This page is dedicated to living legend Arthur Duncan, the King of Tap. He never returned to school due to his success as a tap dancer and singer. Arthur Duncans income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. "[26] In fact, Duncan was the first Black person to be a regular on a variety show. In 1957, he became the first Black performer to joinBob Hopes USO troop as they entertained U.S. troops in the Pacific for Christmas. Get Started . On most episodes, Duncan also teamed up with fellow dancers Bobby Burgess . On 9-25-1933, Arthur Duncan was born. This event took place in the Creole Lounge of the Hacienda International Hotel. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS aid: '769722', tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', However, when Betty White's show reached a national audience, television stations in the Jim Crow South threatened a boycott if Duncan remained on the show. As in 2023, Arthur Duncan's age is 89 years. Tap dancer Arthur Duncan early in his career. Sign up here for exclusive access to all your favorite celebrities and breaking entertainment news! I was aggressive and curious and got in the way. However, Albert was very active in the film world and soon chose to leave the show to film the classicRoman Holiday. --appeared at the Basin Street West in Los Angeles with Lionel Hampton. Duncan claimed that Castle had a bigger influence on him and his musicality. and Stage Appearances by Arthur Duncan, 1992: Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke. | READ MORE. Duncan decided to take a six-month sabbatical to see what this show business was all about.He never returned to school. White who became a lifelong friend and later starred in The Golden Girls pointedly refused demands from Southern affiliates to have Duncan removed from her show. I know that. Tap dancer Arthur Duncan performs with Disney characters in this undated photo. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Arthur Duncan during his final show in Chicago with dancer Reggio McLaughlin. Lawrence Welk--Band leader, director of the Lawrence Welk Show. There, he credited White to his success and starting his career. In 2018, he surprised Sheryl Underwood on "The Talk," who had called him her inspiration to take up tap dancing. Television, Movie. 2023 historyguy.com. So they had to help me to get rid of me. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Anyone can read what you share. Oakland Post (1968-1981), Apr 24 1979, p. 14. "[10] The stress of doing so caused the look on his face to be strained, "wavering between smarmy and scared, the smile of a man concerned about the pistol sticking into his back. (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: [] }; Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. [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. Levet B Duncan 1885 - 1933. Arthur Duncan was an American tap dancer who gained fame as the first African-American performer on the popular Lawrence Welk Show. Whos the richest Dancer in the world? So, how much is Arthur Duncan worth at the age of 90 years old? Following his TV debut on "The Jerry Colonna Show" in 1951, Duncan landed a job on "The Betty White Show" three years later. Despite the Great Depression, Hollywood and popular film production flourished. Declared a "tap dancer's summit," the event's jazz tap performance included Steve Condos, Howard Sandman Sims, Savion Glover, Bunny Briggs, Jimmy Slyde, and Gregory Hines. He served as a reminder that tap would always live somewhere, through someones feet, Jason Samuels Smith, a tap dancer, choreographer and director, tells the Post. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. We will continue to update information on Arthur Duncans parents. In 2003, Duncan was featured on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, where he represented "the eldest of three generations of tap". Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. Arthur Duncan Dancing to "I'm Walking," with the pretty Welk girls. pos: 'right_rail_1', ]); Introduced by Welk, the dancer was said to be "a credit to his race and to the entertainment profession. 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. Required fields are marked *. Once he got back into the atmosphere of what we do, he was back in his zone, Mr. McLaughlin said by phone. Dancer, teacher and entertainer Skip Cunningham used to admire Duncan from afar on the weekly broadcasts. He enrolled in Pasadena City College after serving in World War II, but the stage continued to call to him. His children spend their billions on real estate, like the. He isnt afraid to dance with anyone of any generation; he had a willing, fiery, fearless spirit.. The 89-year-old American dancer has done well thus far. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 88 years old? He was the first African-American regular on a variety television show. Though he tapped alone for the most part, he danced with both Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel on the show. Gordon. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday. Genealogy profile for Duncan McArthur Genealogy for Duncan McArthur (deceased) family tree on Geni, with over 245 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Arthur Duncan passed away January 4, 2023 of complications of a stroke and pneumonia. A Brief History of Steamboat Racing in the U.S. Texas-Born Italian Noble Evicted From Her 16th-Century Villa. Arthur Duncan, who is currently 87 years old, is an African-American tap dancer and entertainer. Bobby Burgess--Singer and dancer on the Lawrence Welk Show. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Arthur Chester Duncan (September 25, 1925 - January 4, 2023) was an American tap dancer, also called an "Entertainer's Entertainer," [1] known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982. In partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment. Sales Partnership Solutions 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,. 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. He first appeared on the show as a guest in 1964[17] and shortly after was offered a permanent spot as a member of Welk's "musical family. Parents. Duncan honed his skills as big bands which often hired tappers made way for rock bands, and jazz players who often made their rhythmic inventions alongside hoofers moved to smaller venues and more experimental musical forms for which tap dancers need not apply. Subscribe to Newsletter After fighting for his country in WWII, Duncan danced all across Europe. Duncan was born on Sept. 25, 1925, in Pasadena, the sixth of 13 children to Corabel LaMar and James Alfred Ernest Duncan, who worked as a merchant seaman before settling in Southern California,. page_type: 'article', In the next decade, he performed at clubs and theaters in the United States, Australia and Europe (Switzerland was his base of operations for a while), entertained troops on U.S.O. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Unavailable. Arthur Duncan's net worth The education details are not available at this time. Forty years later, she wants a judge to drop the case against him. He performed with Betty Whiteon the reality seriesLittle Big Shots: Forever Young. His wife, Carole Carbone Duncan, confirmed the death. Actor: Tap. This means that White had already made history by making Duncan the first Black series regular on a talk show. I heard that. Born Aug. 5, 1924, in Castlewood, Lawrence County, he was the son of William L.. tours with Bob Hope and appeared on television. They have imagination and don't like planning things in advance. [12], In 1954, Duncan first appeared on The Betty White Show and quickly became a regular performer. Duncan, who was born September 25, 1925, in Pasadena, California, was a professional dancer from his teen years. Never had a bad word to say about anybody. Duncans skilled footwork delighted many viewers, but some were rankled by his inclusion in the shows cast. It is a Platform where Influencers can meet up, Collaborate, Get Collaboration opportunities from Brands, and discuss common interests. Soon he was studying formally, getting a discount because his father volunteered to help out at the dance studio. Geillis is the thrill and mystery factor in the endless romance saga Outlander.She was the one character in the show who kept the fans guessing "how" and "why" throughout the first three seasons. You never know whos out there that can help you., Mr. Duncan performed long enough to be part of a tap dance boomlet in the 1980s and 90s inspired in part by Mr. Hiness performances in the Broadway musicals Sophisticated Ladies and Jellys Last Jam, which also featured Mr. Glover, who later choreographed and starred in the Broadway dance musical Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk.. Spouse(s) Abbie Iberia Langford 1906 - 1988. She first appeared as a healer wife of an influential man, a procurator fiscal by occupation, Arthur Duncan. 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. aid: '769722', 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. } A full body orgasm at the L.A. Phil? 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. --starred in his own variety television show in Australia. Duncan gave Underwood flowers to celebrate her return to tap dancing. 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. Privacy Policy | Arthur Duncan was drafted into a dance team with two friends while in school. It was, according to the Library of Congress, a unique and risky position. His spouse is Donna Duncan. Hed use the newspaper gig to get into fine restaurants, where the patrons included performers from the Pasadena Playhouse. ), 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. Mr. Duncan danced into his 90s; his final onstage performance was last June with Reginald (Reggio the Hoofer) McLaughlin at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Arthur Duncan was born on September 25, 1933. Ruling Planet: Arthur Duncan has a ruling planet of Venus and has a ruling planet of Venus and by astrological associations Friday is ruled by Venus. 