25 Facts About Arthur Duncan

Arthur Chester Duncan was an American tap dancer, called an "Entertainer's Entertainer," known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982.

Arthur Duncan performed all over the world, and notably at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Arthur Duncan later entered Pasadena City College to study pharmacy.

Arthur Duncan took dance lessons with Willie Covan and Nick Castle.

Arthur Duncan claimed that Castle had a bigger influence on him and his musicality.

In 1954, Arthur Duncan first appeared on The Betty White Show and quickly became a regular performer.

However, when Betty White's show reached a national audience, television stations in the Jim Crow South threatened a boycott if Arthur Duncan remained on the show.

In 2018, Arthur Duncan had the opportunity to reunite with White on Steve Harvey's show Little Big Shots: Forever Young where he revealed he was not aware of the controversy at the time of its occurrence.

In 1957, Arthur Duncan joined Bob Hope's troupe touring US military bases as a part of the United Service Organization, making him the first African American to be part of that 100-member group.

Arthur Duncan first appeared on the show as a guest in 1964.

Several years after joining The Lawrence Welk Show, Arthur Duncan sang and danced a blend of old and new routines at the International Frolics in Los Angeles in 1967.

Arthur Duncan kicked off the opening of the new Richmond office of Home Savings and Loan Association on May 3,1979, in California.

Arthur Duncan even starred in a musical on top of his many performances.

Arthur Duncan's career was not diminished in the turn of the century.

Arthur Duncan continued to dance in the festival every year until 2008.

Arthur Duncan is most famously known for his time on The Lawrence Welk Show, on which he appeared as a regular from 1964 until 1982.

Arthur Duncan's time on The Lawrence Welk Show gave the art of tap "its most regular exposure in that era", which was a time in which tap was mostly dormant.

In 2004 Arthur Duncan was honored at the annual "Tap Extravaganza" in New York City.

In 2006, Arthur Duncan was honored for his contributions to tap dance at the 15th Annual St Louis Tap Festival.

In 2017, Arthur 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, Arthur 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.

Arthur Duncan gave Underwood flowers to celebrate her return to tap dancing.

Arthur Duncan died of a stroke and pneumonia in Moreno Valley, California, on January 4,2023, at the age of 97.

In 2003, Arthur Duncan was featured on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon, where he represented "the eldest of three generations of tap".

Arthur Duncan then received the Living Treasure in American Dance Award in 2005 from Oklahoma City University.