. The show. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . She is older than Mickey Mouse. Her response: "I'm sorry. A colleague. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. } It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. 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 .
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