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. Discover Arthur Duncan's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Arthur Duncan is revered, celebrated and honored, not only for his amazing performances on the Lawrence Welk show, but for even more in his long and illustrious career.", She went on, "As a World War II veteran, Arthur will receive a military committal service at 1:15 PM on January 25 at Riverside Memorial Veterans Cemetery. "The History Guy" is a Registered Trademark. 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. Arthur was deceptively energetic, Mr. Smith said in a phone interview. 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. Partipilo, Vic. Duncan disliked talking about how he overcame racism, his personal life and his age. Average Age & Life Expectancy Arthur Duncan lived 16 years shorter than the average Duncan family member when he died at the age of 55. Terms of Use | In 1988, around March 10 through 13, he played Mr. Magix in the Long Beach Civic Light Opera's "My One and Only" a musical parody that first opened on Broadway in 1983 and won three Tony Awards. In the later 1970s and early 1980s, when racial taboos had eased, Duncan did perform choral dance numbers with Mary Lou Metzger and Anacani. After he was hired to appear on Betty Whites nationally broadcast variety show, some Southern stations threatened to boycott the show to protest the appearance of a Black performer on it. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. We connect brands with social media talent to create quality sponsored content. 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. Contribute to this page Suggest an edit or add missing content Learn more about contributing Edit page More from this person In 2019, he married his longtime friend and companion Carole Carbone. 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. Duncan elected to overlook racial slights. We will update Arthur Duncan's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. Duncan was best known for his 18-year run on The Lawrence Welk Show as the only Black cast member, and is widely regarded as a trailblazer for a mainstream television variety show. 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. According to numerology, Arthur Duncan's Life Path Number is 5. Despite these early challenges, Duncan remained on the series from 1964 to 1982. Stars show off their style at New York Fashion Week! [29], 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. 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!. SistersInc. For a while, working in a drugstore motivated him to study to be a pharmacist at Pasadena City College, but he eventually left the school for show business. He is best known for being a Dancer. His beloved wife, Carol, describes Arthur as a 'gentle soul' and that he was. Thats how it works.. 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.. Once more details are available on who he is dating, we will update this section. cat: 'entertainment', [23] A year later, Duncan performed at San Francisco's Kimball's East, alongside Robert L. Reed. 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. We also cover here his sister, brother, and relatives information. [1], In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual "Tap Extravaganza" in New York City. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', [21], The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers. DEATH DATE Jan 4, 2023 (age 97) #150153 Most Popular. Inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame in 2020. Dancer Brittany Cherrys Biography: Age, Height, Jelloapocalypse Wiki Biography, age, real name/fac Former Viner-Instagrammer - Evan Breen. They couldnt have picked a better person like that. tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Duncan performed in night clubs and made his television debut on a variety show in 1951. Duncans daring edge-to-edge slides clearly made the pianist nervous. [24], Duncan's career was not diminished in the turn of the century. As young adults during the McCarthy Era, many members of this generation felt it was dangerous to speak out. Here we will cover everything about his family. 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. "[8] In fact, "his forearms tended to swing stiffly from the elbow."[9]. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', He always dressed to the nines. He is popular for being a Dancer. Duncan danced and sang on the show from 1964 to the show's finale in 1982. Spouse(s) Vennia L Duncan 1917 - Unknown. Music's biggest stars hit the red carpet at the 2023 Grammys! More information on Arthur Duncan can be found here. Duncan always went where the work was: I went to Australia on a 10-day job. tude.cmd.push(function() { 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. Black Men XCEL This year is in phase of upward cycle, representing growth so that Arthur Duncan can start doing new things. Im pulling out some of the toughest steps and moves and phrases, and hes throwing them back at me. People of this zodiac sign like harmony, gentleness, sharing with others, the outdoors, and dislike violence, injustice, loudmouths, conformity. Arthur Duncan and Betty White, reunited by Steve Harvey. The number danced was choreographed by Jason Samuels Smith and received an Emmy Award. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { And I auditioned everywhere, he told The Californian, a newspaper in Salinas, in 1997. Life Path Number 5 are travelers and seekers of a higher truth, whatever that means for them. The seven others consisted of Dennis Day, Alan Hale Jr., David Nelson, Peggy Lennon, and Barbara Hale and her husband, Bill Williams. Until we meet again, rest in peace, my precious friend.". There were audience members who were not thrilled to have a Black person on the show, which also toured around the country, said Ralna English, a dancer and longtime leading singer for the Welk troupe. He liked it, and began to take tap lessons. Birthplace Pasadena , CA. LaMar, Lawrence F. "FAR WESTERN SOCIETY." Parents. 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. Witnesses offer conflicting accounts, Mars Voltas lead singer broke with Scientology and reunited with the band. What bags are affected? Arthur Joe Duncan was born circa 1934, at birth place, Texas, to Roy A Duncan and Annie Joe Duncan. and breaking entertainment news! His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. --appeared as a guest on the Lawrence Welk show. 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. . baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Women of Power Summit In a word: tenacity.. He improved with tap lessons and danced on local street corners, picking up $13 or $14 a day to help his parents with the expense of raising 13 children. Mr. Duncan performed in the 1989 film Tap with Mr. Hines, Mr. Davis, Harold Nicholas and Howard (Sandman) Sims, and in the short film Tap Heat (2004), a story told in dance steps, without words, in which Mr. Duncan, then in his late 70s, and the young tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith challenge each other. Tap dancer who is known for performing on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982. Lum Junior Duncan 1931 - 1989. But you dont get that anymore., Still, he encouraged young dancers to remain committed to the art. 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. Arthur Duncan Birth Name: Arthur Duncan Occupation: Dancer Born In: Pasadena Birthdate: September 25, 1933 Age: 89 years old (as of 2023) Ethnicity: Unknown Nationality: American Sexuality: N/A Arthur Duncan was born on the 25th of September, 1933. Arthur Chester Duncan was born on Sept. 25, 1925, in Pasadena, Calif., to James and Corabel (Lamar) Duncan. Duncan died Jan. 4 at a care center near his home in Moreno Valley. ", Duncan was able to celebrate White in 2017 on Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young" and at a 2018 taping of the special "Betty White: First Lady of Television.". He earned money selling newspapers at a street corner hed get extra change by doing a few steps. He knew his public. INFORMATION Duncan was Blackand at a time when racial segregation was institutionalized in the United States, he shared the stage with white performers. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 September. subcat: '', Always a gentleman.. [34] Some years later, the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. His previous marriage, to Donna Pena, ended in divorce. He was really not just a mentor but an idol for us in the tap community.. Arthur Duncan took dance lessons with Willie Covan and Nick Castle. You will find here his father and mother's names and their profession. After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was "discovered" by Lawrence Welk's personal manager, Sam Lutz. }); EVENTS Arthur Duncan was born in Pasadena, United States. Duncan appeared alongside seven others of "TVs greatest entertainers" in a "salute to the 'golden days of television.'" pos: 'right_rail_3', He also served in the Army where he spent much of his time performing for troops receiving his discharge in 1946. env: 'prod', } Arthur Duncan Family Background & Career. When is Arthur Duncans birthday? } Chinese Zodiac: Arthur Duncan was born in the Year of the Rabbit. [32], Duncan died of a stroke and pneumonia in Moreno Valley, California, on January 4, 2023, at the age of 97. The expandable sections provided below outline his siblings, descendants and ancestors as best understood at this time of writing and indeed perhaps goes part way to . Hes won the top investigative reporting prize from the L.A. Press Club and print Journalist of the Year from the L.A. Society of Professional Journalists chapter. Chris Pizzello/Invision, via Chris Pizzello, via Invision, via Associated Press. Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. William Arthur Duncan family tree Family tree Explore more family trees. The 89-year-old dancer was born in Pasadena. 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. Arthur Duncan Family Member and Details Some people might be curious about Arthur Duncan's family. Like many famous people and celebrities, Arthur Duncan keeps his personal life private. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. Arthur Duncan has 3 siblings in His family: Mike Duncan, John David Duncan, Sal Duncan Gordon. As . You could go around to amateur shows and have an opportunity to practice, or hone your talents if you had any, he said. 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.