But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. 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. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. 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. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. 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 . And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. 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. Rest well, Betty. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. 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.". 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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. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Have something to tell us about this article? . She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . And it was never a question at all," he recalled. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. 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. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. }); EVENTS she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. 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. 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. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. # DidYouKnow In 1954, # BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. 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. She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. "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. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. 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. She also told her critics to "live with it.". Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. 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. That solved everything at the time.. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. 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. Her response: "I'm sorry. Black Men XCEL 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. cat: 'entertainment', Arthur Duncan. Tell us what you think! This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. You never call. 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. About ]); subcat: '', Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. cat: 'entertainment', baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. "I did something a little. } He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. Entrepreneurs Summit Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Jan 1, 2022. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. She made sure to strengthen causes that needed backing, those that required people to break the mold and upset the masses. She also starred in and produced The Betty. . But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. 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.. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { 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. 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. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. A movie event planned prior to her death to . B.E. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. . She even had a regular childrens segment. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. 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. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . 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. . Women of Power Summit In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. page_type: 'article', In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. "I'm ready to go now," he said. . Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. 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. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Betty White In Person (1987). This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. After initially becoming a ratings success, a controversy surrounding Arthur Duncan and repeated scheduling changes resulted in The Betty White Shows quiet cancellation by NBC who did not renew the show for more episodes according to WFMU. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. Duncan was featured on the show at least three times. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. A colleague. Some facts about Betty White . tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. You never ask me out.. NBC first aired in 1954. Let us not forget that in 1954 Betty White's show was canceled shortly after receiving backlash for her refusal to cancel Black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan. 65 Backyard . Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', targeting: { That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. 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. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. 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. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. 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! But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. 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. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. I am one bad ass bitch. You never ask me out.. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. INFORMATION Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . Are you going to go house to house?. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. . 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. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. It was the first award in an entirely new category. 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. Arthur Duncan was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on "The Betty White Show" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." Died: January 4, 2023 ( Who else died on January 4? ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Privacy Policy tude.cmd.push(function() { Subscribe to Newsletter 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. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. CNN . After MLKs home was bombed, he refused to back down: This movement will not stop, The brave, forgotten Kansas lunch counter sit-in that helped change America, Sam Howell is the Commanders first-string QB for now, Nationals relievers see benefit in tinkering with new pitches, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. Arthur Duncan, a gifted dancer whose appearance on one of Betty White's early TV shows prompted a showdown between southern censors and White, died January 4. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). R.I.P. 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. targeting: { The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. 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. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. cat: 'entertainment', Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. 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. 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. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 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. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. *Arthur Duncan was born on this date in 1933. Betty White: . She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film.