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. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. Listen to Betty White. 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. However, Duncan spent years presuming that his dream of becoming an artist was too far-fetched. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. 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. 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. 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 the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. Betty White Made 1954's The Betty White Show Very Progressive. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. 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. 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. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) I did something a little different, Duncan told her. You never call, responded White. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); 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. She also starred in and produced The Betty. cat: 'entertainment', 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { Management Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. The show. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. 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. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Entrepreneurs Summit Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. 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!. 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, Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2018 ahead of a surprise TV reunion with White. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. Betty White served as both host and producer. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. 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. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . "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. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. But there was never a question at all., I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. targeting: { White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. 1956) . Michael Green, 69, molecular and cell biologist (b. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. 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 died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. He is a Black Tap Dancer. Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. People in the South, some of them resented me being on the show and wanted me thrown out. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', You never ask me out.. - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. White said she wasn't going to budge: Evidently through the South at that point it was a very heavy [thing], and I said, Im sorry, but he stays [] Live with it! White said. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 29K views 1 year ago Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which, along with his. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. } Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . You never call. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. "I said, 'I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!'" Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. R.I.P. Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', "Her response: 'I'm sorry. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. That solved everything at the time.. 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. cat: 'entertainment', She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. 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. . Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. pos: 'right_rail_1', In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. 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. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. In 2017, Arthur Duncan was reunited with Betty White on Little Big Shots: Forever Young (pictured above) and later in 2018, contributed to PBSs Betty White: First Lady of Television documentary film. 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! 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. Background [ edit] White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. Arthur Duncan, 84, is a tap dancer best known for his stint on "The Lawrence Welk Show." PBS. 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. subcat: '', 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 . He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. 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. 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. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. 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. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. INFORMATION She also told her critics to "live with it.". The Betty White Showwas a spinoff of KTLA variety show Hollywood on Television, which White joined in 1949. 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. Betty White: . In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . . Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. "She never wanted to leave her home in Carmel, but was forced to for at-home care," a source told The Post. (Video: Reuters). 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. CNN . 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. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. 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. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. 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'. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . It has since been updated. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Arthur said, "She . The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. She had also featured in a sitcom and even co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. . White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . 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. . I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Duncan's . 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 Are you going to go house to house?. ). Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. 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. And by his 21st birthday, hed caught the eye of TV pioneer Betty White. Some facts about Betty White . Betty White (1954), (Bettmann/contributor/Getty images) . Tap dancer Arthur Duncan was first introduced to national audiences by Betty White in 1954 before making history as the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. After appearing as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his \"musical family.\"The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers.In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual \"Tap Extravaganza\" in New York City.In 2006, Duncan was honored for his contributions to tap dance at the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival.In 2017, Duncan appeared on the series premiere episode of the reality talent series Little Big Shots: Forever Young, where he performed a dance and reunited with actress Betty White.In 2018, Duncan made an appearance on The Talk as part of a surprise for co-host Sheryl Underwood who performed a tap dance routine with Savion Glover as part of the show's New Year's Evolution. And it was never a question at all.. I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over., Oh, I hope so. 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,. White . 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.. 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. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. Her show was cancelled afterwards. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. 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. 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. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. Arthur Duncan. . The almost-centenarian was an icon in every sense of the word: with a career spanning eighty years, she marked a turning point for women in entertainment. She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. "Well, Betty wrote back and said, 'Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'" url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', A colleague. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . 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.". 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. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. 1937) Elwood . Sales Partnership Solutions Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. } In 1961, the then 39-year-old actress met the man . In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. targeting: { In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured onThe Betty White Showthataired in the 1950s. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. 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. cat: 'entertainment', Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. 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. Women of Power Summit tude.cmd.push(function() { As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "289be4dd-5b1f-48bc-990f-ec567999e080" }).render("8791f6495fab447280f16fc61516a837"); }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', page_type: 'article', Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. 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, the then-83-year-old said. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes NBC first aired in 1954. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. 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. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. aid: '769722', It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. } You never call. 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. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. Betty White In Person (1987). A movie event planned prior to her death to . . 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.. Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. 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. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. Betty didnt let her age hamper her ability to empathize with others, even if they were of a completely different background than her. 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. "I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays," White said,according to a PBS biography. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. 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. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. 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. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. "I'm sorry. } Duncan appeared on the show at least three times. Registry of Corporate Directors. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. aid: '769722', Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. 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.

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