Lucille Ball
Acting • Born 1911-08-06 – Died 1989-04-26
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.
Filmography
205 credits
Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love
Movie • 1969
Self
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
Movie • 1985
Self (archive footage)
A Guide for the Married Man
Movie • 1967
Technical Adviser (Mrs. Joe X)
Lured
Movie • 1947
Sandra Carpenter
Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored
Movie • 2011
Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
The Dark Corner
Movie • 1946
Kathleen Stewart
Roberta
Movie • 1935
Fashion Model (uncredited)
The Long, Long Trailer
Movie • 1954
Tacy Collini
Without Love
Movie • 1945
Kitty Trimble
Dance, Girl, Dance
Movie • 1940
Bubbles
Yours, Mine and Ours
Movie • 1968
Helen North Beardsley
Follow the Fleet
Movie • 1936
Kitty Collins
Forever, Darling
Movie • 1956
Susan Vega
Mame
Movie • 1974
Mame Dennis
Best Foot Forward
Movie • 1943
Lucille Ball
Ziegfeld Follies
Movie • 1945
Lucille Ball (segment "Here's to the Ladies")
Miss Grant Takes Richmond
Movie • 1949
Ellen Grant
Du Barry Was a Lady
Movie • 1943
May Daly / Madame Du Barry
Thousands Cheer
Movie • 1943
Lucille Ball
Stage Door
Movie • 1937
Judith
Room Service
Movie • 1938
Christine Marlowe
Easy to Wed
Movie • 1946
Gladys Benton
Joy of Living
Movie • 1938
Salina Garret Pine
Having Wonderful Time
Movie • 1938
Miriam
The Facts of Life
Movie • 1960
Kitty Weaver
Five Came Back
Movie • 1939
Peggy Nolan
Lucy and Desi
Movie • 2022
Self (archive footage)
Showbiz Goes to War
Movie • 1982
(archive footage)
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story
Movie • 2023
Self (archive footage)
Stone Pillow
Movie • 1985
Florabelle
Fancy Pants
Movie • 1950
Agatha Floud
Sorrowful Jones
Movie • 1949
Gladys O'Neill
Broadway Bill
Movie • 1934
Blonde Telephone Operator (uncredited)
All Star Party for Lucille Ball
Movie • 1984
Self
Her Husband's Affairs
Movie • 1947
Margaret Weldon
The Magic Carpet
Movie • 1951
Princess Narah
The Fuller Brush Girl
Movie • 1950
Sally Elliot
Too Many Girls
Movie • 1940
Connie Casey
Meet the People
Movie • 1944
Julie Hampton
Critic's Choice
Movie • 1963
Angela Ballantine
Two Smart People
Movie • 1946
Ricki Woodner
The Big Street
Movie • 1942
Gloria Lyons
Easy Living
Movie • 1949
Anne, Lenahan's Secretary
Twelve Crowded Hours
Movie • 1939
Paula Sanders
Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special
Movie • 1970
Janet (uncredited)
Seven Days' Leave
Movie • 1942
Terry Havalok-Allen
The Affairs of Annabel
Movie • 1938
Annabel Allison
Panama Lady
Movie • 1939
Lucy
Beauty for the Asking
Movie • 1939
Jean Russell
Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy
Movie • 1989
(archive footage)
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
Movie • 1988
Self
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
Movie • 2023
Self (archive footage)
Three Little Pigskins
Movie • 1934
Daisy Simms
That's Right – You're Wrong
Movie • 1939
Sandra Sand
Swing It
Movie • 1936
Mary (uncredited)
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Movie • 1983
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
Movie • 1941
Dot Duncan
Valley of the Sun
Movie • 1942
Christine Larson
