betty white 1954 arthur duncanbetty white 1954 arthur duncan

betty white 1954 arthur duncan betty white 1954 arthur duncan

She was part of the board at the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and regularly campaigned to raise more funds for the association. . 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. env: 'prod', But one heartwarming story about her principled stand in supporting a Black colleagues career despite opposition highlighted another facet of her life. Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Betty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Wikimedia CommonsBetty Whites show was canceled the same year she invited Duncan on as a guest three times. Photo by: Vivian Zink/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images. ]); 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. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. page_type: 'article', Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could.'. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national treasure in the US. The comedian was a legend through and through: when faced with the overwhelming pressure to give in to hate, she resisted and won. Live with it, according to USA Today and ended up giving Arthur Duncan more airtime as a result. This is a tremendous loss," tap-dancing legend Arthur Duncan tells Rolling Stone. Arthur Duncan. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. The Inspiring Story Of Arthur Duncan, The First Black Regular On An American Variety Show. He said it was White who gave him his break. Privacy Policy Getty Images. Betty White was weeks away from her 100th birthday and planned a big celebration. Now she wants restitution. 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. Background [ edit] Its because of people like her we were able to push the needle forward in terms of racial and gender equality. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. However, it was during an appearance on Steve Harveys show Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017 that Duncan felt truly blessed when Betty White surprised him onstage. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. With newfound creative control, White created a sitcom that earned her a Best Actress Emmy nomination. "Her response: 'I'm sorry. In fact, as per Arthur, Betty gave him more time on the air when they started receiving backlash. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself keeps you feeling young. That solved everything at the time.. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. pos: 'right_rail_3', Betty White: reglnyok: Bea Arthur: reglnyok: Phylicia Rashad: The Cosby Show Rue McClanahan: reglnyok: Shelley Long: Cheers: . 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. This soon led to the show's cancellation. Steve Harvey also had Betty White come on to the show to reunite them. "Los Angeles was more accessible." The Betty White Show is a television series that aired on KTLA in 1952 and 1953, and on NBC in 1954. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Bettys ninety-nine years on this planet is a testament to the tenacity of human kindness. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. 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. In 1954 Betty White had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show. Cindy Ord/Getty Betty White rejected. She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. In other news, One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed. As in, before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Little Rock Nine and the Greensboro, N.C., lunch-counter sit-ins. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', 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. 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 pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. NBC first aired in 1954. targeting: { And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. She was fond of leveraging her power to extend empathy towards those who were far less privileged than her. 1956) . 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. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. pos: 'right_rail_1', 65 Backyard . 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. White . 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. Even at the risk of cancelation, White insisted that Arthur Duncan stay on and thus helped launch a successful career for him. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. . 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. aid: '769722', Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . 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 . . 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. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. Her show was canceled soon after. A colleague. 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.. ABOUT 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. cat: 'entertainment', BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. targeting: { pos: 'right_rail_2', So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . env: 'prod', ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Some facts about Betty White . "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. The world is still mourning the immense loss of Betty White. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. This was in 1954. Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. Betty White, to put it simply, is a national. cat: 'entertainment', While the world mourns the death of actor and activist Betty White, many are learning about her advocacy on behalf of African-Americans. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. Case in point: when she rallied to have a Black tap dancer perform on her show despite the audience pushing for his expulsion. We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. 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 had a talk show and faced criticism for including a black tap dancer, Arthur Duncan, on her show.Betty responded with Im sorry. Not one to waste an opportunity, White immediately set about hiring Duncan to dance on The Betty White Show, which aired on NBC in Los Angeles. It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" With substantial clout, she developed her own variety show in 1954 and wasted no time giving talented performers a shot. Her show was cancelled afterwards. Wikimedia Commons Arthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. 1925) Norman Fruchter, 85, writer and academic (b. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . 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. But the stage kept calling, and he eventually dropped out to pursue tap dancing full time. 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. Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). Tell us what you think! However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Well, Betty wrote back and said, Needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could. The dancer, Arthur Duncan, was featured on "The Betty White Show" that aired in the 1950s. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. "I'm. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Betty White died on December 31, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. She produced and starred in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth (1953-1955), making . The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. Registry of Corporate Directors. There was never a question at all, said Arthur regarding Bettys insistence. BE 100s She deploys language as a way to connect with her audience and empower them to take action. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Ignoring the racist calls, she interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment as well, reported The Washington Post. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. 2. Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. 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. }); !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); 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. 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. Duncan appeared in three episodes of The Betty White Show according to IMDb and it was these episodes, in particular, that drew criticism. subcat: '', B.E. 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. 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. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. targeting: { She knew exactly what was right and what was wrong, and didnt let the status quo defer her from taking a stand. [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Her response: "I'm sorry. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. 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. 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. She treated Arthur like a friend and fought tooth and nail to have him on her show. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show. I rehearsed with a choral group thats going to do Christmas carols this Christmas., Oh, wonderful, White said. 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. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; 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!. Duncan later toured with Bob Hope and appeared on The Lawrence Welk Show for nearly two decades. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. 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. } Given that White and Duncan both corroborated this story in the documentary, we rate this claim as True.. About Betty White was in 'great spirits' while filming final TV appearance. Why You Need This All-Access Design Program. She continued to serve as producer on the show, pushing boundaries by hiring a female director and showcasing. According to IMDb, Duncan appeared on three episodes of White's show in 1954. 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. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes - Wikipedia-----Video originally shared on archive.orgShared for historical purposes. tude.cmd.push(function() { kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Veteran actress Betty White, best known for her role in The Golden Girls and whose career spanned eight decades, has died aged 99. This took place in 1954: when American society was still organized on the basis of hard racial lines, and segregation was considered the norm. 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. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. "I did something a little. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', page_type: 'article', tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure.

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