Arthur Duncan, who kept tap dancing visible and relevant across the country on television when most had relegated it to the past and who also broke ground as a Black entertainer, has died at 97. As the popularity of tap dancing waned in the second half of the 20th century, Duncans appearances on The Lawrence Welk Show became one of the only ways that aficionados could catch a performance, per the Post. The weight of this, as well as the weight of being the only Black man on the show, led to him pre-recording his tap dancing, saying he "didn't take chances. Duncan's death was. pos: 'right_rail_1', --National Tour of My One And Only with Tommy Tune. ARTHUR DUNCAN OBITUARY Arthur Duncan was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on "The Betty White Show" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." We invite you to share condolences. His wife, Carole Carbone Duncan, confirmed the death. url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his "musical family." On the weekly Welk show, Arthur Duncan usually had one solo tap dancing performance, accompanied by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. Arthur Duncan. 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. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. Chris Pizzello/Invision, via Chris Pizzello, via Invision, via Associated Press. Radio was the main source of entertainment, information, and political propaganda, and jazz, blues, gospel, and folk music, became immensely popular. Television, Movie. In partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment, 2022 Emmy Nominee for Outstanding Entertainment News Program, Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies at 97. Duncan was inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame in 2020. Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6619. Survived by his wife, a step-son Sean Carbone, two step-grandchildren, two sisters, Mabel Duncan, and Eleanor Starr, and a brother, Michael. Arthur Duncans income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. Tap was no longer the dance of the streets, concert halls or Broadway. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Arthur Seymour Duncan. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Once he got back into the atmosphere of what we do, he was back in his zone, Mr. McLaughlin said by phone. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Before his debut on The Betty White Show, Duncan toured with the Jimmie Rodgers Show and danced in Europe for several years, including London, Paris, Cairo, Beirut, and Switzerland. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', He is best known for being a Dancer. They're flexible and good at improvising. He never returned to school due to his success as a tap dancer and singer. Arthur Duncan was drafted into a dance team with two friends while in school. Arthur Duncan passed away January 4, 2023 of complications of a stroke and pneumonia. Arthur Duncan of Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada was born on March 8, 1927. Arthur Duncan was born on September 25, 1933 (age 89) in Pasadena, California, United States. ), Decades of failures leave L.A. County facing up to $3 billion in sex abuse claims, Lakers vs. Warriors: What scouts expect in playoff series, The Great Big Highly Specific Guide to Disneyland, Three killed in small plane crash near Big Bear airport, authorities say, 2 students stabbed near Los Angeles High; LAPD investigating, Bass budget proposal for Animal Services is far less than what department requested. cat: 'entertainment', Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Stars show off their style at New York Fashion Week! Arthur H. Duncan, 82, of Portersville died unexpectedly on Saturday at the Jameson Memorial Hospital, New Castle. "[16], After his time on The Betty White Show and with USO, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. 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.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. More information on Arthur Duncan can be found here. Entrepreneurs Summit 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!. A full body orgasm at the L.A. Phil? Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. He was performing until the end, his wife, Carole Carbone, told the publication. Hed use the newspaper gig to get into fine restaurants, where the patrons included performers from the Pasadena Playhouse. Unavailable. His early supporters included famed choreographer and director Nick Castle, who tried to keep him working, and Henry Mancini, who created musical arrangements for his routines free of charge. They couldnt have picked a better person like that. } In an era when blacks and whites did not hold hands or even kiss each other on television shows (the first interracial kiss took place in Star Trek in the late 1960s, creating a firestorm of controversy), the large, all cast production numbers which often showed various white male and female performers holding hands and dancing, Arthur Duncan is often seen standing in the background, trying very hard to not look like he is "with" any of the women. Contact Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. Gold Medal flour recalled due to salmonella contamination. