betty white 1954 arthur duncan

It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. cat: 'entertainment', Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Primetime Emmy-dj a legjobb ni fszereplnek (vgjtksorozat) Arthur Duncan obituary: tap dancer dies at 97 - Legacy.com CNN . Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. 1 of 2. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. But White didnt capitulate, telling her critics, Im sorry, but he stays. Screening event for Betty White's 100th birthday will go on Rest well, Betty. targeting: { 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. 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. Entrepreneurs Summit Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. 1. page_type: 'article', Her show was canceled soon after. 'He stays, live with it': Betty White refused to remove Black dancer I am one bad ass bitch. Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. And that included the young tap dancer Arthur Duncan, who would become the only Black man on the program. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer 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. When Betty White Refused to Bow to Racists Over Dancer Arthur Duncan Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. 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. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. Jan 1, 2022. 'She Truly Was an Original': Stars Remember Betty White - Rolling Stone 0. Duncan was already a regular on the show which featured performances by White and others, interviews, skits and even a kids segment before it was added to NBCs national lineup in 1954. 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. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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'. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. 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 . Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. At one point, the network threatened to take her off the air for having a Black man repeatedly appear on the show, but she wouldnt budge. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. Live with . A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. There was even a regular childrens segment. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. You never call. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) By sethuraman s . Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' This was in 1954. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. The show. subcat: '', "I'm. And it was never a question at all.. . A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. You never ask me out.. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. Betty White: . She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. There's no knowing if her putting her foot down on Duncan staying on had any role in the show being repeatedly rescheduled for different time slots before eventually being taken off the air that same year. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . 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! Betty White In Person (1987). After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. Management She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 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. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. 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. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. tude.cmd.push(function() { Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. National Treasure Betty White Has Died at the Age of 99 - Vulture You never ask me out," per People. 65 Backyard . Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. 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. 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. Television was a relatively new medium, but White was a veteran from stage and radio. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. 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. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. Duncan's . . Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. "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. aid: '769722', Arthur Duncan - Biography - IMDb After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . } In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. (Video: Reuters). I did something a little different, Duncan told her. Betty White obituary | US television | The Guardian targeting: { Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. 4. 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. 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. 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. 2. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 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 holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. Betty White Made History With Arthur Duncan, He Did It Twice More aid: '769722', She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. Wish Day | The Betty White Show (1954) Ft. Arthur Duncan Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. Subscribe to Newsletter ABOUT In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. cat: 'entertainment', 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. ', 'What could be better than show business? Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. The show was canceled soon after. 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. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Betty White Photos: See 48 Photos of Hollywood's Golden Girl Through Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. 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,. 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.. Privacy Policy 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. When asked why she was risking her livelihood to defend a Black man, she said, Im sorry, but he staysLive with it, as per People. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. env: 'prod', But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? He typically performed one solo routine per episode, scored by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, but also frequently danced with peers Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . On moral courage and sacrificing privilege: When Betty White stood for Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Duncan credits White for starting his career. 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. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', pic.twitter.com/tVL7NUw2TT. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Black Men XCEL Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . 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. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. He is a Black Tap Dancer. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. 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. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. Arthur Duncan - Wikipedia Arthur Duncan, Barrier-Breaking Tap Dancer, Is Dead at 97 Not only had she been one of the first women to helm her own show on television, but she also laid the groundwork for how women could assert their agency in a landscape that was still dismissive of their talent and power. 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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. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. Her response: "I'm sorry. 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! In 1954, Betty White created and hosted her own daily variety and talk show, The Betty White Show. 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. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Tell us what you think! BE 100s Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. . They were going to take our show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur, because he was Black., People in the South resented me being on the show, and they wanted me thrown out, Duncan agreed. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). Live. 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. Getty Images. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. 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. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. 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. Now she wants restitution. 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. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. aid: '769722', Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. 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. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same.

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