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. So, how much is Arthur Duncan worth at the age of 90 years old? Gold Medal flour recalled due to salmonella contamination. Published on December 31, 2021 05:48 PM. Arthur Duncan Net Worth Stats Three years later, one of the Los Angeles-area shows co-hosts, Eddie Albert was given his own eponymous spin-off. 2023 Telepictures Productions Inc. Sign up here for exclusive access to all your favorite celebrities and breaking entertainment news! The Lawrence Welk Show (1964-1982)as Himself / Featured Dancer / Himself - Dancer / Him, Dream Girl of '67 (1967)as Himself - Bachelor Judge, Lawrence Welk's TV Treasures (2007)as Thanks, Your email address will not be published. page_type: 'article', Born on September 25, 1933 in Australia, Arthur Duncan started his career as dancer . One taught the others a basic time step, and Arthur was soon tapping. Our parents were very concerned about education and well-being, Duncan said. Terms of Use Duncan's longest gig was appearing on over 200 episodes of "The Lawrence Welk Show," from 1962-1982, on which he was the only Black dancer. Arthur Duncan- (September 25, 1925 - January 4, 2023) . The 89-year-old dancer was born in Pasadena. And I auditioned everywhere, he told The Californian, a newspaper in Salinas, in 1997. Tap was no longer the dance of the streets, concert halls or Broadway. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { The show had trouble reaching an audience its time slot was changed several times and was canceled at the end of the year. Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6619. Duncan performed in night clubs and made his television debut on a variety show in 1951. Survived by his wife, a step-son Sean Carbone, two step-grandchildren, two sisters, Mabel Duncan, and Eleanor Starr, and a brother, Michael. Tap greats were still around, but jobs had long ago dried up. On 9-25-1933, Arthur Duncan was born. Mr. Duncan said he had been unaware of the controversy over his role on the show until he read Ms. Whites memoir. When he returned to the U.S., Duncan auditioned for The Lawrence Welk Show, a popular variety series that featured what Welk described as champagne musiceasy-listening tunesand a family of musicians, singers and dancers. [14], In 1957, Duncan joined Bob Hope's troupe touring U.S. military bases as a part of the United Service Organization (USO), making him the first African American to be part of that 100-member group. Discover what happened on this day. tude.cmd.push(function() { url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', On the weekly Welk show, Arthur Duncan usually had one solo tap dancing performance, accompanied by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. Registry of Corporate Directors. James Duncan later worked for a local oil company, Duncan recalled, and the family became part of a tightknit Black community in the Pasadena area that valued hard work, thrift and education. Arthur Joe Duncan was born circa 1934, at birth place, Texas, to Roy A Duncan and Annie Joe Duncan. The greatest overall compatibility with Libra is Aries and Sagittarius. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. His previous marriage, to Donna Pena, ended in divorce. Lawrence Welk--Band leader, director of the Lawrence Welk Show. The seven others consisted of Dennis Day, Alan Hale Jr., David Nelson, Peggy Lennon, and Barbara Hale and her husband, Bill Williams. Subscribe to Newsletter 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. } You will find here his father and mother's names and their profession. He had ten siblings including John David Duncan and Sal Duncan Gordon. Arthur Duncan Family Member and Details Some people might be curious about Arthur Duncan's family. The strengths of this sign are being cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social, while weaknesses can be indecisive, holding a grudge and self-pity. Career and Life Highlights of Arthur Duncan. tude.cmd.push(function() { Duncan was inducted into the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame in 2020. Children Show all. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; (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: [] }; They couldnt have picked a better person like that. Levet B Duncan 1885 - 1933. Public Member Trees. He isnt afraid to dance with anyone of any generation; he had a willing, fiery, fearless spirit.. Partipilo, Vic. The tap dancer said it was "the best thing I could have done to help my country. She felt paralyzed: L.A. woman sues Big Surs Esalen Institute for alleged use of video with N-word in class. Arthur Duncan during his final show in Chicago with dancer Reggio McLaughlin. Often performed with Arthur Duncan and Jack Imel. 2023 historyguy.com. 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. He joined movies and tvshows named Tap (1989), The Lawrence Welk Show (1955 1982), Diagnosis Murder (1992) and Alpha Male (2006). 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.. What Do We Mackenzie Dipman from "Love Island" return is not Lawrence Welk: Milestones & Memories - A Musical Family Reunion. Privacy Statement 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.. So they had to help me to get rid of me. He earned money selling newspapers at a street corner hed get extra change by doing a few steps. In 1954, a spirited tap dancer named Arthur Duncan appeared on several episodes of The Betty White Show, a daytime talk series hosted by the future Golden Girl. "[27] Unfortunately, this confined him and his dance moves, not allowing him to experiment, which is a key element of tap dancing. Arthur lived in 1935, at address, Texas. We have estimated 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. He soon joined the program, with its bubbly brand of schmaltzy Champagne music. Sammy Davis told me, Perform in front of an audience as often as you can. Arthur Duncan's Life Path Number is 5, he is resourceful, ambitious, and extremely focused on his objectives, putting all of his heart and energy into work and personal projects. In a word: tenacity.. 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. Get Started . I said, Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she said. Chinese Zodiac: Arthur Duncan was born in the Year of the Rabbit. [34], In 2008, he was presented with an honorary Doctor of Performing Arts in American Dance degree also from Oklahoma City University. Live with it. 