Lucille Ball Biography
(1911-1989)

Lucille Desiree Ball was born August 6, 1911, at 5:00 PM in Jamestown, New York. Her father, Fred, was an engineer, stringing telephone lines across the country. Her mother Desiree "De-De" was a concert pianist.

When Lucille was four-years-old her father died of typhoid fever in Wyandotte, Michigan. After her father's death she and her mother, De-De, moved back to New York State in Celoron (near Jamestown). Four years after her father's death, De-De married Ed Peterson and traveled with her husband, whose job took him across country. De-De moved Lucille and her brother, Fred, into Ed's parents' home, who were stern disciplinarians. Lucille was very independent and often got into trouble. Shortly afterwards Lucille and her brother Fred were moved to De-De's father's, Fredrick C. Hunt. Fredrick C. Hunt, who used to be a mailman, took Lucille, Fred, and Cousin Cleo to vaudeville on Saturday nights. Lucille loved her grandfather Hunt.

By the age of ten Lucille took summer jobs. She lead a blind man around town, sold soap, was a soda jerk at the drugstore, a salesgirl in a dress shop, and a hot dog and popcorn vender at an amusement park. Also she organized neighborhood plays with the other children, using the family chicken coop as a stage. She staged an amateur production of Charley's Aunt in the fall of 1926, where she played the male lead role, sold tickets, swept up the stage afterwards, and turned the lights off. Tickets were twenty-five cents a piece, she made twenty-five dollars for the ninth grade class.

At the age of fifteen Lucille left Celoron for New York City with the help of her mother, who enrolled her into the John Murray Anderson-Robert Milton Dramatics School. A year later she quit the school because they felt she didn't have what it took. De-De again got her daughter into another acting school, ending up in the chorus of a third road company in a production of Rio Rita. After five weeks of rehearsal she was fired. Afterwards she was in three more choruses before becoming a model for Hattie Carnegie, under the name of Diane Belmont. Lucille was struck down by rheumatoid arthritis, and spent many months in the hospital and years to learn how to walk again.

After learning to walk, five-foot-six-inch Lucille became one of the "Chesterfield Girls" modeling for billboards, advertising cigarettes coast to coast. The public noticed and so did showgirl agent Sylvia Hahlo. Hahlo needed one more girl to appear in a Sam Goldwyn film, Roman Scandals starring Eddie Cantor. Goldwyn was short one girl and Lucille was hired to be the last of twelve girls to form the Goldwyn Girls. Lucille signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1934. Lucille was making fifty dollars a week as a stock player, and contacted her family, De-De, Brother Fred, Cousin Cleo, and Grandpa Hunt, and invited them to come live with her in California. Shortly thereafter Columbia Pictures had cutbacks of their stock players, one including Lucille Ball.

By the time her family arrived, Lucille was working as an extra at RKO Studios. She appeared in Roberta, the role impressed RKO executives, so they signed her to a contract. The contract would last for seven years and she would appear in many 'B' movies. Years later she had a salary of fifteen hundred dollars a week. Her roles improved and she starred in Stage Door with Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn.

Then Lucille was about to get the role in a Broadway play Too Many Girls but shortly before she slipped on ice in a skating publicity stunt. Then while in bed her friends came and talked about a Cuban singer who starred in Too Many Girls whose looks and talent were sending the ladies to a dither, his name was Desi Arnaz. Lucy then hobbled to the show and she "fell head over heels" for Desi. He had an effect that mesmerized her.

Then in June of 1940 RKO was in production of making a film version of Too Many Girls starring Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. Lucille was in a costume for her other film Dance, Girl, Dance she was dressed with a gold lamé dress with a slit up to her thigh with a black eye. Desi wasn't impressed with her but later she walked in dressed in a yellow skirt and cashmere sweater and Desi was quoted in saying, "Wot a hunk o' woman!"

