Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball

Acting
Born 1911-08-06 - Died 1989-04-26Jamestown, 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.

Movies (165)

Kid Millions
6.7

Kid Millions

1934Movie6.7
Night of 100 Stars II
6.8

Night of 100 Stars II

1985Movie6.8
Yours, Mine and Ours
6.9

Yours, Mine and Ours

1968Movie6.9
Bob Hope's World of Comedy

Bob Hope's World of Comedy

1976Movie
Top Hat
7.3

Top Hat

1935Movie7.3
A Guide for the Married Man
5.9

A Guide for the Married Man

1967Movie5.9
Roberta
7.1

Roberta

1935Movie7.1
Dance, Girl, Dance
6.4

Dance, Girl, Dance

1940Movie6.4
The Fabulous Allan Carr
5.0

The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017Movie5.0
Lucy and Desi
7.0

Lucy and Desi

2022Movie7.0
A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music
5.0

A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music

2025Movie5.0
Ziegfeld Follies
6.0

Ziegfeld Follies

1945Movie6.0
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
2.0

Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers

1985Movie2.0
That's Entertainment! III
7.1

That's Entertainment! III

1994Movie7.1
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
5.5

A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob

1941Movie5.5
Carol + 2
10.0

Carol + 2

1966Movie10.0
Television: The First Fifty Years

Television: The First Fifty Years

1999Movie
Mame
5.8

Mame

1974Movie5.8
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
7.0

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

1983Movie7.0
The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender
5.3

The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender

1997Movie5.3
Stage Door
7.1

Stage Door

1937Movie7.1
Showbiz Goes to War
10.0

Showbiz Goes to War

1982Movie10.0
The Bowery
5.4

The Bowery

1933Movie5.4
Thousands Cheer
6.4

Thousands Cheer

1943Movie6.4
The Magic Carpet
6.0

The Magic Carpet

1951Movie6.0
Her Husband's Affairs
5.6

Her Husband's Affairs

1947Movie5.6
A Woman of Distinction
7.0

A Woman of Distinction

1950Movie7.0
Carnival Nights
7.0

Carnival Nights

1968Movie7.0
Room Service
6.6

Room Service

1938Movie6.6
The Long, Long Trailer
7.0

The Long, Long Trailer

1954Movie7.0
Critic's Choice
5.6

Critic's Choice

1963Movie5.6
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
6.0

Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood

1987Movie6.0
Winterset
6.0

Winterset

1936Movie6.0
Joy of Living
5.9

Joy of Living

1938Movie5.9
The Whole Town's Talking
6.9

The Whole Town's Talking

1935Movie6.9
Ellis in Freedomland

Ellis in Freedomland

1952Movie
The Fuller Brush Girl
6.1

The Fuller Brush Girl

1950Movie6.1
Stone Pillow
6.9

Stone Pillow

1985Movie6.9
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
6.5

The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

1998Movie6.5
Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story
6.4

Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story

2023Movie6.4
That's Dancing!
6.9

That's Dancing!

1985Movie6.9
Lured
6.3

Lured

1947Movie6.3
Easy Living
5.7

Easy Living

1949Movie5.7
My Darling Vivian
7.1

My Darling Vivian

2020Movie7.1
TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
5.3

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

2004Movie5.3
Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution
6.2

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution

2024Movie6.2
All Star Party for Lucille Ball
6.0

All Star Party for Lucille Ball

1984Movie6.0
The Dark Corner
6.6

The Dark Corner

1946Movie6.6
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
5.8

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood

1945Movie5.8
Du Barry Was a Lady
6.5

Du Barry Was a Lady

1943Movie6.5
Fancy Pants
5.8

Fancy Pants

1950Movie5.8
The Big Street
5.8

The Big Street

1942Movie5.8
The Big Parade of Comedy
7.2

The Big Parade of Comedy

1964Movie7.2
Sorrowful Jones
6.6

Sorrowful Jones

1949Movie6.6
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
7.3

The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour

1964Movie7.3
Follow the Fleet
6.9

Follow the Fleet

1936Movie6.9
Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored
2.0

Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored

2011Movie2.0
The Jack Benny Birthday Special
9.0

The Jack Benny Birthday Special

1969Movie9.0
The Marines Fly High
5.3

The Marines Fly High

1940Movie5.3
This Is Bob Hope...
7.7

This Is Bob Hope...