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. They were going to take our show off the air if we didnt get rid of Arthur, because he was Black., White, however, was unfazed. [21], The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers. Speaking to the Oklahoma News Report in 2016, Duncan acknowledged that despite taps resurgence in recent decades, todays dancers have fewer opportunities to develop their craft than he had during the early years of his career. Duncan elected to overlook racial slights. So everything worked out fine, but nothing happened overnight.. env: 'prod', I heard that. Duncan decided to take a six-month sabbatical to see what this show business was all about.He never returned to school. Duncan danced and sang on the show from 1964 to the show's finale in 1982. In February 1955, the show became the shortest run program to ever receive an Emmy nomination for Best Daytime Program. Dancer, teacher and entertainer Skip Cunningham used to admire Duncan from afar on the weekly broadcasts. Duncan's death was reported on social media by friends, including singer Ralna English, who wrote, "We have a lost yet another of our beloved musical family. Partipilo, Vic. [A]ll through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White recalled in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television. He also served in the Army where he spent much of his time performing for troops receiving his discharge in 1946. [fetch instagram= display=posts show=2 ]. Forty years later, she wants a judge to drop the case against him. Arthur Duncans birth sign is Libra and he has a ruling planet of Venus. Arthur Duncan, right, is seen in an undated image with Ray Charles, left. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 September. Arthur Duncan- (September 25, 1925 - January 4, 2023). Arthur Duncans mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. When he performed with Lionel Hamptons group at the Basin Street West nightclub in Los Angeles, Sam Lutz, Mr. Welks personal manager, asked him to audition for the Welk show. Born on September 25, 1933 in Australia, Arthur Duncan started his career as dancer . I was aggressive and curious and got in the way. In the documentary, Duncan credited White with really getting [him] started in show business. He would go on to build a dazzling career that saw him surmount racial barriers in Hollywood and kept him dancing until his death earlier this month at the age of 97, according to Harrison Smith of the Washington Post. Arthur Duncan, Talented Tap Dancer Who Broke Barriers, Dies at 97 The pioneering entertainer enjoyed a dazzling career that kept him dancing for decades Brigit Katz Correspondent January 18,. He recently retired Deadline L.A., a past honoree for best public-affairs radio program, which he produced and co-hosted on KPFK-FM (90.7) for 15 years. --appeared as a guest on the Lawrence Welk show. When is Arthur Duncans birthday? In 2018, he surprised Sheryl Underwood on "The Talk," who had called him her inspiration to take up tap dancing. Actor: Tap. Always a gentleman.. They have imagination and don't like planning things in advance. page_type: 'article', There were more renowned tap dancers during his long career Bill Robinson, Sammy Davis Jr. and Gregory Hines among them but only Mr. Duncan had a regular national television showcase like the one he had on Saturday nights on the popular if square Welk show, from 1964 to 1982. Anna Laura Duncan 1928 - 2011. "[26] In fact, Duncan was the first Black person to be a regular on a variety show. [2] He performed all over the world, and notably at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.[3]. Never had a bad word to say about anybody. It was, according to the Library of Congress, a unique and risky position. It indicates that He is on life path 5. [7] While Duncan could be counted on for a consistent solid rhythm and big finish, he rarely repeated himself and "was not a relaxed dancer. 1 talking about this. And he always focused on the next gig. The Greatest Tap Dance Stars And Their Stories 1900-1955. These were the days before digital recorders, streaming TV and YouTube, so if you wanted to see tap dancing, you had to sit in front of that television at the specific airing time., Author and dance critic Brian Seibert wrote that when Welk introduced Duncan as the young man who is keeping tap dancing alive, the epithet was based in fact.. --Five years of appearances in clubs in London, Paris, Cairo, Beirut. Arthur Duncan's net worth Betty White's Controversial Hire Of Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan Made History In More Ways Than One. Birthplace Pasadena , CA. Duncan claimed that Castle had a bigger influence on him and his musicality. [34], In 2008, he was presented with an honorary Doctor of Performing Arts in American Dance degree also from Oklahoma City University. