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The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. Of course, the social media world is full of distortions and fabrications. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). Arthur Duncan - Wikipedia That year, 1954, also saw the Supreme Court handing make the Brown vs. Board of Education decision which banned segregated schools. 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. Betty White: . The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. 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. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on. Arthur Duncan, One Of The First Black Regulars On American Television 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. She even had a regular childrens segment. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. 15 Glorious Photos of Betty White When She Was Young - Prevention Betty White: 8 Fascinating Things To Know About Her Life And Work "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. You never ask me out," per People. Betty White served as both host and producer. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . Betty White Made History With Arthur Duncan, He Did It Twice More Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. cat: 'entertainment', Duncan's . 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. (1954) nem adtak t djat (1955) Nanette Fabray (1956) Nanette Fabray (1957) Jane Wyatt (1958) 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 . At 21, the California native had been performing in a dance quartet for years and was looking for his big break. You never call, responded White. 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. Sales Partnership Solutions Live with it. Then, she gave Duncan even more airtime when he appeared on the show twice more. Betty White's Comic Reversals | The New Yorker 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.". After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. 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. targeting: { When so many of her peers were justifying their ignorance by claiming to be a product of their times, Betty stood out. Although NBC eventually canceled Whites show, Duncan had become a star. Management She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. 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. She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. Betty White insisted on Black dancer for her 1950s show Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. ]); } It's Betty White's 99th birthday on Sunday, and former co-stars Arthur Duncan and Wendie Malick are singing her praises. FLASHBACK: Lawrence Welk star Arthur Duncan credits Betty White for his Shaoni Das is a writer based out of Alberta, Canada. }); !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); . Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. When NBC gave her a national 30-minute variety show in 1954, she . 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. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. Nick Castle Jr. had become a director and asked Duncan to dance his 1989 film Tap, starring Sammy Davis Jr. Duncan obliged, but his accolades didnt end there. Betty White holds the record for "longest television career of any female or male entertainer." She is older than sliced bread. Was Betty White Slammed for Having Black Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan on Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. 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. Primetime Emmy-dj a legjobb ni fszereplnek (vgjtksorozat) Betty White, veteran actress who starred in The Golden Girls, dies aid: '769722', 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!. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KLAC-TV (now KCOP-TV) in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. And it was never a question at all," he recalled. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. The Controversial Decision That Nearly Ruined Betty White's Career Jan 1, 2022. Arthur Duncan - "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) - YouTube ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. "I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business. Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97 So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. Tap dancer & Singer Arthur Duncan performing "Sing You Sinners,Sing" (1954) tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. 1 of 2. 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. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. About Betty White turns 99 this weekend, as former co-stars sing her praises 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. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. A colleague. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Betty White dead: 'SNL,' Robert Redford, Anderson Cooper mourn - USA TODAY One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. Arthur Duncan on The Betty White shows why Betty White is 'the First In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Betty White spent final days in home she didn't want to live in Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. According to the 2018 PBS documentary, Betty White: First Lady of Television, (available on Netflix) Duncan credited White for his first big break. So the next time you blame someones bigotry on their times, remember Betty White. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . INFORMATION Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. 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. 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. In 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. Are you going to go house to house?. This was in 1954. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. B.E. 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,. It has since been updated. 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 1954, Betty White rejected pressure to stop featuring tap dancer 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. 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? When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. The producers wanted to remove him from the show, but White said "He stays. You never call. Simply put, if people like her hadnt raised their voices and resisted hatred and ignorance, our world wouldnt have been the same. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Live. However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. pos: 'right_rail_1', Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . BE 100s White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. When Bea Arthur left The Golden . Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. TIL that, in 1954, Betty White was criticized for having Arthur Duncan The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center on Twitter The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. The show was canceled soon after. 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. Betty White, 99, gives health update in rare interview after fans fear 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. subcat: '', 'She Truly Was an Original': Stars Remember Betty White - Rolling Stone She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. Subscribe to Newsletter This article was published more than1 year ago. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. 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. Entrepreneurs Summit In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. When Duncan told White, "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," she replied, "Oh, I hope so. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. 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 was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. When she was encouraged to take him offbecause of the color of his skin,she politely declined. But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. 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. 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. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. In 1954, she became the host of her own daily variety show, The Betty White Show. 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. White . 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. 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. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. 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. Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Her response: "I'm sorry. Television was still a new medium, but White was already a veteran performer of stage and radio, had acted on a sitcom and had co-hosted a Los Angeles daytime talk show. Live with it." and gave Duncan more airtime. And it was never a question at all.. Her response: "I'm sorry. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. Sign up for notifications from Insider! A movie event planned prior to her death to . Duncan told Steve Harvey in 2017 thatWhitegave him his first job on TV during the premiere of Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young.. Duncan performed on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly 20 years, making him the first Black regular on a variety 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. Sandy Duncan: Funny Face 1973 Mary Tyler Moore: Mary Tyler Moore: Bea Arthur: Maude Jean Stapleton: . Betty White obituary | US television | The Guardian Lets take a moment to honor the First Lady of Television and what her progressiveness meant to those watching at home. 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 . Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Live with it," and she gave Duncan even more airtime. 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. As producer of her own show, White decided to give Duncan a national platform to share those skills with the rest of the country. According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. A Look at All of Betty White's Homes - House Beautiful The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. 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. Unfortunately, the show was canceled the same year, though its hard to say whether it was a direct result of the outcry or if interest was waning in general. Duncan credits White for starting his career. targeting: { Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life.