Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. . I did something a little different, Duncan told her. Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. aid: '769722', There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Her show was cancelled afterwards. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. "I'm sorry. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. 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 Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . 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. Its unclear whether her decision to keep Duncan affected the shows fate, but it was repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before quietly being taken off the air that same year. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. White . He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; pos: 'right_rail_1', INFORMATION "Los Angeles was more accessible." 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. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. He said it was White who gave him his break. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for almost 20 years. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. Nur Nasreen Ibrahim is a reporter with experience working in television, international news coverage, fact checking, and creative writing. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. Her response: "I'm sorry. as well as other partner offers and accept our. 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. 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. Sales Partnership Solutions Live with . ABOUT A colleague. You never call. 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.. 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. 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. 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.. 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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', "Her response: 'I'm sorry. aid: '769722', 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. Black Men XCEL You never call. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. "I'm. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. She even had a regular childrens segment. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. Live. She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. ). 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. The show was canceled soon after. You never call. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. 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. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . The show was the first big break for Duncan, then in his early 20s, he said in the 2018 documentary "Betty White, First Lady of Television.". 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. 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 rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. 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 legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. 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. Betty White: . Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. 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. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. Listen to Betty White. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. And it was never a question at all.. cat: 'entertainment', The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Betty White served as both host and producer. env: 'prod', 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. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. We wouldnt have been the same. The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. 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. cat: 'entertainment', Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . 1 of 2. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. 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. 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. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. 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,. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. This soon led to the show's cancellation. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. When Steve Harvey asked Arthur what it was like to see his old friend, he joked, Im ready to go now. But before God could take him, Arthur wanted to catch up with Betty first. She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. 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!

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