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TV milestones for artists of color

By Neal Justin

January 30, 2015 at 12:42AM
(Left to right) Clayton Moore stars as the Lone Ranger, and Jay Silverheels as his trusted Indian partner Tonto, in the television series "The Lone Ranger." File photo.
(Left to right) Clayton Moore stars as the Lone Ranger, and Jay Silverheels as his trusted Indian partner Tonto, in the television series "The Lone Ranger." File photo. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

1949: "The Lone Ranger" co-stars Jay Silverheels as Tonto — one of the few authentic American Indians to break through on TV.

1951: Desi Arnaz becomes the first Latino to produce and star in a prime-time series, "I Love Lucy," at the insistence of his wife, Lucille Ball. Desilu Productions would go on to churn out "The Andy Griffith Show," "Star Trek" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

1956: Nat King Cole is the first African-American to host a musical variety show on TV. But touching white female guests was a no-no.

1965: Bill Cosby blazed a trail by winning three Emmys in a row for his role in "I Spy." He would continue to be a game-changer with "Fat Albert" and "The Cosby Show."

1966: "Star Trek" ran only three seasons, but it cast a long shadow, in part because of its interracial cast. Kirk and Uhura's kiss still has Sulu steaming with jealousy.

1966: Bruce Lee practically steals the show from "The Green Hornet" as his loyal, crime-fighting valet.

1975: Pat Morita makes his debut on "Happy Days" as diner owner Arnold Takahashi. He leaves the comedy after one season to be the first Asian-American actor to headline a series, "Mr. T and Tina." It lasts just five episodes.

1992: "The Arsenio Hall Show" makes history with a saxophone solo, and a future president: Bill Clinton.

1999: Dora the Explorer, a Latina girl, asks viewers to explore her animated world. The series has spawned more than 30 foreign adaptations, 40 books and a strange urge among children of all colors to ask for a pet monkey.

2007: America Ferrera becomes the first Latina to win an Emmy as best lead comedic actress for her work on "Ugly Betty."

Neal Justin


In this undated image provided by CBS, comedian-actress Lucille Ball and her husband, musician-actor Desi Arnaz, from the comedy series, "I Love Lucy," are shown. Ball plays a wife who is married to a Cuban band leader, played by real life husband Arnaz. (AP Photo/File)
In this undated image provided by CBS, comedian-actress Lucille Ball and her husband, musician-actor Desi Arnaz, from the comedy series, "I Love Lucy," are shown. Ball plays a wife who is married to a Cuban band leader, played by real life husband Arnaz. (AP Photo/File) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
February 28, 1968 Nichelle Nichols Featured, "Star Trek" Fridays, On The NBC Television Network.
February 28, 1968 Nichelle Nichols Featured, "Star Trek" Fridays, On The NBC Television Network. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
July 8, 1966 Van Williams Another Hollywood personality who will appear on the television screen this fall is Van Williams. Williams plays the part of the Green Hornet, in the series of the same name. Both Johnson and Williams will be appearing at various functions during Aquatennial week.
July 8, 1966 Van Williams Another Hollywood personality who will appear on the television screen this fall is Van Williams. Williams plays the part of the Green Hornet, in the series of the same name. Both Johnson and Williams will be appearing at various functions during Aquatennial week. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
This undated promotional photo, provided by ABC, shows actress America Ferrera as Betty Suarez in the new ABC series "Ugly Betty." "It takes me an hour to become Betty. But I love that she's so different from me," Ferrara, 22, tells TV Guide in its Dec. 18-24 issue. "I can (keep) a bit of myself private." (AP Photo/ABC, Eric Liebowitz) ORG XMIT: NYET163
This undated promotional photo, provided by ABC, shows actress America Ferrera as Betty Suarez in the new ABC series "Ugly Betty." "It takes me an hour to become Betty. But I love that she's so different from me," Ferrara, 22, tells TV Guide in its Dec. 18-24 issue. "I can (keep) a bit of myself private." (AP Photo/ABC, Eric Liebowitz) ORG XMIT: NYET163 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
DORA THE EXPLORER, Nick Jr.Ìs new original play along, animated adventure series, features a 7-year-old Latino heroine who lives inside a computer. Dora is proudly bi-lingual and uses her knowledge of the Spanish language to communicate with her friends, overcome obstacles and reach her goals. In each episode, Dora teaches the viewers a Spanish word or phrase and then asks them to use it to forge ahead to solve a problem. Dora and her friend Boots (pictured with Dora) ultimately triumph, ca
DORA THE EXPLORER, Nick Jr.Ìs new original play along, animated adventure series, features a 7-year-old Latino heroine who lives inside a computer. Dora is proudly bi-lingual and uses her knowledge of the Spanish language to communicate with her friends, overcome obstacles and reach her goals. In each episode, Dora teaches the viewers a Spanish word or phrase and then asks them to use it to forge ahead to solve a problem. Dora and her friend Boots (pictured with Dora) ultimately triumph, causing herstories to end with a "We did it!" anthem. DORA THE EXPLORER, a Nick Jr. production, debuted on Nick Jr. in August 2000. As of Saturday, Sept. 16, it will also be broadcast Saturdays (7:30-8:00 AM, ET/PT; in most markets, check local listings) on theCBS Television Network as part of the Network's 2000-2001 children's lineup. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
November 2, 1965 Stars in New TV Series -- Bill Cosby (above), former Temple University athlete who began his show-business career as a humorist, is co-star of television's new offbeat adventure series, "I Spy." Cosby, a Negro, says the show has been a tremendous gain for his career -- although he's making less money than he would as a night ***** comedian. November 4, 1965 AP Wirephoto
November 2, 1965 Stars in New TV Series -- Bill Cosby (above), former Temple University athlete who began his show-business career as a humorist, is co-star of television's new offbeat adventure series, "I Spy." Cosby, a Negro, says the show has been a tremendous gain for his career -- although he's making less money than he would as a night ***** comedian. November 4, 1965 AP Wirephoto (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
October 1, 1976 Pat Morita stars as a Japanese businessman who considers himself an immovable object, until he hires a governess, played by Susan Blanchard. who turns Out to be an irresistable force, in the new comedy series, Mr. T & TINA. premiering Saturday., September 25 at on Channel and the ABC Television Network.
October 1, 1976 Pat Morita stars as a Japanese businessman who considers himself an immovable object, until he hires a governess, played by Susan Blanchard. who turns Out to be an irresistable force, in the new comedy series, Mr. T & TINA. premiering Saturday., September 25 at on Channel and the ABC Television Network. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
April 12, 1956 Nat' King Cole - Singer International News Photos
April 12, 1956 Nat' King Cole - Singer International News Photos (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Arsenio Hall Randee St. Nicholas
Arsenio Hall Randee St. Nicholas (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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