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.. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. 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 show was canceled soon after. 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. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. cat: 'entertainment', 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 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. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. NBC first aired in 1954. 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. "I'm. subcat: '', 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 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. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. In a time where segregation was at the forefront of American issues, Betty Whiterejected attempts to keep a Black dancer off her show. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. }); EVENTS 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. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. We wouldnt have been the same. 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. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. Sometimes this involved putting her own reputation on the line, and still, she didnt back down. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Arthur Duncans tap-dancing skills were undeniable. Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 3, 2022. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. "I was on the show and they had letters from Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there," Duncan recalled said in a 2017 interview onSteve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". (Video: Reuters). 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. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. pos: 'right_rail_2', Sales Partnership Solutions She paid respect to everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or what have you. Entrepreneurs Summit 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. 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. 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. 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. Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. 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. 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. pos: 'right_rail_3', 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. 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. In this day and age, this wouldn't be seen as any sort of big deal. 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 . But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. 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. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. 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. 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. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. on her eponymous talk show in 1954 . The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. So at age 18, he enrolled in Pasadena City College to study pharmacy. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. The daily talk/variety show on NBC allowed White to hire a female director (opens in new tab) as well as Arthur Duncan, . He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. "Los Angeles was more accessible." He entertained thousands of viewers each week with his performances and dazzled thousands more with his live performances. SistersInc. 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. Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. BE 100s tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Her response: "I'm sorry. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. 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. When Betty White was in her early 30s she landed her very own self-titled variety show. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', He Was Fatally Beaten by Memphis Police Now People Around the World Are Sharing #SunsetsForTyre in His Honor, 41 Daughter Quotes That Will Touch and Melt Your Heart, The Empowering Truth Behind John Cena and Dwayne The Rock Johnsons Feud, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally Have a Few Things to Say About 20 Years of Marriage and We Should Listen, How the Boy From the Success Kid Meme Helped Raise Over $100,000 to Save His Dads Life, Actress Goes to Pick Up Her Car From Valet Parking Finds an Insulting Note on the Ticket That Mortifies Her, Strangers Spring Into Action to Save a Driver in Crisis on a Busy Road [VIDEO], 8-Year-Old Finds Out His Favorite Waffle House Waiter Is Hiding a Secret Doesnt Hesitate to Raise $64,000 for Him, White Woman Refuses to Listen to Dad After He Forbid Her From Marrying a Black Man 60 Years Later, Theyre Still Together. This soon led to the show's cancellation. After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. Getty Images. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. 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? She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. You never call. Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas.
