You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. 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. 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. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. But by the early 1980s, when The Lawrence Welk Show finally went off the air, that era was over. This was in 1954. 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. targeting: { In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. In 2010, the Forest Service made Betty White an honorary forest ranger. It was the first time in over 60 years that Arthur Duncan and Betty White had appeared on stage together. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. 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. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. (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: [] }; 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. Duncan credits White for starting his career. "I'm. 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 . But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? Betty White rejected attempts to keep Black dancer Arthur Duncan off her show in the 1950s. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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. 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. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. 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. This material may not be reproduced without permission. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. } Arthur Duncan, the dancer in question, was a young man in his twenties, striving to make a mark in the industry. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). 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. INFORMATION Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Entrepreneurs Summit She even had a regular childrens segment. She also told her critics to "live with it.". Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. . Email: agilbert@usatoday.com. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. The show was canceled soon after. 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. Betty White In Person (1987). You never call. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. 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. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. 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! 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. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . She is older than Mickey Mouse. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. 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.. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. 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. 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.. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. cat: 'entertainment', 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. 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.. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. 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. She also starred in and produced The Betty. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Contact 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954.
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