Caramel Corn

Name
Lucille Ball

Known For
Acting

Birthday
1911-08-06

Deathday
1989-04-26 (78 years old)

Place of Birth
Jamestown, New York, USA

Biography

Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy. One of the most popular and influential stars in America during her lifetime, with one of Hollywood's longest careers, especially on television, Ball began acting in the 1930s, becoming both a radio actress and B-movie star in the 1940s, and then a television star during the 1950s. She was still making films in the 1960s and 1970s.

Ball received thirteen Emmy Award nominations and four wins. In 1977 Ball was among the first recipients of the Women in Film Crystal Award. She was the recipient of the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1979, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986 and the Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1989.

In 1929, Ball landed work as a model and later began her performing career on Broadway using the stage name Dianne Belmont. She appeared in many small movie roles in the 1930s as a contract player for RKO Radio Pictures. Ball was labeled as the "Queen of the Bs" (referring to her many roles in B-films). In 1951, Ball was pivotal in the creation of the television series I Love Lucy. The show co-starred her then husband, Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo and Vivian Vance and William Frawley as Ethel and Fred Mertz, the Ricardos' landlords and friends. The show ended in 1957 after 180 episodes. They then changed the format a little - lengthening the time of the show from 30 minutes to 60 minutes (the first one went 75 mins), adding some characters, altering the storyline somewhat, and renaming the show from "I Love Lucy" to "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour", which ran for three seasons (1957–1960) and 13 episodes. Ball went on to star in two more successful television series: The Lucy Show, which ran on CBS from 1962 to 1968 (156 Episodes), and Here's Lucy from 1968 to 1974 (144 episodes). Her last attempt at a television series was a 1986 show called Life with Lucy - which failed miserably after 8 episodes aired although 13 were produced.

Ball met and eloped with Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940. On July 17, 1951, almost 40 years old, Ball gave birth to their first child, Lucie Désirée Arnaz. A year and a half later, Ball gave birth to their second child, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV, known as Desi Arnaz, Jr. Ball and Arnaz divorced on May 4, 1960.

On April 26, 1989, Ball died of a dissecting aortic aneurysm at age 77. At the time of her death she had been married to her second husband, standup comedian and business partner Gary Morton, for twenty-eight years.