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; It wasnt just Duncans presence on the Welk show from 1964 to 1982 that mattered, but what he did: virtuoso tap dancing at a time when the art form had become virtually invisible. He did not begin dancing until he was in the eighth grade, when friends persuaded him to perform with them at a junior high school event. He had a lot of pride, English said. Here we will cover everything about his family. In a word: tenacity.. But Ill tell you, when nobody was home, Id tune in, hoping to catch Arthur., He added, Hes one of the most underrated dancers around, and a lot of that has to do with the association of the show. Unavailable. 2023 Telepictures Productions Inc. He preferred to marvel at his good fortune, credit all who helped him and emphasize tenacity and hard work. He knew his public. According to numerology, Arthur Duncan's Life Path Number is 5. On most episodes, Duncan also teamed up with fellow dancers Bobby Burgess . Oakland Post (1968-1981), Apr 24 1979, p. 14. --starred in his own variety television show in Australia. SistersInc. Arthur Duncan Dancing to "I'm Walking," with the pretty Welk girls. Whos the richest Dancer in the world? The two seemed close to their father James Duncan and one of their sisters, Savaletta D. targeting: { You could go around to amateur shows and have an opportunity to practice, or hone your talents if you had any, he said. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. It took several days for word of his death from complications related to a stroke and pneumonia to get out. He teaches tap dancing and has two superior daughters. Cookie Settings, Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images, see what this show business was all about, fixture of both the large and small screen, waned in the second half of the 20th century, Five Places Where You Can Still Find Gold in the United States, Scientists Taught Pet Parrots to Video Call Each Otherand the Birds Loved It, The True Story of the Koh-i-Noor Diamondand Why the British Won't Give It Back. Information about His net worth in 2023 is being updated as soon as possible by infofamouspeople.com, You can also click edit to tell us what the Net Worth of the Arthur Duncan is, Arthur Duncan was born on September 25, 1933 (age 89) in Pasadena, California, United States He is a celebrity dancer He joined movies and tvshows named Tap (1989), The Lawrence Welk Show (1955 1982), Diagnosis Murder (1992) and Alpha Male (2006) His education: Pasadena City College His spouse is Donna Duncan Arthur Duncan has 3 siblings in His family: Mike Duncan, John David Duncan, Sal Duncan Gordon, Reference: Wikipedia, FaceBook, Youtube, Twitter, Spotify, Instagram, Tiktok, IMDb. pos: 'right_rail_2', We connect brands with social media talent to create quality sponsored content. Arthur Duncan, whose exuberant tap dancing carried him from the streets of Pasadena to Betty Whites variety shows in the 1950s as one of the first Black regulars performing on television, and then to The Lawrence Welk Show, where he helped bring the art form to millions of viewers for almost two decades, died on Jan. 4 in Moreno Valley, Calif. Required fields are marked *. About the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame: Biographies, American Tap Dance Foundation, accessed April 27, 2022. [2] It especially helped that he was featured weekly as a regular. His many heirs (he had 14 children) command several fortunes, from Hunt Oil and Petro-Hunt to Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. One of the first Black regulars on a TV variety show, he brought tap to millions of viewers on The Lawrence Welk Show after Betty White gave him his first big break. Tap dancer who is known for performing on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982. All rights reserved. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. (Courtesy of Carole Carbone-Duncan / Sean Carbone). We also cover here his sister, brother, and relatives information. Often performed with Arthur Duncan and Jack Imel. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Marshall Funeral . More information on Arthur Duncan can be found here. "DANCE: THIS WEEK; All the Tap Dancers in New York", https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/01/16/tap-dancer-arthur-duncan-dead/}}, "Arthur Duncan, dancer on Welk show, will be here", "First Negro Joins Bob Hope GI Cheering Troupe", "Betty White Steals the Show With a Big Surprise on 'Little Big Shots: Forever Young' (VIDEO)", "The Talk - Sheryl Underwood Tap Dances with Famed Performer Savion Glover; Meets Idol Arthur Duncan", "Arthur Duncan, pioneering Black tap dancer, dies at 97", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arthur_Duncan&oldid=1149637222, This page was last edited on 13 April 2023, at 13:37. