Acting · Jamestown, New York, USA · Born August 6, 1911
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.
A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music
2025
as Lucy Ricardo (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieOutstanding: A Comedy Revolution
2024
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieRock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieLucy and Desi
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMy Darling Vivian
2020
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThis Is Bob Hope...
2017
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Fabulous Allan Carr
2017
as Self (archive)
MovieI Love Lucy Christmas Special
2016
as Lucy
MovieMary Tyler Moore: A Celebration
2015
as Lucy Ricardo / I Love Lucy (archive footage)
MovieClassic TV Bloopers Uncensored
2011
as Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
MoviePioneers of Primetime
2005
MovieJudy Garland: By Myself
2004
as Self (archive footage)
MovieTV in Black: The First Fifty Years
2004
as (archive footage)
MovieBiography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer
2003
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1
2001
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2
2001
as Self (archive footage)
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
2000
as Self (archive footage)
Television: The First Fifty Years
1999
as Self / Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
MovieThe Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998
as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
MovieThe Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender
1997
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1
1997
TVE! True Hollywood Story
1996
MovieThat's Entertainment! III
1994
as (archive footage)
TVIntimate Portrait
1993
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Best Of Danny Kaye - The Television Years
1993
as Self (archive footage)
MovieLucy and Desi: A Home Movie
1993
as Self
Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy
1989
as (archive footage)
A Tribute to Lucy
1989
MovieHappy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC
1988
as Self
MovieA Beverly Hills Christmas
1987
as Self
TVThe RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood
1987
as Self
MovieHappy 100th Birthday, Hollywood
1987
as Self
All Star Party for Clint Eastwood
1986
as Self
TVLife with Lucy
1986
as Lucy Barker
MovieStone Pillow
1985
as Florabelle
MovieNight of 100 Stars II
1985
as Self
MovieThat's Dancing!
1985
as Self (archive footage)
MovieHollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
1985
as Self (archive footage)
All Star Party for Lucille Ball
1984
as Self
TVBody Language
1984
as Self
MovieHollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieShowbiz Goes to War
1982
as Self (archive footage)
Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny
1982
as Self
TVEntertainment Tonight
1981
as Self
MovieA Love Letter to Jack Benny
1981
as Herself
MovieLucy Moves to NBC
1980
as Self
MovieCher... and Other Fantasies
1979
as Cleaning Lady
TVThe Kennedy Center Honors
1978
as Self
MovieLucy Calls the President
1977
as Lucy Whittaker
MovieCBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years
1976
as Self
MovieNBC: The First Fifty Years
1976
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
1976
as Self
MovieWhat Now, Catherine Curtis?
1976
as Catherine Curtis
TVThe Practice
1976
TVDonny & Marie
1976
as Self
MovieShirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul
1976
as Self
MovieThree for Two
1975
as Sally / Rita / Pauline
Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television
1975
as (archive footage)
MovieLucy Gets Lucky
1975
as Lucy Collins
MovieHappy Anniversary and Goodbye
1974
as Norma Michaels
TVDinah!
1974
as Self
MovieMame
1974
as Mame Dennis
TVThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
as Self
TVThe American Film Institute Salute to ...
1973
as Self
The Pearl Bailey Show
1971
as Self
Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special
1970
as Janet (uncredited)
TVThe Flip Wilson Show
1970
as Self
MovieSwing Out, Sweet Land
1970
as Statue of Liberty (voice)
Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love
1969
as Self
The Jack Benny Birthday Special
1969
as Self
TVThe Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1969
as Self
MovieThe Dean Martin Christmas Show
1968
as Self - Guest (uncredited)
TVHere's Lucy
1968
as Lucy Carter
TVThe Dick Cavett Show
1968
as Self - Guest
MovieYours, Mine and Ours
1968
as Helen North Beardsley
MovieCarnival Nights
1968
as Self
TVOmnibus
1967
TVThe Carol Burnett Show
1967
as Self - Guest
MovieA Guide for the Married Man
1967
as Technical Adviser
MovieLucy in London
1966
as Lucy Carmichael
MovieCarol + 2
1966
as Self
Salute to Stan Laurel
1965
as Self
MovieThe Big Parade of Comedy
1964
as Julie Hampton in 'Meet the People' (archive footage)
MovieThe Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
1964
as Bonnie Blakely
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963
as Self
TVThe Danny Kaye Show
1963
as Self
General Foods Opening Night
1963
The Greatest Show on Earth
1963
as Kate Reynolds
MovieCritic's Choice
1963
as Angela Ballantine
TVThe Lucy Show
1962
as Lucy Carmichael
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
TVThe Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self - Guest
TVPassword
1961
Treffpunkt New York
1961
as Self
MovieThe Facts of Life
1960
as Kitty Weaver
MovieHedda Hopper's Hollywood
1960
as Self
NBC Sunday Showcase
1959
as Lucy Ricardo
TVWestinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1958
TVThe Ann Sothern Show
1958
as Lucy Ricardo
TVThe Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
1957
as Lucy Ricardo
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
1957
as Self
MovieThe Bob Hope Chevy Show
1956
as Lucy Ricardo
MovieForever, Darling
1956
as Susan Vega
MovieLucy's Really Lost Moments
1956
as Lucy Ricardo
TVMGM Parade
1955
as Self
MovieA Star Is Born World Premiere
1954
as Self
MovieThe Long, Long Trailer
1954
as Tacy Collini
MovieI Love Lucy: The Movie
1953
as Lucy Ricardo / Self
TVThis Is Your Life
1952
as Self
MovieEllis in Freedomland
1952
as The Laundromat (voice)
MovieThe Magic Carpet
1951
as Princess Narah
TVI Love Lucy
1951
as Lucy Ricardo
TVThe Jack Benny Program
1950
as Rachel Revere
MovieThe Fuller Brush Girl
1950
as Sally Elliot
MovieFancy Pants
1950
as Agatha Floud
TVThe Bob Hope Show
1950
as Self
MovieA Woman of Distinction
1950
as Self (uncredited)
TVWhat's My Line?