The two fell in love almost immediately, and eloped on November 30, 1940 at the Byram River Beagle Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Soon afterward the couple bought a five acre ranch in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley. Their marriage began to fail in 1941. Lucille fell ill and discovered that she was pregnant, bringing joy to the couple until she suffered a miscarriage. Lucille's career began to sore in the 1940's while Desi's stood still. This caused the marriage to begin to crumble once again. Also Desi was on tour with his band while Lucille stayed at home alone working in movies. Lucille got a job as the main character on a CBS radio show "My Favorite Husband" in 1948.

Then due to the success of "My Favorite Husband" CBS wished to send it to television in 1950. Lucille would only do it if Desi was allowed to portray her husband. CBS denied this idea. To show CBS how good they work together the two went on tour with their old vaudeville tour. Soon they found out that Lucille was pregnant again, but again Lucille suffered another miscarriage. CBS finally decided to take Desi and Lucille to a new TV series "I Love Lucy." Soon Lucille found out that she was pregnant once again. Determined to have a child, she slowed down. Production began on "I Love Lucy" in the summer of 1951. Then on July 17, 1951 at 8:15 AM, Lucille gave birth to Lucie Desiree Arnaz. In the fall of 1951, Lucille began starring in "I Love Lucy," which became an immediate success.

The series helped both Lucille and Desi's career and also helped their marriage. In 1951 Desi and Lucille formed their own production company, Desilu. In 1952 Lucille learned that she was pregnant again and on January 19, 1953 Lucille gave birth to Desi Jr. at 8:15AM. In 1957 Desi decided to quit "I Love Lucy" and run Desilu. Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, and Keith Thibodeaux went on to film thirteen one-hour specials called "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" until March of 1960 when it ended along with Lucille and Desi's twenty year marriage.

On May 4, 1960 the couple divorced, although staying good friends. In 1962 Desi sold his share of Desilu to Lucille, she became the first woman to run a production company. Also in 1962 Lucille began her new TV series "The Lucy Show" also starring "I Love Lucy" co-star Vivian Vance. The series was a success also, but still not a great as "I Love Lucy." "The Lucy Show" lasted till 1968 when Lucille began "Here's Lucy" also starring daughter Lucie and son Desi. "Here's Lucy" lasted until 1974. Lucille worked in more movies and TV specials, throughout the 1970s and 80s. Lucille started "Life With Lucy" which was her final television series. On April 26, 1989 after having heart surgery in Los Angles, California, Lucille Ball passed away.

Spouse

Desi Arnaz / November 30, 1940 - May 4, 1960 (divorced) 1 daughter & 1 son
Gary Morton / November 19, 1961 - April 26, 1989 (her death)

Quotes

"I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste."

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore faith in yourself."

"I don't know anything about luck. I've never banked on it, and I'm afraid of people who do. Luck to me is something else: hard work and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't."

"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."

"I'm not funny. What I am is brave."

"Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead."

"I'd rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not."

"A man who correctly guesses a woman's age may be smart, but he's not very bright"