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Mr. Duncan and the actress Georgia Engel at a 2018 panel discussion about the documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television. Mr. Duncan got his first big break in the 1950s on Ms. Whites daytime variety shows. For other people named Arthur Duncan, see. Please check back soon for updates. Live with it.. Privacy Policy | [22], Duncan even starred in a musical on top of his many performances. The 89-year-old dancer was born in Pasadena. Tap dancer Arthur Duncan, left, prepares for his final performance at age 96 in June in Chicago with help from his stepson Sean Carbone. INFORMATION In a 2018 interview, White said that she refused to fire Duncan and gave him more airtime, recounting "I said, 'I'm sorry, but, you know, he stays. } But broadcast during the Jim Crow era, some Southern stations threatened to boycott the show because of Mr. Duncans presence on it, a response that came as a frightfully ugly surprise, she wrote. His time on The Lawrence Welk Show gave the art of tap "its most regular exposure in that era", which was a time in which tap was mostly dormant. In 2019, he married his longtime friend and companion Carole Carbone. Mr. Duncan said he had been unaware of the controversy over his role on the show until he read Ms. Whites memoir. Our parents were very concerned about education and well-being, Duncan said. Often performed with Arthur Duncan and Bobby Burgess. It was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world. We will continue to update information on Arthur Duncans parents. When censors in the South objected to a series with an African-American regular, White's legendary reply was: "He stays. On most episodes, Duncan also teamed up with fellow dancers Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel to perform popular dance numbers. As young adults during the McCarthy Era, many members of this generation felt it was dangerous to speak out. [32], Duncan died of a stroke and pneumonia in Moreno Valley, California, on January 4, 2023, at the age of 97. But other dancers know hes great and for a while he was the only one keeping tap in the public eye., By the late 1980s, Mr. Duncan had been a professional dancer and singer for more than 40 years. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. 2023 Telepictures Productions Inc. ", Several years after joining The Lawrence Welk Show, Duncan sang and danced a blend of old and new routines at the International Frolics in Los Angeles in 1967. The seven others consisted of Dennis Day, Alan Hale Jr., David Nelson, Peggy Lennon, and Barbara Hale and her husband, Bill Williams. His survivors include his wife, stepson Sean Carbone and siblings Michael Duncan, Mabel Duncan and Eleanor Starr. cat: 'entertainment', However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. Duncan's unique position as the only African-American performer on the show created (to the modern 21st Century eye), somewhat awkward moments. He didnt have the speed he once had, but he could still carry a step., Arthur Duncan, Barrier-Breaking Tap Dancer, Is Dead at 97, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/19/arts/dance/arthur-duncan-dead.html. His beloved wife, Carol, describes Arthur as a 'gentle soul' and that he was. 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. Average Age & Life Expectancy Arthur Duncan lived 16 years shorter than the average Duncan family member when he died at the age of 55. } He took lessons with Nick Castle, an esteemed Hollywood tap dancer and choreographer, and began traveling abroad, dancing on stages in Australia, London, Paris and Cairo, among other locations. He was a natural performerDuncan would sing and dance on street corners while working as a newsboybut when it came time for him to choose a career, he decided to study to become a pharmacist. Dancer Brittany Cherrys Biography: Age, Height, Jelloapocalypse Wiki Biography, age, real name/fac Former Viner-Instagrammer - Evan Breen. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. A woman who ran a local nightclub gave him a chance. When Arthur Duncan Parsons Sr was born on 18 November 1893, in St. John's, Newfoundland, his father, Jasper Parsons, was 45 and his mother, Clara M. Wheeler, was 38. He soon joined the program, with its bubbly brand of schmaltzy Champagne music. In addition to his wife, Mr. Duncan is survived by his stepson, Sean Carbone; two step-grandchildren; two sisters, Mabel Duncan and Eleanor Starr, and a brother, Michael. CelebsMoney has recently updated Arthur Duncans net worth. [30], 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. He remained part of the cast from 1964 to 1982. window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Parents. He is popular for being a Dancer. After the Welk show ended, his roles included starring in the Broadway touring company of My One and Only with Tommy Tune, said actor Joe Hart, who also had a featured part in that cast.

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