2017Movie7.7
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood
6.0

Hedda Hopper's Hollywood

1960Movie6.0
The Affairs of Annabel
5.4

The Affairs of Annabel

1938Movie5.4
I Dream Too Much
5.4

I Dream Too Much

1935Movie5.4
Fugitive Lady
8.0

Fugitive Lady

1934Movie8.0
Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie
8.2

Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie

1993Movie8.2
Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
6.0

Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC

1988Movie6.0
NBC: The First Fifty Years

NBC: The First Fifty Years

1976Movie
The Facts of Life
5.3

The Facts of Life

1960Movie5.3
A Star Is Born World Premiere
8.0

A Star Is Born World Premiere

1954Movie8.0
Roman Scandals
5.8

Roman Scandals

1933Movie5.8
Swing Out, Sweet Land
5.7

Swing Out, Sweet Land

1970Movie5.7
Broadway Bill
6.0

Broadway Bill

1934Movie6.0
Meet the People
5.8

Meet the People

1944Movie5.8
Without Love
7.0

Without Love

1945Movie7.0
Five Came Back
6.3

Five Came Back

1939Movie6.3
Jealousy
5.8

Jealousy

1934Movie5.8
Forever, Darling
6.9

Forever, Darling

1956Movie6.9
Swing It
4.7

Swing It

1936Movie4.7
Go Chase Yourself
5.7

Go Chase Yourself

1938Movie5.7
Bottoms Up
5.2

Bottoms Up

1934Movie5.2
Miss Grant Takes Richmond
5.6

Miss Grant Takes Richmond

1949Movie5.6
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
7.0

Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy

2000Movie7.0
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
5.7

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed

2023Movie5.7
Happy Anniversary and Goodbye
5.2

Happy Anniversary and Goodbye

1974Movie5.2
Lover Come Back
7.1

Lover Come Back

1946Movie7.1
Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back
5.6

Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back

1934Movie5.6
Old Man Rhythm
7.0

Old Man Rhythm

1935Movie7.0
That Girl from Paris
6.9

That Girl from Paris

1936Movie6.9
The Three Musketeers
6.9

The Three Musketeers

1935Movie6.9
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2

2001Movie
Dummy Ache
5.5

Dummy Ache

1936Movie5.5
Pioneers of Primetime

Pioneers of Primetime

2005Movie
Lucy in London
6.5

Lucy in London

1966Movie6.5
Murder at the Vanities
5.6

Murder at the Vanities

1934Movie5.6
Too Many Girls
5.9

Too Many Girls

1940Movie5.9
That's Right – You're Wrong
6.3

That's Right – You're Wrong

1939Movie6.3
The Dean Martin Christmas Show
7.6

The Dean Martin Christmas Show

1968Movie7.6
Easy to Wed
6.4

Easy to Wed

1946Movie6.4
The Time Element

The Time Element

Movie
Best Foot Forward
6.8

Best Foot Forward

1943Movie6.8
Men of the Night
4.5

Men of the Night

1934Movie4.5
Salute to Stan Laurel
8.0

Salute to Stan Laurel

1965Movie8.0
Hold That Girl
9.0

Hold That Girl

1934Movie9.0
His Old Flame
7.0

His Old Flame

1935Movie7.0
Panama Lady
6.3

Panama Lady

1939Movie6.3
Seven Days' Leave
7.3

Seven Days' Leave

1942Movie7.3
Carnival
8.0

Carnival

1935Movie8.0
Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
8.5

Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration

2015Movie8.5
Hooray for Love
5.8

Hooray for Love

1935Movie5.8
Judy Garland: By Myself
8.3

Judy Garland: By Myself

2004Movie8.3
Beauty for the Asking
5.7

Beauty for the Asking

1939Movie5.7
Behind the Evidence
5.5

Behind the Evidence

1935Movie5.5
Three for Two
4.3

Three for Two

1975Movie4.3
Having Wonderful Time
4.9

Having Wonderful Time

1938Movie4.9
Next Time I Marry
7.2

Next Time I Marry

1938Movie7.2
Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy
9.0

Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy

1989Movie9.0
The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1

The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1

2001Movie
The Affairs of Cellini
5.2

The Affairs of Cellini

1934Movie5.2
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
6.0

All Star Party for Clint Eastwood

1986Movie6.0
Moulin Rouge
7.0

Moulin Rouge

1934Movie7.0
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
6.3

Broadway Thru a Keyhole

1933Movie6.3
Nana
6.0

Nana

1934Movie6.0
G.I. Journal

G.I. Journal

1944Movie
Valley of the Sun
6.3

Valley of the Sun

1942Movie6.3
Muss 'em Up
6.2

Muss 'em Up

1936Movie6.2
You Can't Fool Your Wife
5.5

You Can't Fool Your Wife

1940Movie5.5
Lucy Calls the President
7.5

Lucy Calls the President

1977Movie7.5
I'll Love You Always
5.0

I'll Love You Always

1935Movie5.0
Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul

Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul

1976Movie
Cher... and Other Fantasies
10.0

Cher... and Other Fantasies

1979Movie10.0
General Foods Opening Night

General Foods Opening Night

1963Movie
Annabel Takes a Tour
5.7

Annabel Takes a Tour

1938Movie5.7
One Live Ghost
6.7

One Live Ghost

1936Movie6.7
Twelve Crowded Hours
5.7

Twelve Crowded Hours

1939Movie5.7
Two Smart People
6.6

Two Smart People

1946Movie6.6
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
8.0

A Night at the Biltmore Bowl

1935Movie8.0
So and Sew
8.0

So and Sew

1936Movie8.0
CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years
7.3

CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years

1976Movie7.3
Three Little Pigskins
7.1

Three Little Pigskins

1934Movie7.1
Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love

Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love

1969Movie
A Beverly Hills Christmas
3.5

A Beverly Hills Christmas

1987Movie3.5
Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special
7.0

Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special

1970Movie7.0
Look Who's Laughing
6.7

Look Who's Laughing

1941Movie6.7
The Farmer in the Dell
7.0

The Farmer in the Dell

1936Movie7.0
Bunker Bean
5.3

Bunker Bean

1936Movie5.3
Chatterbox
7.0

Chatterbox

1936Movie7.0
The Best Of Danny Kaye - The Television Years

The Best Of Danny Kaye - The Television Years

1993Movie
Don't Tell the Wife
6.0

Don't Tell the Wife

1937Movie6.0
Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer

Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer

2003Movie
Lucy Gets Lucky
4.5

Lucy Gets Lucky

1975Movie4.5
Blood Money
7.1

Blood Money

1933Movie7.1
I Love Lucy: The Movie
7.7

I Love Lucy: The Movie

1953Movie7.7
Perfectly Mismated
7.0

Perfectly Mismated

1934Movie7.0
Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television

Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television

1975Movie
The Bob Hope Chevy Show

The Bob Hope Chevy Show

1956Movie
Lucy's Really Lost Moments
6.5

Lucy's Really Lost Moments

1956Movie6.5
Lucy Moves to NBC
3.3

Lucy Moves to NBC

1980Movie3.3
Foolish Hearts

Foolish Hearts

1935Movie
A Love Letter to Jack Benny

A Love Letter to Jack Benny

1981Movie
I Love Lucy Christmas Special
10.0

I Love Lucy Christmas Special

2016Movie10.0
The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special

The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special

Movie
What Now, Catherine Curtis?
8.5

What Now, Catherine Curtis?

1976Movie8.5
The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1
8.5

The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1

1997Movie8.5
Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny
10.0

Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny

1982Movie10.0
A Tribute to Lucy

A Tribute to Lucy

1989Movie

TV Shows (42)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962Series7.5
The Mike Douglas Show
5.8

The Mike Douglas Show

1961Series5.8
I Love Lucy
7.9

I Love Lucy

1951Series7.9
The Merv Griffin Show
6.8

The Merv Griffin Show

1962Series6.8
The Lucy Show
7.0

The Lucy Show

1962Series7.0
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
5.9

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

1963Series5.9
Intimate Portrait
4.5

Intimate Portrait

1993Series4.5
Omnibus
7.2

Omnibus

1967Series7.2
What's My Line?
7.0

What's My Line?

1950Series7.0
The Dick Cavett Show
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show

1968Series6.8
The Carol Burnett Show
7.7

The Carol Burnett Show

1967Series7.7
Dinah!
7.0

Dinah!

1974Series7.0
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
7.5

Tonight Starring Jack Paar

1957Series7.5
The Ed Sullivan Show
6.8

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948Series6.8
Body Language
8.0

Body Language

1984Series8.0
Here's Lucy
6.7

Here's Lucy

1968Series6.7
This Is Your Life
6.5

This Is Your Life

1952Series6.5
The Bob Hope Show
7.0

The Bob Hope Show

1950Series7.0
The Jack Benny Program
7.8

The Jack Benny Program

1950Series7.8
The Flip Wilson Show
4.8

The Flip Wilson Show

1970Series4.8
MGM Parade
7.5

MGM Parade

1955Series7.5
The Kennedy Center Honors
7.4

The Kennedy Center Honors

1978Series7.4
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
6.3

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

1958Series6.3
Entertainment Tonight
4.3

Entertainment Tonight

1981Series4.3
The Danny Kaye Show
7.0

The Danny Kaye Show

1963Series7.0
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
5.4

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

1973Series5.4
The Greatest Show on Earth
7.5

The Greatest Show on Earth

1963Series7.5
Donny & Marie
6.8

Donny & Marie

1976Series6.8
Password
7.5

Password

1961Series7.5
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
6.8

The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour

1969Series6.8
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
6.3

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

1973Series6.3
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
8.7

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

1957Series8.7
The Ann Sothern Show
7.5

The Ann Sothern Show

1958Series7.5
The Ed Wynn Show
7.7

The Ed Wynn Show

1949Series7.7
The Practice
7.5

The Practice

1976Series7.5
Life with Lucy
8.0

Life with Lucy

1986Series8.0
The Emmy Awards
7.9

The Emmy Awards

1949Series7.9
Treffpunkt New York

Treffpunkt New York

1961Series
NBC Sunday Showcase
5.0

NBC Sunday Showcase

1959Series5.0
The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood
9.0

The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood

1987Series9.0
E! True Hollywood Story
8.1

E! True Hollywood Story

1996Series8.1
The Pearl Bailey Show
8.0

The Pearl Bailey Show

1971Series8.0