Filmography

1. Roman Scandals (1933) ... Slave Girl (uncredited)
2. Broadway Through A Keyhole (1933) ... Girl at the Beach (uncredited)
3. The Bowery (1933) ... Bit Part (uncredited)
4. Blood Money (1933) ... Bit Part (uncredited)
5. Moulin Rouge (1934) ... Chorus Girl
6. Bottoms Up (1934) ... Girl
7. The Affairs Of Cellini (1934) ... Lady-In-Waiting (uncredited)
8. Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back (1934) ... Girl
9. Perfectly Mismated (1934)
10. Kid Millions (1934) ... 1934 Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
11. Men Of The Night (1934) ... Peggy
12. Broadway Bill (1934) ... Blonde Telephone Operator (uncredited)
13. Three Little Pigskins (1934) ... Daisy Simms
14. Nana (1934) ... Chorus Girl (uncredited)
15. Jealousy (1934) ... Girl
16. Hold That Girl (1934) ... Girl
17. Fugitive Lady (1934) ... Beauty Operator
18. His Old Flame (1935)
19. Carnival (1935) ... Nurse
20. The Whole Town's Talking (1935) ... Girl (uncredited)
21. Roberta (1935) ... Fashion Model (uncredited)
22. I'll Love You Always (1935) ... Lucille
23. Old Man Rhythm (1935) ... College Girl (uncredited)
24. Top Hat (1935) ... Flower Clerk
25. The Three Musketeers (1935) ... Extra (uncredited)
26. I Dream Too Much (1935) ... Gwendolyn Dilley, Tourist
27. A Night At The Biltmore Bowl (1935)
28. Follow The Fleet (1936) ... Kitty Collins
29. The Farmer In The Dell (1936) ... Gloria Wilson
30. Bunker Bean (1936) ... Miss Rosie Kelly
31. One Live Ghost (1936)
32. Winterset (1936) ... A Girl
33. That Girl From Paris (1936) ... Claire Williams
34. So And Sew (1936)
35. Dummy Ache (1936) ... Actress
36. Chatterbox (1936) ... Lillian Temple
37. Don't Tell The Wife (1937) ... Ann 'Annie' Howell
38. Stage Door (1937) ... Judy Canfield
39. Hitting A New High (1937)
40. Joy of Living (1938) ... Salina
41. Having Wonderful Time (1938) ... Miriam
42. The Affairs Of Annabel (1938) ... Annabel Allison
43. Room Service (1938) ... Christine
44. Annabel Takes A Tour (1938) ... Annabel Allison
45. The Next Time I Marry (1938) ... Nancy Crocker Fleming
46. Go Chase Yourself (1938) ... Carol Meely
47. Beauty For The Asking (1939) ... Jean Russell
48. Twelve Crowded Hours (1939) ... Paula Sanders
49. Five Came Back (1939) ... Peggy Nolan
50. That's Right You're Wrong (1939) ... Sandra Sand
51. Panama Lady (1939) ... Lucy
52. The Marines Fly High (1940) ... Joan Grant
53. You Can't Fool Your Wife (1940) ... Carla Hinklin/Mercedes Vasquez
54. Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) ... Bubbles, aka Tiger Lily White
55. Too Many Girls (1940) ... Consuelo 'Connie' Casey
56. A Girl, A Guy, And A Gob (1941) ... Dorothy 'Dot'/'Spindle' Duncan
57. Look Who's Laughing (1941) ... Julie Patterson
58. The Big Street (1942) ... Gloria
59. Valley Of The Sun (1942) ... Christine Larson
60. Seven Day's Leave (1942) ... Terrence 'Terry' Havalok-Allen
61. Best Foot Forward (1943) ... Lucille
62. DuBarry Was A Lady (1943) ... May Daly/Madame DuBarry
63. Thousands Cheer (1943) ... Cameo Appearance
64. Meet The People (1944) ... Julie Hampton
65. Without Love (1945) ... Kitty Trimble
66. Abbott And Costello in Hollywood (1945) ... Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
67. Ziegfeld Follies (1946) ... Specialty
68. Easy To Wed (1946) ... Gladys Benton
69. Two Smart People (1946) ... Ricki Woodner
70. Lover Come Back (1946) ... Kay Williams
71. The Dark Corner (1946) ... Kathleen
72. Lured (1947) ... Sandra Carpenter
73. Her Husband's Affairs (1947) ... Margaret Weldon
74. Sorrowful Jones (1949) ... Gladys O'Neill
75. Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949) ... Ellen Grant
76. Easy Living (1949) ... Anne, Lenahan's Secretary
77. A Woman Of Distinction (1950) ... Herself (uncredited)
78. Fancy Pants (1950) ... Agatha Floud
79. The Fuller Brush Girl (1950) ... Sally Elliot
80. "I Love Lucy" (1951) TV Series ... Lucille "Lucy" Esmerelda McGillicuddy-Ricardo
81. The Magic Carpet (1951) ... Narah
82. The Long, Long Trailer (1954) ... Tacy Collini
83. Forever Darling (1956) ... Susan Vega
84. "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" (1957) TV Series ... Lucille "Lucy" Esmerelda McGillicuddy-Ricardo
85. The Facts Of Life (1960) ... Kitty Weaver
86. "The Lucy Show" (1962) ... Lucy Carmichael
87. Critic's Choice (1963) ... Angela Ballantine
88. MGM's Big Parade Of Comedy (1964)
89. A Guide For The Married Man (1967) ... Technical Adviser
90. Yours, Mine And Ours (1968) ... Helen North Beardsley
91. "Here's Lucy" (1968) TV Series Lucille "Lucy" Carter
92. Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) TV Movie ... Herself
93. Mame (1974) ... Mame Dennis
94. Gypsy In My Soul (1976) TV Movie ... Herself
95. CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years (1976) TV Movie ... Herself
96. Lucy Calls The President (1977) TV Movie ... Lucy Whittaker
97. Circus Of The Stars #2 (1977) TV Movie ... Host/Ringmaster
98. "Scooby And Scrappy-Doo" (1979) TV Series ... Additional Voices ('voice' - credited as Lucille Bill)
99. Bob Hope Buys NBC? (1985) TV Movie
100. Stone Pillow (1985) TV Movie ... Florabelle
101. That's Dancing! (1985) (archive footage)
102. "Life With Lucy" (1986) TV Series ... Lucy Barker
103. Hollywood The Golden Years: The RKO Story (1987)
104. America's Tribute To Bob Hope (1988) TV Special ... Herself

