Lucille Ball
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.
Photos
Movies (175)
A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music
2025 · Lucy Ricardo (archive footage) (uncredited)
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Rock Hudson: Lo que el cielo nos dio
2023 · Self (archive footage)
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story
2023 · Self (archive footage)
Lucy and Desi
2022 · Self (archive footage)
My Darling Vivian
2020 · Self (archive footage)
This Is Bob Hope...
2017 · Self (archive footage)
The Fabulous Allan Carr
2017 · Self (archive footage)
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
2016 · Lucy
Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
2015 · Lucy Ricardo / I Love Lucy (archive footage)
Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored
2011 · Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
Pioneers of Primetime
2005
Judy Garland: By Myself
2004 · Self (archive footage)
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004 · (archive footage)
Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer
2003 · Self (archive footage)
Cher: The Farewell Tour
2003 · Self (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
2001 · Self (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
2001 · Self (archive footage)
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
2000 · Self (archive footage)
Television: The First Fifty Years
1999 · Self / Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998 · Self - Roastee (archive footage)
The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender
1997 · Self (archive footage)
The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1
1997
That's Entertainment! III
1994 · (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Best Of Danny Kaye - The Television Years
1993 · Self (archive footage)
Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie
1993 · Self
Chicago Joe and the Showgirl
1990 · In Memory Of
Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy
1989 · (archive footage)
A Tribute to Lucy
1989
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988 · Self
A Beverly Hills Christmas
1987 · Self
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987 · Self
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
1986 · Self
Stone Pillow
1985 · Florabelle
Night of 100 Stars II
1985 · Self
That's Dancing!
1985 · Self (archive footage)
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
1985 · Self (archive footage)
All Star Party for Lucille Ball
1984 · Self
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Showbiz Goes to War
1982 · Self (archive footage)
Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny
1982 · Self
Bungle Abbey
1981 · Director, Executive Producer
A Love Letter to Jack Benny
1981 · Herself
Lucy Moves to NBC
1980 · Self
Cher... and Other Fantasies
1979 · Cleaning Lady
Lucy Calls the President
1977 · Lucy Whittaker
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years
1976 · Self
NBC: The First Fifty Years
1976 · Self
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
1976 · Self
What Now, Catherine Curtis?
1976 · Catherine Curtis, Executive Producer
Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul
1976 · Self
Three for Two
1975 · Sally / Rita / Pauline, Executive Producer
Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television
1975 · (archive footage)
The Columbia Pictures 50th Anniversary Special
1975 · Producer
Lucy Gets Lucky
1975 · Lucy Collins, Executive Producer, Executive In Charge Of Production
Happy Anniversary and Goodbye
1974 · Norma Michaels, Executive Producer
Mame
1974 · Mame
Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special
1970 · Janet (uncredited)
Swing Out, Sweet Land
1970 · Statue of Liberty (voice)
Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love
1969 · Self
The Jack Benny Birthday Special
1969 · Self
The Dean Martin Christmas Show
1968 · Self - Guest (uncredited)
Yours, Mine and Ours
1968 · Helen North Beardsley
Carnival Nights
1968 · Self
A Guide for the Married Man
1967 · Technical Adviser
Lucy in London
1966 · Lucy Carmichael
Carol + 2
1966 · Self
Salute to Stan Laurel
1965 · Self
Star Trek: The Cage
1965 · Executive Producer
The Big Parade of Comedy
1964 · Julie Hampton in 'Meet the People' (archive footage)
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
1964 · Bonnie Blakely
General Foods Opening Night
1963 · Self
Surf Scene
1963 · Executive Producer
Critic's Choice
1963 · Angela Ballantine
Dragon by the Tail
1961 · Executive Producer
Alcatraz Express
1961 · Executive Producer
The Facts of Life
1960 · Kitty Weaver
The Gun of Zangara
1960 · Executive Producer
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood
1960 · Self
Strange Witness
1958 · Producer
The Bob Hope Chevy Show
1956 · Lucy Ricardo
Forever, Darling
1956 · Susan Vega
Lucy's Really Lost Moments
1956 · Lucy Ricardo
A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954 · Self
The Long, Long Trailer
1954 · Tacy Collini
I Love Lucy: The Movie
1953 · Lucy Ricardo / Self
Ellis in Freedomland
1952 · The Laundromat (voice)
The Magic Carpet
1951 · Princess Narah
The Fuller Brush Girl
1950 · Sally Elliot
Fancy Pants
1950 · Agatha Floud
A Woman of Distinction
1950 · Self (uncredited)
Miss Grant Takes Richmond
1949 · Ellen Grant
Easy Living
1949 · Anne, Lenahan's Secretary
Sorrowful Jones
1949 · Gladys O'Neill
Her Husband's Affairs
1947 · Margaret Weldon
Lured
