Arthur Duncan (1925–2023), tap dancer on “The Betty White Show”
He was not on the list.
Arthur Duncan was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on “The Betty White Show” and “The Lawrence Welk Show.”
Duncan toured the world as a dancer and served in the U.S. Army before landing a regular spot on Betty White’s (1922–2021) early talk and variety show, “The Betty White Show,” in 1954. His appearances generated controversy; TV stations in the Jim Crow South threatened to boycott the show if Duncan wasn’t removed. White refused, saying, “Live with it.” He remained on the show, though it was canceled later in the year, and his appearances made him the first Black regular performer on a TV variety show. Duncan became even better known for his longtime role in the “musical family” of “The Lawrence Welk Show.” He danced on the beloved variety show from 1964 until its final season in 1982. Duncan also danced in the USO and appeared on TV shows including “Columbo” and “Diagnosis: Murder.” He made a cameo appearance in the movie “Tap.”
Not much can be found on Arthur 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. The two seemed close to their father James Duncan and one of their sisters, Savaletta D. Gordon.
Duncan died of a stroke and pneumonia in Moreno Valley, California, on January 4, 2023, at the age of 97. Upon his death, it was revealed that Duncan was in fact born in 1925. 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.
The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers. He made more TV guest appearances on Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke, Columbo with Peter Falk, and The Phil Donahue Show.
In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual "Tap Extravaganza" in New York City.
In 2006, Duncan was honored for his contributions to tap dance at the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Festival.
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.
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. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. Duncan gave Underwood flowers to celebrate her return to tap dancing.
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