Known For

Movies

Tv Shows

1969 Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love as Self
1985 Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers as Self (archive footage)
1967 A Guide for the Married Man as Technical Adviser
1947 Lured as Sandra Carpenter
2011 Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored as Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
1946 The Dark Corner as Kathleen Stewart
1935 Roberta as Fashion Model (uncredited)
1954 The Long, Long Trailer as Tacy Collini
1945 Without Love as Kitty Trimble
1940 Dance, Girl, Dance as Bubbles
1968 Yours, Mine and Ours as Helen North Beardsley
1936 Follow the Fleet as Kitty Collins
1956 Forever, Darling as Susan Vega
1974 Mame as Mame
1943 Best Foot Forward as Lucille Ball
1945 Ziegfeld Follies as Lucille Ball (segment "Here's to the Ladies")
1949 Miss Grant Takes Richmond as Ellen Grant
1943 Du Barry Was a Lady as May Daly / Madame Du Barry
1943 Thousands Cheer as Lucille Ball
1937 Stage Door as Judith
1938 Room Service as Christine Marlowe
1946 Easy to Wed as Gladys Benton
1938 Joy of Living as Salina Garret Pine
1938 Having Wonderful Time as Miriam
1960 The Facts of Life as Kitty Weaver
1939 Five Came Back as Peggy Nolan
2022 Lucy and Desi as Self (archive footage)
1982 Showbiz Goes to War as Self (archive footage)
2023 Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story as Self (archive footage)
1985 Stone Pillow as Florabelle
1950 Fancy Pants as Agatha Floud
1949 Sorrowful Jones as Gladys O'Neill
1934 Broadway Bill as Blonde Telephone Operator (uncredited)
1984 All Star Party for Lucille Ball as Self
1947 Her Husband's Affairs as Margaret Weldon
1951 The Magic Carpet as Princess Narah
1950 The Fuller Brush Girl as Sally Elliot
1940 Too Many Girls as Connie Casey
1944 Meet the People as Julie Hampton
1963 Critic's Choice as Angela Ballantine
1946 Two Smart People as Ricki Woodner
1942 The Big Street as Gloria Lyons
1949 Easy Living as Anne, Lenahan's Secretary
1939 Twelve Crowded Hours as Paula Sanders
1970 Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special as Janet (uncredited)
1942 Seven Days' Leave as Terry Havalok-Allen
1938 The Affairs of Annabel as Annabel Allison
1939 Panama Lady as Lucy
1939 Beauty for the Asking as Jean Russell
1989 Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy as (archive footage)
1988 Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC as Self
2023 Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed as Self (archive footage)
1934 Three Little Pigskins as Daisy Simms
1939 That's Right – You're Wrong as Sandra Sand
1936 Swing It as Mary (uncredited)
1983 Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1941 A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob as Dot Duncan
1942 Valley of the Sun as Christine Larson
1941 Look Who's Laughing as Julie Patterson
1936 Bunker Bean as Rosie Kelly
1935 Foolish Hearts as Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
1935 I Dream Too Much as Gwendolyn Dilley
1936 That Girl from Paris as Claire Williams
1946 Lover Come Back as Kay Williams
1940 You Can't Fool Your Wife as Clara Fields Hinklin
1938 Go Chase Yourself as Carol Meeley
1938 Next Time I Marry as Nancy Crocker Fleming
1938 Annabel Takes a Tour as Annabel Allison
1940 The Marines Fly High as Joan Grant
1935 Behind the Evidence as Secretary (uncredited)
1937 Don't Tell the Wife as Annie Howell
1934 Kid Millions as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
1987 A Beverly Hills Christmas as Self
1934 Nana as Chorus Girl (uncredited)
1934 Moulin Rouge as Show Girl (uncredited)
1934 Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back as Bridesmaid
1933 Blood Money as Davy's Girlfriend (uncredited)
2003 Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer as Self (archive footage)
1934 The Affairs of Cellini as Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
1976 CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years as Self
1935 Top Hat as Flower Shop Clerk (uncredited)
1935 Old Man Rhythm as College Girl
1934 Bottoms Up as Chorine (uncredited)
1934 Murder at the Vanities as Earl Carroll Girl (uncredited)
1977 Lucy Calls the President as Lucy Whittaker
1936 One Live Ghost as Maxine
1933 Broadway Thru a Keyhole as Chorine / Girl at the Beach
1985 Night of 100 Stars II as Self
1960 Hedda Hopper's Hollywood as Self
1999 Television: The First Fifty Years as Self / Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
1975 Three for Two as Sally / Rita / Pauline
1993 Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie as Self
1936 The Farmer in the Dell as Gloria Wilson
1964 The Big Parade of Comedy as Julie Hampton in 'Meet the People' (archive footage)
2024 Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1933 Roman Scandals as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
1935 The Three Musketeers as (uncredited)
1936 Chatterbox as Lillian Temple
1933 The Bowery as Blonde (uncredited)
2015 Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration as Lucy Ricardo / I Love Lucy (archive footage)
1994 That's Entertainment! III as (archive footage) (uncredited)
1968 The Dean Martin Christmas Show as Self - Guest (uncredited)
1953 I Love Lucy: The Movie as Lucy Ricardo / Self
1935 Carnival as Nurse (uncredited)
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years as (archive footage)
1970 Swing Out, Sweet Land as Statue of Liberty (voice)
1974 Happy Anniversary and Goodbye as Norma Michaels
1975 Lucy Gets Lucky as Lucy Collins
1976 What Now, Catherine Curtis? as Catherine Curtis
1980 Lucy Moves to NBC as Self
1954 A Star Is Born World Premiere as Self
2017 This Is Bob Hope... as Self (archive footage)
1934 Fugitive Lady as Beauty Operator (uncredited)
1934 Hold That Girl as Girl (uncredited)
1934 Men of the Night as Peggy (uncredited)
1934 Perfectly Mismated
1935 The Whole Town's Talking as Bank Employee (uncredited)
1935 Hooray for Love as Chorine (uncredited)
1934 Jealousy as (uncredited)
1935 His Old Flame
1935 A Night at the Biltmore Bowl as Lucille Ball
1936 Winterset as Girl (uncredited)
1936 Muss 'em Up as Departing Train Passenger (uncredited)
1966 Lucy in London as Lucy Carmichael
1935 I'll Love You Always as Lucille (uncredited)
1936 So and Sew as Sally Curtis
1964 The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour as Bonnie Blakely
1963 General Foods Opening Night as Self
1936 Dummy Ache as Actress
1950 A Woman of Distinction as Self (uncredited)
1956 Lucy's Really Lost Moments as Lucy Ricardo
2004 Judy Garland: By Myself as Self (archive footage)
1976 Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul as Self
1979 Cher... and Other Fantasies as Cleaning Lady
1966 Carol + 2 as Self
1993 The Best Of Danny Kaye - The Television Years as Self (archive footage)
1965 Salute to Stan Laurel as Self
1997 The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender as Self (archive footage)
1969 The Jack Benny Birthday Special as Self
1945 Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood as Self (uncredited)
2016 I Love Lucy Christmas Special as Lucy
1952 Ellis in Freedomland as The Laundromat (voice)
2020 My Darling Vivian as Self (archive footage)
2001 The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1 as Self (archive footage)
2001 The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2 as Self (archive footage)
1998 The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
1976 NBC: The First Fifty Years as Self
1997 The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1
1982 Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny as Self
1944 G.I. Journal as Self
1975 Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television as (archive footage)
1956 The Bob Hope Chevy Show as Lucy Ricardo
1987 Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood as Self
2005 Pioneers of Primetime
2000 Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy as Self (archive footage)
1968 Carnival Nights as Self
1986 All Star Party for Clint Eastwood as Self
1981 A Love Letter to Jack Benny as Herself
1985 That's Dancing! as Self (archive footage)
2025 A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music as Lucy Ricardo (archive footage) (uncredited)
1989 A Tribute to Lucy
Soon The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special
1976 Bob Hope's World of Comedy as Self
2017 The Fabulous Allan Carr as Self (archive footage)
Soon The Time Element as Self
2003 Cher: The Farewell Tour as Self (archive footage)