1947 · Sandra Carpenter
Easy to Wed
1946 · Gladys Benton
Lover Come Back
1946 · Kay Williams
Two Smart People
1946 · Ricki Woodner
The Dark Corner
1946 · Kathleen Stewart
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
1945 · Self (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Follies
1945 · Lucille Ball (segment "Here's to the Ladies")
Without Love
1945 · Kitty Trimble
G.I. Journal
1944 · Self
Meet the People
1944 · Julie Hampton
Best Foot Forward
1943 · Lucille Ball
Thousands Cheer
1943 · Lucille Ball
Du Barry Was a Lady
1943 · May Daly / Madame Du Barry
Seven Days' Leave
1942 · Terry Havalok-Allen
The Big Street
1942 · Gloria Lyons
Valley of the Sun
1942 · Christine Larson
Look Who's Laughing
1941 · Julie Patterson
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
1941 · Dot Duncan
Too Many Girls
1940 · Connie Casey
Dance, Girl, Dance
1940 · Bubbles
You Can't Fool Your Wife
1940 · Clara Fields Hinklin
The Marines Fly High
1940 · Joan Grant
That's Right – You're Wrong
1939 · Sandra Sand
Five Came Back
1939 · Peggy Nolan
Panama Lady
1939 · Lucy
Beauty for the Asking
1939 · Jean Russell
Twelve Crowded Hours
1939 · Paula Sanders
Next Time I Marry
1938 · Nancy Crocker Fleming
Annabel Takes a Tour
1938 · Annabel Allison
Room Service
1938 · Christine Marlowe
The Affairs of Annabel
1938 · Annabel Allison
Having Wonderful Time
1938 · Miriam
Joy of Living
1938 · Salina Garret Pine
Go Chase Yourself
1938 · Carol Meeley
Stage Door
1937 · Judith
Don't Tell the Wife
1937 · Annie Howell
That Girl from Paris
1936 · Claire Williams
Winterset
1936 · Girl (uncredited)
One Live Ghost
1936 · Maxine
So and Sew
1936 · Sally Curtis
Dummy Ache
1936 · Actress
Swing It
1936 · Mary (uncredited)
Bunker Bean
1936 · Rosie Kelly
The Farmer in the Dell
1936 · Gloria Wilson
Follow the Fleet
1936 · Kitty Collins
Muss 'em Up
1936 · Departing Train Passenger (uncredited)
Chatterbox
1936 · Lillian Temple
Foolish Hearts
1935 · Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
I Dream Too Much
1935 · Gwendolyn Dilley
The Three Musketeers
1935 · (uncredited)
Top Hat
1935 · Flower Shop Clerk (uncredited)
Old Man Rhythm
1935 · College Girl
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
1935 · Lucille Ball
Hooray for Love
1935 · Chorine (uncredited)
I'll Love You Always
1935 · Lucille (uncredited)
Roberta
1935 · Fashion Model (uncredited)
The Whole Town's Talking
1935 · Bank Employee (uncredited)
Carnival
1935 · Nurse (uncredited)
His Old Flame
1935
Behind the Evidence
1935 · Secretary (uncredited)
Fugitive Lady
1934 · Beauty Operator (uncredited)
Three Little Pigskins
1934 · Daisy Simms
Broadway Bill
1934 · Blonde Telephone Operator (uncredited)
Jealousy
1934 · (uncredited)
Men of the Night
1934 · Peggy (uncredited)
Perfectly Mismated
1934
Kid Millions
1934 · Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
The Affairs of Cellini
1934 · Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back
1934 · Bridesmaid
Murder at the Vanities
1934 · Earl Carroll Girl (uncredited)
Bottoms Up
1934 · Chorine (uncredited)
Hold That Girl
1934 · Girl (uncredited)
Nana
1934 · Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Moulin Rouge
1934 · Show Girl (uncredited)
Roman Scandals
1933 · Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Blood Money
1933 · Davy's Girlfriend (uncredited)
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
1933 · Chorine / Girl at the Beach
The Bowery
1933 · Blonde (uncredited)
The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special
The Time Element
· Self
TV shows (44)
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
Intimate Portrait
1993 · Self (archive footage)
The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood
1987 · Self
Life with Lucy
1986 · Lucy Barker
Body Language
1984 · Self
Entertainment Tonight
1981 · Self
The Kennedy Center Honors
1978 · Self
The Practice
1976
Donny & Marie
1976 · Self
Dinah!
1974 · Self
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973 · Self
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
1973 · Self
The Pearl Bailey Show
1971 · Self
The Flip Wilson Show
1970 · Self
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1969 · Self
Here's Lucy
1968 · Lucy Carter, Director
The Dick Cavett Show
1968 · Self - Guest
Omnibus
1967
The Carol Burnett Show
1967 · Self - Guest
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963 · Self
The Danny Kaye Show
1963 · Self
The Greatest Show on Earth
1963 · Kate Reynolds
The Lucy Show
1962 · Lucy Carmichael, Executive In Charge Of Production
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962 · Self
The Merv Griffin Show
1962 · Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961 · Self - Guest, Self - Co-Hostess
Password
1961
Treffpunkt New York
1961 · Self
NBC Sunday Showcase
1959 · Lucy Ricardo
U.S. Marshall
1958 · Producer's Assistant, Executive Producer
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1958
The Ann Sothern Show
1958 · Lucy Ricardo
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
1957 · Lucy Ricardo, Producer
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
1957 · Self
MGM Parade
1955 · Self
This Is Your Life
1952 · Self
Cavalcade of America
1952 · Executive Producer
I Love Lucy
1951 · Lucy Ricardo
The Jack Benny Program
1950 · Rachel Revere
The Bob Hope Show
1950 · Self
What's My Line?
1950 · Self
The Ed Wynn Show
1949 · Self
The Emmy Awards
1949 · Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948 · Self