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Arthur Duncan, 89, tap dancer (and only Black cast member) on The Lawrence Welk Show
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Diner
Jan 14, 2023, 8:25:33 PM1/14/23
to
Note that his Wikipedia page says he joined the Welk Show in 1964, while the report below says 1962.
https://extratv.com/2023/01/14/arthur-duncan-trailblazing-dancer-betty-white/
January 14, 2023
Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies at 89
Arthur Duncan, a gifted dancer whose appearance on one of Betty White's early TV shows prompted a showdown between southern censors and White, has died January 3. He was 89.
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... 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. His beloved wife, Carol, describes Arthur as a 'gentle soul' and that he was. Carol has plans in the future for a 'Celebration of Life'. Until we meet again, rest in peace, my precious friend."
Duncan, who was born September 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, was a professional dancer from his teen years. After fighting for his country in WWII, Duncan danced all across Europe.
Following his TV debut on "The Jerry Colonna Show" in 1951, Duncan landed a job on "The Betty White Show" three years later. When censors in the South objected to a series with an African-American regular, White's legendary reply was: "He stays. Live with it."
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."
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.
He also appeared in the 1989 feature film "Tap" and on "Columbo" (1998). In 2018, he surprised Sheryl Underwood on "The Talk," who had called him her inspiration to take up tap dancing.
Duncan is survived by his wife, Carol.
© 2023 Telepictures Productions Inc. In partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment
https://extratv.com/2023/01/14/arthur-duncan-trailblazing-dancer-betty-white/
January 14, 2023
Arthur Duncan, Trailblazing Dancer for Betty White, Lawrence Welk, Dies at 89
Arthur Duncan, a gifted dancer whose appearance on one of Betty White's early TV shows prompted a showdown between southern censors and White, has died January 3. He was 89.
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... 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. His beloved wife, Carol, describes Arthur as a 'gentle soul' and that he was. Carol has plans in the future for a 'Celebration of Life'. Until we meet again, rest in peace, my precious friend."
Duncan, who was born September 25, 1933, in Pasadena, California, was a professional dancer from his teen years. After fighting for his country in WWII, Duncan danced all across Europe.
Following his TV debut on "The Jerry Colonna Show" in 1951, Duncan landed a job on "The Betty White Show" three years later. When censors in the South objected to a series with an African-American regular, White's legendary reply was: "He stays. Live with it."
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."
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.
He also appeared in the 1989 feature film "Tap" and on "Columbo" (1998). In 2018, he surprised Sheryl Underwood on "The Talk," who had called him her inspiration to take up tap dancing.
Duncan is survived by his wife, Carol.
© 2023 Telepictures Productions Inc. In partnership with Warner Bros. Entertainment
That Derek
Jan 14, 2023, 9:08:25 PM1/14/23
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There was also a black drummer named Paul Humphries in the Welk orchestra near the end of the show's run.
Jason
Jan 15, 2023, 4:59:59 AM1/15/23
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A Friend
Jan 15, 2023, 7:21:29 AM1/15/23
to
In article <1d57d341-8e3a-47e2...@googlegroups.com>,
That's obviously a boneheaded mistake. Mr. Duncan's bio at the Library
of Congress makes no mention of military service. It's also much more
thorough than others I've seen.
http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.music.tdabio.81/default.html
of Congress makes no mention of military service. It's also much more
thorough than others I've seen.
http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.music.tdabio.81/default.html
Kenny McCormack
Jan 15, 2023, 8:24:21 AM1/15/23
to
In article <150120230721253043%no...@noway.com>, A Friend <A Friend> wrote:
...
(*) Oops, I mean, Anthony Devolder.
--
A 70 year old man who watches 6 hours of TV a day, plays a lot of golf
and seems to always be in Florida is a retiree, not a president.
...
>That's obviously a boneheaded mistake. Mr. Duncan's bio at the Library
>of Congress makes no mention of military service. It's also much more
>thorough than others I've seen.
Maybe he was George Santos's (*) inspiration...
>of Congress makes no mention of military service. It's also much more
>thorough than others I've seen.
(*) Oops, I mean, Anthony Devolder.
--
A 70 year old man who watches 6 hours of TV a day, plays a lot of golf
and seems to always be in Florida is a retiree, not a president.