1986 Life with Lucy ( 8 episodes ) as Lucy Barker
1968 Here's Lucy ( 144 episodes ) as Lucy Carter
1957 The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour ( 13 episodes ) as Lucy Ricardo
1962 The Lucy Show ( 156 episodes ) as Lucy Carmichael
1961 Treffpunkt New York ( 1 episode ) as Self
1951 I Love Lucy ( 180 episodes ) as Lucy Ricardo
1996 E! True Hollywood Story ( 1 episode )
1961 Password ( 1 episode )
1958 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse ( 6 episodes )
1969 The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour ( 1 episode ) as Self
1952 This Is Your Life ( 1 episode ) as Self
1970 The Flip Wilson Show ( 1 episode ) as Self
1973 The American Film Institute Salute to ... ( 1 episode ) as Self
1978 The Kennedy Center Honors ( 1 episode ) as Self
1957 Tonight Starring Jack Paar ( 1 episode ) as Self
1976 The Practice ( 1 episode )
1949 The Emmy Awards ( 1 episode ) as Self
1973 The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts ( 2 episodes ) as Self
1963 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre ( 1 episode ) as Self
1961 The Mike Douglas Show ( 2 episodes ) as Self - Guest
1993 Intimate Portrait ( 1 episode ) as Self (archive footage)
1961 The Mike Douglas Show ( 1 episode ) as Self - Co-Hostess
1950 The Bob Hope Show ( 15 episodes ) as Self
1950 The Jack Benny Program ( 1 episode ) as Rachel Revere
1948 The Ed Sullivan Show ( 9 episodes ) as Self
1971 The Pearl Bailey Show ( 1 episode ) as Self
1962 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson ( 5 episodes ) as Self
1974 Dinah! ( 4 episodes ) as Self
1949 The Ed Wynn Show ( 1 episode ) as Self
1967 The Carol Burnett Show ( 4 episodes ) as Self - Guest
1981 Entertainment Tonight ( 2 episodes ) as Self
1976 Donny & Marie ( 1 episode ) as Self
1950 What's My Line? ( 6 episodes ) as Self
1958 The Ann Sothern Show ( 1 episode ) as Lucy Ricardo
1968 The Dick Cavett Show ( 2 episodes ) as Self - Guest
1987 The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood ( 1 episode ) as Self
1959 NBC Sunday Showcase ( 1 episode ) as Lucy Ricardo
1963 The Danny Kaye Show ( 1 episode ) as Self
1962 The Merv Griffin Show ( 1 episode ) as Self
1963 The Greatest Show on Earth ( 1 episode ) as Kate Reynolds
1984 Body Language ( 5 episodes ) as Self
1955 MGM Parade ( 1 episode ) as Self
1967 Omnibus ( 1 episode )

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