Producer Filmography

1. Lucy Calls The President (1977) TV Movie

Miscellaneous Crew Filmography

1. "The Lucy Show" (1962) TV Series (Executive In Charge Of Production)

Director Filmography

1. Bungle Abbey (1981) TV Movie

Guest Appearances

1. "Inside U.S.A. With Chevrolet (1949)
2. "The Bob Hope Show" (1952) playing Herself aired September 14, 1950
3. "The Tonight Show" (1954) playing Herself
4. "I've Got A Secret" (1952) aired February 9, 1956
5. "Toast Of The Town" (1948) aired September 30, 1956
6. "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" (1958) episode "K.O. Kitty" aired October 21, 1958
7. "Make Room For Daddy" (1953) playing Lucy Ricardo, episode "Lucy Upsets The Williams Household" aired January 5, 1959
8. "The Ann Sothern Show" (1958) playing Lucy Ricardo episode "The Lucy Story" aired October 5, 1959
9. "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" (1958) episode "The Desilu Revue" aired December 11, 1959
10. "The Bob Hope Show" aired October 24, 1962
11. "The Jack Benny Program" (1950) playing Herself. Mrs. Paul Revere episode "Lucille Ball Show" #15.1 October 2, 1964
12. "The Danny Kaye Show" (1963) aired November 4, 1964
13. "The Carol Burnett Show" (1967) playing Herself episode #1.4 aired October 2, 1967
14. "The Carol Burnett Show" (1967) playing Herself episode #2.6 aired November 4, 1968
15. "The Carol Burnett Show" (1967) playing Herself episode #3.9 aired November 24, 1969
16. "The Flip Wilson Show" (1970) playing Herself aired September 16, 1971
17. "Make Room For Granddaddy" (1970) playing Lucy Carter episode "Lucy Carter, Houseguest" aired January 21, 1971
18. "Here's Lucy" (1968) playing Herself episode "Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball" #6.21 aired March 4, 1974
19. "Dinah!" (1974) playing Herself aired April 29, 1975
20. "Password Plus" (1979) playing Panelist/Herself
21. "Three's Company" (1977) playing Herself episodes "The Best Of Three's Company-Part I & II" #6.27 & 28 May 18, 1982
22. "Body Language" (1984) playing Panelist/Herself