betty white 1954 arthur duncan betty white 1954 arthur duncan

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. He said it was White who gave him his break. Live with it." She then gave Duncan even more airtime. env: 'prod', NBCArthur Duncan (left) and Betty White (seated) at their reunion on Steve Harveys Little Big Shots: Forever Young in 2017. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven. (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 was a tap dancer and singer known for his regular appearances on "The Betty White Show" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." Died: January 4, 2023 ( Who else died on January 4? However, Betty White wasnt always such a universally loved figure as the cancellation of The Betty White Show in 1954 goes to show. Betty White In Person (1987). You dont need to be young or rich or particularly well-educated to treat someone with respect or compassion. 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. 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. The 98-year-old actress is loved by almost all and has had an unbelievably successful career spanning more than eight decades. Arthur Duncan performed wherever he could. What really defines Betty Whites legacy is her sheer willingness to go against the grain and subvert expectations. Live with it. , Betty White, one of the most endearing and enduring faces on television, dies at 99. ABOUT . baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', A long and successful career followed, including several film and TV appearances. 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. Betty White served as both host and producer. As the host and producer, White hired young Black tap dancer Arthur Duncan to perform. Later on, he became the first African-American regular on a variety program. Contact But even in California, Duncans regular presence on the show drew criticism. White was briefly married to U.S. army pilot Dick Barker in 1945.Two years later, White wed Hollywood agent Lane Allen, whom she divorced in 1949. subcat: '', Betty White, known for her role as Rose Nylund on 'Golden Girls,' dies. In 1954, Ms. White was pressured to replace Mr. Duncan, a dancer who went on to receive . Betty White received criticism for having Duncan as a tap dancer in her own show The Betty White Show (1954). "Well, Betty wrote back and said: 'needless to say, we used Arthur Duncan every opportunity we could,'" he said. But this was 1954 and racial inequality was still rife. Deal with it and gave Duncan more airtime. Sign up for notifications from Insider! At a time when racial segregation was at boiling point, there were strong calls from different quarters to remove a tap dancer named Arthur Duncan from her show. . It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. Duncan, who is black, was on the show when it went national and southern states started complaining about his inclusion in the show. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. The legendary dancer discussed how Betty White gave him his first job on TV, even though the color of his skin was a real problem for some people. Arthur said, "She . She just cared about giving people the respect they deserve. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured entertainment segments that are typical of variety shows. As in, the year the Supreme Court handed down the Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregated schools. 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. pos: 'right_rail_3', She also starred in and produced The Betty. Duncan credits White for starting his career. White went on to game shows, the talk-show circuit and eventually mega-stardom as Rose Nylund on the 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.. Betty Marion White (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021) was an American actress and comedian. White hired a female director and Arthur Duncan, an African American actor, . } Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. 1956) . Later on, Arthur was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welks personal manager and was invited to perform as part of Welks musical family.. Nick Castle Jr. had become a director and asked Duncan to dance his 1989 film Tap, starring Sammy Davis Jr. Duncan obliged, but his accolades didnt end there. The almost-centenarian was an icon in every sense of the word: with a career spanning eighty years, she marked a turning point for women in entertainment. Live with it: Betty White defied racist demands in 1954. 'The Betty White Show' saw her perform songs and entertain viewers with skits and interviews with guests. And all through the South, there was this whole ruckus, White remembered in the doc. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. aid: '769722', Left: Arthur Duncan/Betty White Show/NBC Right: American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. After the Pacific tour, Duncan spent several years performing at countless venues across Europe. 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. Betty White was in "great spirits" and "looked amazing" while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. Among White's decisions as host and producer were to hire a female director and make Arthur Duncan, who is Black, a series regular. By the 1960s, White had made many appearances on television game shows. Arthur admits that Betty helped get him the kind of exposure that really launched his career. Goodbye to Betty White, popular cultures beloved (and saucy) great-grandma. # ThankYouForBeingAFriend 11:37 AM - 31 Dec 2021 10,874 Retweets 54,906 Likes Stars Betty White George Tibbles Dick Cathcart See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 2 User reviews Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy 1 nomination total Im ready to go now, he morbidly joked as White approached. "I'm ready to go now," he 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. A movie event planned prior to her death to . Her response: "I'm sorry. And it was never a question at all.. The entertainment world is mourning beloved actress Betty White, "our national treasure." The "Golden Girls" and "Mary Tyler Moore" star died Dec. 31. A pioneer of early television with a career spanning almost seven decades, she was noted for her vast body of work in entertainment and for being one of the first women to work both in front of and behind the camera. This was on The Lawrence Welk Show. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on, Justin Timberlake posts sweet birthday message for 'dream of a partner' Jessica Biel, Tom Sizemore, star of 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Heat,' dies at 61 after brain aneurysm, Josh Hartnett is done talking about his break from Hollywood but ready to make fun of actors: 'We're the worst', Michael B. Jordan admits muscle gain for 'Creed' has been harder as he's gotten older, Billy Bush suggests Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes start their own show after ABC exit: 'They've got something that works'. Black Men XCEL The special is called Betty White: First Lady of Television. Betty White gave Arthur his first job on her televised variety show, The Betty White Show. About NBC first aired in 1954. One particular way in which Ms. White refused to bow to systemic racism was by insisting Arthur Duncan, a Black dancer, remain on her 1950s show, The Betty White Show.. INFORMATION White died on Friday, just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday, news that prompted a look back on a career that included advocacy on many fronts. This was in 1954. Duncan recalled the furor and the actor backing him during those testing times. It was also the year segregation in public schools was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Arthur Duncan was honored in 2004 and 2006 at the Tap Extravaganza in New York and the 15th Annual St. Louis Tap Dance Festival. Most incredibly, she was also a champion of LGBT equality. But his first performance was more than enough for Southern racists to threaten NBC with a boycott if he continued to be part of the lineup. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at Reelblack@mail.com and info@reelblack.com with details and it will be promptly removed. She set the standard, and we will forever be grateful. She just stood up for her beliefs, said Duncan. Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. You never call. Sales Partnership Solutions Now she wants restitution. In 1954, Betty White was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a black tap dancer, on her show. From left, producer Steve Boettcher, Arthur Duncan, Georgia Engel and Gavin . In the 1950s, representation on television was still a controversial subject, and the gatekeepers of the industry werent even keen on having women run shows. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', According to HITC, White's talk show was canceled in the mid-1950s because of his continued appearances on the show. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS Arthur had seen everything he needed to see in life after reuniting with Betty. Over 60 years later,Whiteand Duncan were reunited on Little Big Shots: Forever Young to Duncans surprise. Randy Shropshire/Getty ImagesFrom left to right: Arthur Duncan, director Dean Hargrove, actor Norman LLoyd, and cinematographer Stephen Poster at a screening of Tap World in Los Angeles, California, in 2015. ': Betty White's quips and quotes through the years. Duncan reserved high praise for White during an appearance in a 2018 documentary about her titled 'Betty White: First Lady of Television.' One Piece episode 1054 delayed, new release date confirmed, {{#media.media_details}} {{#media.focal_point}}. White, who died Friday, would have turned 100 on Jan. 17. Background [ edit] In December 1957, he became the first Black man to join Bob Hopes 100-member troupe to tour U.S. military bases worldwide. Betty imbued charm, wit, and sincerity at each and every turn, always ready to poke fun at herself and those around her, eager to uncover both the humanity in comedy and the comedy in humanity. And he got his start in no small part thanks to Betty White. The cancellation of her variety and talk show came after a huge backlash surrounding the appearance of Arthur Duncan. The comedian had a natural affinity towards animals, particularly elephants and gorillas. "I'm sorry. ', Betty White's quips and quotes through the years, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Born on Sept. 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, Arthur Duncan gravitated to the life of a performer from a very young age. At one point, the network threatened to take her off the air for having a Black man repeatedly appear on the show, but she wouldnt budge. 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. Goalcast is an inspiring community for achievers dedicated to helping you improve all aspects of your life. Betty White spent over seven decades in front and behind the camera. Theres a reason why shes widely celebrated as a trailblazer of her generation: she didnt offer any excuses or apologies. Subscribe to Newsletter Arthur Duncan, 97, tap dancer (The Lawrence Welk Show, The Betty White Show) (b. I did something a little different, Duncan told her. When The Betty White Show was rolled out on TV channels across the US, many stations and viewers in southern US states threatened to boycott the show unless Arthur Duncan was removed owing to the segregation laws and attitudes towards race that were prevalent at the time. Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh. Copywriter by day, true crime enthusiast by night - she has a passion for uncovering perspectives that capture the full spectrum of human nature. Arthur even became the first African-American regular on a variety show when he appeared on, , or leave your comments below. This soon led to the show's cancellation. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', tude.cmd.push(function() { Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it.". Her show was cancelled afterwards. Listen to Betty White. You never ask me out," per People. 3. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Age isnt an excuse to be horrible to other people. CNN . Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 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. -----#####Reelblack's mission is to educate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. Have something to tell us about this article? So on her nationally televised The Betty White Show, she sang, interviewed guests, performed in skits and read the commercials live. There was the time she ignored criticism about having Arthur Duncan, . Tell us what you think! url: 'betty,whites,controversial,hire,of,tap,dancer,arthur,duncan,made,history,in,more,ways,than,one', Then, learn about the first African-American photographers and their portraits. Supervising Producer, Yahoo Entertainment, Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of, It was a big opportunity for Arthur, who turned it into a career in show business that has lasted more than 60 years. Duncan was later discovered by big band leaderLawrence Welk who invited him onto his ABC variety show. Decades later, in the doc, he was still in awe of her. I am one bad ass bitch. The Betty White Show gave tap dancing star Arthur Duncan his big break but his appearance on the show wasnt universally popular at all. When she was encouraged to take him off because of the color of his skin, she politely declined.. So, needless to say, Arthur was pretty excited when Betty showed up onstage and surprised him. White gave it to him, he recounted in the 2018 documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television.. "I hope we have a chance to visit after this is over," Duncan told White, to which she replied: "Oh, I hope so. Then, in 1964, he was scouted by Sam Lutz, the manager of The Lawrence Welk Show, and invited to come on as a guest. Duncan looked at White and joked that his life was now complete. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Getty Images. You can empower others simply by speaking up when the opportunity arises. ', 'What could be better than show business? 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. He we as a tap dancer and singer who White was quite fond of and wanted to help him get more exposure. The entertainer, in her early 30s at the time, was center stage, speaking to the young Black tap dancer seated on her right. Women of Power Summit Little Big Shots: Forever Young airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Whats more intriguing is that this wasnt Bettys sole act of defiance within the show; she interviewed a Black child on the special when it was considered controversial to do so. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', After learning about Arthur Duncan, read about how Hattie McDaniel became the first Black Oscar winner. White's death, at the age of 99, was announced on Friday. White, a boundary-breaking television star by 1952, then became the first woman to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth, which she also starred in. Watch The Betty White Show (November 29th, 1954) 1 Video 3 Photos Family Music Talk-Show Daytime show with Betty White talking to guests, singing with the orchestra, etc. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', Less than three weeks before her 100th birthday, the actress . divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Betty White, whose more than 80-year career included Emmy-winning roles on sitcoms "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," died on Dec. 31. "I'm sorry, but he staysLive with it!" Born in Pasadena, California, Duncan entered show business at age 13, when he was a member of a dance quartet that performed at McKinley Junior High School in Pasadena, California. Steve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', She just prioritized building earnest relationships with people, and if progress came as a result, no problem. Underwood said Duncan was her inspiration for tap dancing. 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. She pledged her support for same-sex marriage, saying, If a couple has been together all that time and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones I think its fine if they want to get married. Additionally, she didnt understand how some people could be anti-something. She was a proponent of minding her business, standing up for the oppressed, and carving her unique place in the culture through entertainment. Reunited with White on "Little Big Shots," Duncan reignited trademark banter they used to have on her show. Betty White pushed back against pressure for her to stop featuring a Black tap dancer on her show in 1954, The Washington Post reported. And to this day, the 87-year-old tap dances when the mood strikes. But when the shows reach was extended beyond LA, Duncans inclusion as part of the cast made waves across the Jim Crow South. Arthur, did you have a nice weekend? Betty White asked Arthur Duncan. Arthur Duncan, an 83-year-old tap dancer, was on the premiere of Steve Harvey 's Little Big Shots: Forever Young. But her decision to defy conventional norms and balk at Southern naysayers allowed Duncan to go one to make history at least twice more. It didnt take long for the programs eponymous host to offer Duncan a permanent place in the shows musical family.. Duncan's . You never ask me out.. Betty White, also known as the First Lady of Television, wore many hats, as a comedian, a talk show host, an actress, and more. she bluntly told those that brought the matter to her, reported PEOPLE. The 33 Coziest Designer Bedrooms Ever. Women of Power TECH, PODCASTS 2. Tai Saint-Louis January 2, 2022 6442 Arthur Duncan and Betty White, reunited by Steve Harvey As the world mourns actress and comedienne Betty White, who passed away on Dec. 31, many are. On another episode, White interviewed a Black child during the childrens segment. Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is an American tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which, along with his earlier inclusion (despite Southern objections) on the 1954 Betty White Show, made him the first African-American regular on variety television programs.Born in Pasadena, California, Duncan entered show business at age 13, when he was a member of a dance quartet that performed at McKinley Junior High School in Pasadena, California.He later entered Pasadena City College to study pharmacy, but left to pursue a career in show business, touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and The Betty White Show. Thats when the show was renamed after White, and she took over as both host and producer. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. 