Look Who's Laughing
Movie • 1941
Julie Patterson
Bunker Bean
Movie • 1936
Rosie Kelly
Foolish Hearts
Movie • 1935
Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
I Dream Too Much
Movie • 1935
Gwendolyn Dilley
That Girl from Paris
Movie • 1936
Claire Williams
Lover Come Back
Movie • 1946
Kay Williams
You Can't Fool Your Wife
Movie • 1940
Clara Fields Hinklin
Go Chase Yourself
Movie • 1938
Carol Meeley
Next Time I Marry
Movie • 1938
Nancy Crocker Fleming
Annabel Takes a Tour
Movie • 1938
Annabel Allison
The Marines Fly High
Movie • 1940
Joan Grant
Behind the Evidence
Movie • 1935
Secretary (uncredited)
Don't Tell the Wife
Movie • 1937
Annie Howell
Kid Millions
Movie • 1934
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
A Beverly Hills Christmas
Movie • 1987
Self
Nana
Movie • 1934
Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Moulin Rouge
Movie • 1934
Show Girl (uncredited)
Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back
Movie • 1934
Bridesmaid
Blood Money
Movie • 1933
Davy's Girlfriend (uncredited)
Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer
Movie • 2003
Self (archive footage)
The Affairs of Cellini
Movie • 1934
Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years
Movie • 1976
Self
Top Hat
Movie • 1935
Flower Shop Clerk (uncredited)
Old Man Rhythm
Movie • 1935
College Girl
Bottoms Up
Movie • 1934
Chorine (uncredited)
Murder at the Vanities
Movie • 1934
Earl Carroll Girl (uncredited)
Lucy Calls the President
Movie • 1977
Lucy Whittaker
One Live Ghost
Movie • 1936
Maxine
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
Movie • 1933
Chorine / Girl at the Beach
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie • 1985
Self
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood
Movie • 1960
Self
Television: The First Fifty Years
Movie • 1999
Self / Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
Three for Two
Movie • 1975
Sally / Rita / Pauline
Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie
Movie • 1993
Self
The Farmer in the Dell
Movie • 1936
Gloria Wilson
The Big Parade of Comedy
Movie • 1964
Julie Hampton in 'Meet the People' (archive footage)
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
Movie • 2024
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Roman Scandals
Movie • 1933
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
The Three Musketeers
Movie • 1935
(uncredited)
Chatterbox
Movie • 1936
Lillian Temple
The Bowery
Movie • 1933
Blonde (uncredited)
Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
Movie • 2015
Lucy Ricardo / I Love Lucy (archive footage)
That's Entertainment! III
Movie • 1994
(archive footage)
The Dean Martin Christmas Show
Movie • 1968
Self - Guest (uncredited)
I Love Lucy: The Movie
Movie • 1953
Lucy Ricardo
Carnival
Movie • 1935
Nurse (uncredited)
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
Movie • 2004
(archive footage)
Swing Out, Sweet Land
Movie • 1970
Statue of Liberty (voice)
Happy Anniversary and Goodbye
Movie • 1974
Norma Michaels
Lucy Gets Lucky
Movie • 1975
Lucy Collins
What Now, Catherine Curtis?
Movie • 1976
Catherine Curtis
Lucy Moves to NBC
Movie • 1980
Self
A Star Is Born World Premiere
Movie • 1954
Self
This Is Bob Hope...
