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