Name Arthur Duncan Role Dancer | Spouse Donna Duncan | |
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Similar People Jack Imel, Bobby Burgess, Mary Lou Metzger, Gail Farrell, Norma Zimmer Born September 25, 1933 (age 88) Pasadena, California Years active Circa 1946 – present Zodiac Sign Pisces Net Worth $1 Million – $5 Million (as of 2021) | ||
Arthur duncan tap dance
Arthur Duncan (born September 25, 1933) is a tap dancer, known for his stint as a performer on The Lawrence Welk Show from 1964 to 1982, which made him the first African-American regular on a variety television program.
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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 Jimmy Rodgers Show. After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk's personal manager Sam Lutz, and after appearing as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his "musical family."
The 1989 film Tap featured Duncan in a cameo appearance with other famous tap dancers.
In 2004 Duncan was honored at the annual "Tap Extravaganza" in New York City.
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.