Movie • 2017
Self (archive footage)
Fugitive Lady
Movie • 1934
Beauty Operator (uncredited)
Hold That Girl
Movie • 1934
Girl (uncredited)
Men of the Night
Movie • 1934
Peggy (uncredited)
Perfectly Mismated
Movie • 1934
The Whole Town's Talking
Movie • 1935
Bank Employee (uncredited)
Hooray for Love
Movie • 1935
Chorine (uncredited)
Jealousy
Movie • 1934
(uncredited)
His Old Flame
Movie • 1935
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
Movie • 1935
Lucille Ball
Winterset
Movie • 1936
Girl (uncredited)
Muss 'em Up
Movie • 1936
Departing Train Passenger (uncredited)
Lucy in London
Movie • 1966
Lucy Carmichael
I'll Love You Always
Movie • 1935
Lucille (uncredited)
So and Sew
Movie • 1936
Sally Curtis
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
Movie • 1964
Bonnie Blakely
General Foods Opening Night
Movie • 1963
Dummy Ache
Movie • 1936
Actress
A Woman of Distinction
Movie • 1950
Self (uncredited)
Lucy's Really Lost Moments
Movie • 1956
Lucy Ricardo
Judy Garland: By Myself
Movie • 2004
Self (archive footage)
Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul
Movie • 1976
Self
Cher... and Other Fantasies
Movie • 1979
Cleaning Lady
Carol + 2
Movie • 1966
Self
The Best Of Danny Kaye - The Television Years
Movie • 1993
Self (archive footage)
Salute to Stan Laurel
Movie • 1965
Self
The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender
Movie • 1997
Self (archive footage)
The Jack Benny Birthday Special
Movie • 1969
Self
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
Movie • 1945
Self (uncredited)
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
Movie • 2016
Lucy
Ellis in Freedomland
Movie • 1952
The Laundromat (voice)
My Darling Vivian
Movie • 2020
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
Movie • 2001
Self (archive footage)
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
Movie • 2001
Self (archive footage)
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
Movie • 1998
Self - Roastee (archive footage)
NBC: The First Fifty Years
Movie • 1976
The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1
Movie • 1997
Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny
Movie • 1982
Self
G.I. Journal
Movie • 1944
Self
Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television
Movie • 1975
(archive footage)
The Bob Hope Chevy Show
Movie • 1956
Lucy Ricardo
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
Movie • 1987
Self
Pioneers of Primetime
Movie • 2005
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
Movie • 2000
Self (archive footage)
Carnival Nights
Movie • 1968
Self
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
Movie • 1986
Self
A Love Letter to Jack Benny
Movie • 1981
Herself
That's Dancing!
Movie • 1985
Self (archive footage)
A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music
Movie • 2025
Lucy Ricardo (archive footage) (uncredited)
A Tribute to Lucy
Movie • 1989
The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special
Movie
Life with Lucy
TV • 1986
Lucy Barker
Here's Lucy
TV • 1968
Lucy Carter
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TV • 1957
Lucy Ricardo
The Lucy Show
TV • 1962
Lucy Carmichael
Treffpunkt New York
TV • 1961
Self
I Love Lucy
TV • 1951
Lucy Ricardo
E! True Hollywood Story
TV • 1996
Password
TV • 1961
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
TV • 1958
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
TV • 1969
Self
This Is Your Life
TV • 1952
Self
The Flip Wilson Show
TV • 1970
Self
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
TV • 1973
Self
The Kennedy Center Honors
TV • 1978
Self
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
TV • 1957
Self
The Practice
TV • 1976
The Emmy Awards
TV • 1949
Self
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
TV • 1973
Self
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
TV • 1963
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Guest
Intimate Portrait
TV • 1993
Self (archive footage)
Startime
TV • 1959
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Co-Hostess
The Bob Hope Show
TV • 1950
Self
The Jack Benny Program
TV • 1950
Rachel Revere
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV • 1948
Self
The Pearl Bailey Show
TV • 1971
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
Dinah!
TV • 1974
Self
The Ed Wynn Show
TV • 1949
Self
The Carol Burnett Show
TV • 1967
Self - Guest
Entertainment Tonight
TV • 1981
Self
Donny & Marie
TV • 1976
Self
What's My Line?
TV • 1950
Self
The Ann Sothern Show
TV • 1958
Lucy Ricardo
The Dick Cavett Show
TV • 1968
Self - Guest
The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood
TV • 1987
Self
NBC Sunday Showcase
TV • 1959
Lucy Ricardo
The Danny Kaye Show
TV • 1963
Self
The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self
The Greatest Show on Earth
TV • 1963
Kate Reynolds
Body Language
TV • 1984
Self
MGM Parade
TV • 1955
Self