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. The beloved actress was preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday with a big televised special that will still air despite her passing only a few weeks before the age . Duncan started touring with The Jimmie Rodgers Show and performing on Betty White's 1954 . She also told her critics to "live with it.". White hired Arthur Duncan as a dancer on her show. She had helped secure his first television job on her variety show 'The Betty White Show' and wasn't going to give in to the mob even if there was considerable opposition to it. Among her favorite guests was Arthur Duncan, an African-American musician from Pasadena, California, who briefly studied medicine before returning to his musical roots. Duncan, 88, was a regular featured performer on White's NBC variety talk show, The Betty White Show , in the . [5]After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz. Jan 1, 2022. A tap dancer with remarkable skill, Arthur Duncan was the first African American to be hired as a series regular on the variety shows of early television. 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. Duncan went on to have alustrouscareer inshow business and gained fame for being the first Black performer on The Lawrence Welk Show,according to The Library of Congress. kw: 'mandc,celebrity,entertainment-industry,racism', Arthur Duncan was invited onto The Betty White Show as a recurring performer for its one-season run in 1954. targeting: { She extended his airtime instead, and responded to racists with "I'm sorry. Life With Elizabeth ran until 1955; during 1954, White simultaneously presented her own variety show, her second Betty White show. } Racial justice wasnt the only focus of her activism, either. Twitter shares wild and wonderful stories about Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021. . subcat: '', He was 97. Wikimedia CommonsArthur Duncan became the first Black regular on a televised American variety show. Betty White was facing pressure from stations in the South but used Duncan even more until the show was canceled in 1954. After initially becoming a ratings success, a controversy surrounding Arthur Duncan and repeated scheduling changes resulted in The Betty White Shows quiet cancellation by NBC who did not renew the show for more episodes according to WFMU. White made a career playing sweet characters with hidden and hilarious grit, and that quality goes all the way back to her first televised variety show, where, as the host and producer, she defied racist demands to get rid of Duncan because he was Black. Betty White was born in 1922 and sliced bread was introduced in 1928. 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. 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. The comedian passed away on December 31, 2021, just weeks away from what would have been her 100th birthday. } When she's not writing or scouring the internet for ideas, you can find her playing Genshin Impact or eating Biriyani. White's team of talent included Black performer Arthur Duncan, who was about 21 at the time and looking for his big break. The Best Celebrity Furniture and Home Decor Lines. So it was a minor coup when Betty White got her own show in 1954 with full creative control. In the early 1950s, White faced criticism for featuring Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer and singer, on a few episodes of her variety talk show The Betty White Show.. In response, Betty White famously said Im sorry. "I was on the show and they had letters from Mississippi and elsewhere that some of the stations would not carry the show if I was permitted to stay on there," Duncan recalled said in a 2017 interview onSteve Harvey's "Little Big Shots: Forever Young.". . 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. Arthur Chester Duncan (September 25, 1925 - January 4, 2023) was an American tap dancer, also called an "Entertainer's Entertainer," known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982. "The Betty White Show" was short-lived, repeatedly rescheduled and eventually taken off air, per the Post. Part of her show would feature a young Black entertainer by the name of Arthur Duncan. 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. Her respond to pressure to stop featuring him was that people had to "live with it." The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. The show was a daytime talk show that also featured ente. How Gabriel Prosser Planned What Would Have Been The Largest Slave Rebellion In American History, Meet The Ken And Barbie Killers: Paul Bernardo And Karla Homolka, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. } 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, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show," The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center tweeted after her death. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { A Look at All of Betty White's Homes. targeting: { If White, 99, had it her way, she would have remained at her longtime marital home in Carmel, which she first built with her late husband, Allen Ludden, when they bought the land in 1978. After just one appearance, Duncan was asked to remain onThe Lawrence Welk Show, making him the first Black regular on a variety show. Duncan even tapped a routine in front of Betty White in a throwback to their time on her show from the 50s. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. But just who is Arthur Duncan and why did his appearance on The Betty White Show cause such controversy at the time? I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, he said. A colleague. Some facts about Betty White . We bring people together, change perceptions, and inspire actions that impact culture for good. as well as other partner offers and accept our. He went on to have a decades-long career as one of the first famous Black tap dancers in the US. 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. 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. 1937) Casey Hayden, 85, civil rights activist (b. subcat: '', The show was Duncan's first big break in the business and helped launch his career. A 1963 Klan bombing killed her sister and blinded her. Arthur first appeared on The Betty White Show in 1954. 1954) February 11 Howard Bragman, 66, public relations executive (b. ', Betty White dies at 99: Here are some of her greatest career moments. In a 2018 documentary honoring Bettys illustrious career, Arthur said, I credit Betty White for really getting me started in show business, in television. Betty herself wasnt blind to the outrage, but she wouldnt let the commotion, or as she said, the ruckus sway her in the least. Entrepreneurs Summit