A Friend
Jan 15, 2023, 9:23:52 AM1/15/23
to
In article <tq0uq1$2k9l4$1...@news.xmission.com>, Kenny McCormack
<gaz...@shell.xmission.com> wrote:
> In article <150120230721253043%no...@noway.com>, A Friend <A Friend> wrote:
> ...
> >That's obviously a boneheaded mistake. Mr. Duncan's bio at the Library
> >of Congress makes no mention of military service. It's also much more
> >thorough than others I've seen.
>
> Maybe he was George Santos's (*) inspiration...
>
> (*) Oops, I mean, Anthony Devolder.
LOL
> In article <150120230721253043%no...@noway.com>, A Friend <A Friend> wrote:
> ...
> >That's obviously a boneheaded mistake. Mr. Duncan's bio at the Library
> >of Congress makes no mention of military service. It's also much more
> >thorough than others I've seen.
>
> Maybe he was George Santos's (*) inspiration...
>
> (*) Oops, I mean, Anthony Devolder.
That Derek
Jan 15, 2023, 7:53:40 PM1/15/23
to
It was always cringe-worthy after an Arthur Duncan performance when Lawrence Welk would aver "Wow, that boy can dance!"
Louis Epstein
Jan 15, 2023, 8:46:07 PM1/15/23
to
>
> World War II Veteran?? If he was born in Sept 1933, he would've been barely
> 12 when the war ENDED.
So did he serve in Korea,or did someone lie to the cemetery?
> World War II Veteran?? If he was born in Sept 1933, he would've been barely
> 12 when the war ENDED.
He was a decade older than the elder Hines Brother,
and a dozen years younger than the younger Nicholas Brother.
How did he compare to them among black tap dancers?
-=-=-
The World Trade Center towers MUST rise again,
at least as tall as before...or terror has triumphed.
Diner
Jan 15, 2023, 10:20:07 PM1/15/23
to
On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 4:59:59 AM UTC-5, Jason wrote:
> World War II Veteran?? If he was born in Sept 1933, he would've been barely 12 when the war ENDED.
Ralna English has updated her original Facebook post to change his date of birth from September 25, 1933 to September 25, 1925.
> World War II Veteran?? If he was born in Sept 1933, he would've been barely 12 when the war ENDED.
This of course changes his age from 89 to 97.
She also added a new post today:
"Several people have asked me about the controversy regarding Arthur Duncan’s birthdate. As stated here, according to Arthur’s family, the 1925 date of his birth is correct."
So if he were born in 1925 rather than 1933, it is feasible that he was a World War II veteran.
A Friend
Jan 15, 2023, 10:59:20 PM1/15/23
to
In article <e9ac73a4-aa37-4744...@googlegroups.com>,
Yes. My father was born in 1927 and was a WW2 (and Korea) Navy vet.
The Navy took enlistees at 17, the other services at 18.
Mr. Duncan had every reason to lie about his age in order to get work.
The Navy took enlistees at 17, the other services at 18.
Mr. Duncan had every reason to lie about his age in order to get work.
Louis Epstein
Jan 16, 2023, 2:16:37 AM1/16/23
to
Diner <bway...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 4:59:59 AM UTC-5, Jason wrote:
>> World War II Veteran?? If he was born in Sept 1933, he would've been barely 12 when the war ENDED.
>
>
> Ralna English has updated her original Facebook post to change his date of birth from September 25, 1933 to September 25, 1925.
> This of course changes his age from 89 to 97.
>
> She also added a new post today:
> "Several people have asked me about the controversy regarding Arthur Duncan?s birthdate. As stated here, according to Arthur?s family, the 1925 date of his birth is correct."
> On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 4:59:59 AM UTC-5, Jason wrote:
>> World War II Veteran?? If he was born in Sept 1933, he would've been barely 12 when the war ENDED.
>
>
> Ralna English has updated her original Facebook post to change his date of birth from September 25, 1933 to September 25, 1925.
> This of course changes his age from 89 to 97.
>
> She also added a new post today:
>
> So if he were born in 1925 rather than 1933, it is feasible that he was a World War II veteran.
That moves him significantly closer to the Nicholas Brothers
> So if he were born in 1925 rather than 1933, it is feasible that he was a World War II veteran.
(Fayard 1914-2006 and Harold 1921-2000) than the Hines Brothers
(Maurice 1943-present and Gregory 1946-2003) rather than
almost in the middle of them.
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