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. DUNCAN - A private service for Arthur Daniel Duncan, who died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, will be held for the family in Mountville Cemetery. His battles with the church arent over, How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! pos: 'right_rail_3', 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. People of this zodiac sign like harmony, gentleness, sharing with others, the outdoors, and dislike violence, injustice, loudmouths, conformity. 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. Chris Pizzello/Invision, via Chris Pizzello, via Invision, via Associated Press. [34] In 2006, he was honored at the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival for his "lifetime contribution to the art of tap dance", earning a tribute. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. More information on Arthur Duncan can be found here. According to numerology, Arthur Duncan's Life Path Number is 5. Stars hit the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards 2023! "On Location." It indicates that He is on life path 5. He was the first African-American regular on a variety television show. Duncan was ultimately offered a full-time spot, making him the shows only regular Black performer. On most episodes, Duncan also teamed up with fellow dancers Bobby Burgess . [24], Duncan's career was not diminished in the turn of the century. Parents. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 88 years old? Generation. Live with it.. He toured with the Jimmy Rodgers Show, and had his own television variety show in Australia. [23] A year later, Duncan performed at San Francisco's Kimball's East, alongside Robert L. Reed. [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. Arthur Duncans mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. Brigit Katz He was 97. These celebs weren't afraid to show some PDA. He performed with Betty White on the reality seriesLittle Big Shots: Forever Young. subcat: '', 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. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Masthead, Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. 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. I was aggressive and curious and got in the way. In 2017, White reunited with then 83-year-old tap dancer Arthur Duncan, whom she had helped . SistersInc. Amid the overt racism,The Betty White Show may have also been quietly sabotaged by brands who chose to stay away from the controversy. Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. Television, Movie. They seldom rely on other people in daily life, which can make them impatient when dealing with others. Kathie Walling, About Tap Dancer Arthur Duncan, Tap Dancing Resources, accessed May 2, 2022, http://www.tapdancingresources.com/dancers/arthur-duncan/. He started his venture in show business at 13 by dancing in a quartet atMcKinley Junior High School. Arthur Duncan. ", 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.". tag: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', 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. Arthur Duncan. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', cat: 'entertainment', He was the first African-American regular on a variety television show. The two seemed close to their father James Duncan and one of their sisters, Savaletta D. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. A Brief History of Steamboat Racing in the U.S. Texas-Born Italian Noble Evicted From Her 16th-Century Villa. "[26] In fact, Duncan was the first Black person to be a regular on a variety show. We will update Arthur Duncan's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. | and Stage Appearances by Arthur Duncan, 1992: Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke. During the 1960s, there were only two shows on television where you could see tap dancing every week: Friday on The Mickey Mouse Club for Talent Round-Up Day, and Sundays with Arthur Duncan with a featured dance on The Lawrence Welk Show, said dance historian Rusty Frank, author of Tap! For a few years Arthur worked in Australia, where he was a popular performer who was even offered his own TV show. 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, according to family members and Duncan himself during an interview in August. Maria Tallchief, Zizi Jeanmaire, and Moira Shearer were also His acquaintances. Arthur Duncan passed away January 4, 2023 of complications of a stroke and pneumonia. Born in Pasadena, California, Duncan entered Pasadena City College to study pharmacy, but left school to pursue a career in show business. A woman who ran a local nightclub gave him a chance. | READ MORE. Mr. Duncan in an undated photo. [31], Little is known about Duncan's personal life, but at one point in his life, Duncan served in the army as an army private, while one of his brothers, Wilbur, was in the navy. 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 variety television program. pos: 'right_rail_2', This article will clarify Arthur Duncan's Wife, Family, Wiki, Movies And Tv Shows, Obituary, Died, Dies, Youtube, and other information. Most biographies during his lifetime had used the birth year of 1933, a mistake which he never corrected, owing to the fact that "he never wanted to discuss anything personal," according to his wife. 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. [21], The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers. He also appeared in the 1989 feature film "Tap" and on "Columbo" (1998). [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. In terms of expression, he aimed to "please old-timers. 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. Howard Blume covers education for the Los Angeles Times. 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. It was, according to the Library of Congress, a unique and risky position. In the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television, Mr. Duncan said, People in the South resented me being on the show, and they wanted me thrown out., Im sorry, but, you know, he stays, she recalled saying to NBC. Lawrence Welk Show Fans, Arthur Duncan - Tap Dancer - Appreciated by Lawrence Welk, Youtube, October 8, 2017, video, 2:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvvyDEMk7xM&ab_channel=LawrenceWelkShowFans.