1950
as Self
MovieMiss Grant Takes Richmond
1949
as Ellen Grant
MovieEasy Living
1949
as Anne, Lenahan's Secretary
The Ed Wynn Show
1949
as Self
MovieSorrowful Jones
1949
as Gladys O'Neill
TVThe Emmy Awards
1949
as Self
TVThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
MovieHer Husband's Affairs
1947
as Margaret Weldon
MovieLured
1947
as Sandra Carpenter
MovieEasy to Wed
1946
as Gladys Benton
MovieLover Come Back
1946
as Kay Williams
MovieTwo Smart People
1946
as Ricki Woodner
MovieThe Dark Corner
1946
as Kathleen Stewart
MovieBud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
1945
as Self (uncredited)
MovieZiegfeld Follies
1945
as Lucille Ball (segment "Here's to the Ladies")
MovieWithout Love
1945
as Kitty Trimble
G.I. Journal
1944
as Self
MovieMeet the People
1944
as Julie Hampton
MovieBest Foot Forward
1943
as Lucille Ball
MovieThousands Cheer
1943
as Lucille Ball
MovieDu Barry Was a Lady
1943
as May Daly / Madame Du Barry
MovieSeven Days' Leave
1942
as Terry Havalok-Allen
MovieThe Big Street
1942
as Gloria Lyons
MovieValley of the Sun
1942
as Christine Larson
MovieLook Who's Laughing
1941
as Julie Patterson
MovieA Girl, a Guy, and a Gob
1941
as Dot Duncan
MovieToo Many Girls
1940
as Connie Casey
MovieDance, Girl, Dance
1940
as Bubbles
MovieYou Can't Fool Your Wife
1940
as Clara Fields Hinklin
MovieThe Marines Fly High
1940
as Joan Grant
MovieThat's Right – You're Wrong
1939
as Sandra Sand
MovieFive Came Back
1939
as Peggy Nolan
MoviePanama Lady
1939
as Lucy
MovieBeauty for the Asking
1939
as Jean Russell
MovieTwelve Crowded Hours
1939
as Paula Sanders
MovieNext Time I Marry
1938
as Nancy Crocker Fleming
MovieAnnabel Takes a Tour
1938
as Annabel Allison
MovieRoom Service
1938
as Christine Marlowe
MovieThe Affairs of Annabel
1938
as Annabel Allison
MovieHaving Wonderful Time
1938
as Miriam
MovieJoy of Living
1938
as Salina Garret Pine
MovieGo Chase Yourself
1938
as Carol Meeley
MovieStage Door
1937
as Judith
MovieDon't Tell the Wife
1937
as Annie Howell
MovieThat Girl from Paris
1936
as Claire Williams
MovieWinterset
1936
as Girl (uncredited)
MovieOne Live Ghost
1936
as Maxine
So and Sew
1936
as Sally Curtis
MovieDummy Ache
1936
as Actress
Swing It
1936
as Mary (uncredited)
MovieBunker Bean
1936
as Rosie Kelly
MovieThe Farmer in the Dell
1936
as Gloria Wilson
MovieFollow the Fleet
1936
as Kitty Collins
MovieMuss 'em Up
1936
as Departing Train Passenger (uncredited)
MovieChatterbox
1936
as Lillian Temple
Foolish Hearts
1935
as Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
MovieI Dream Too Much
1935
as Gwendolyn Dilley
MovieThe Three Musketeers
1935
as (uncredited)
MovieTop Hat
1935
as Flower Shop Clerk (uncredited)
MovieOld Man Rhythm
1935
as College Girl
MovieA Night at the Biltmore Bowl
1935
as Lucille Ball
MovieHooray for Love
1935
as Chorine (uncredited)
MovieI'll Love You Always
1935
as Lucille (uncredited)
MovieRoberta
1935
as Fashion Model (uncredited)
MovieThe Whole Town's Talking
1935
as Bank Employee (uncredited)
MovieCarnival
1935
as Nurse (uncredited)
His Old Flame
1935
Behind the Evidence
1935
as Secretary (uncredited)
MovieFugitive Lady
1934
as Beauty Operator (uncredited)
MovieThree Little Pigskins
1934
as Daisy Simms
MovieBroadway Bill
1934
as Blonde Telephone Operator (uncredited)
MovieJealousy
1934
as (uncredited)
MovieMen of the Night
1934
as Peggy (uncredited)
MoviePerfectly Mismated
1934
MovieKid Millions
1934
as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
MovieThe Affairs of Cellini
1934
as Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
MovieBulldog Drummond Strikes Back
1934
as Bridesmaid
MovieMurder at the Vanities
1934
as Earl Carroll Girl (uncredited)
MovieBottoms Up
1934
as Chorine (uncredited)
MovieHold That Girl
1934
as Girl (uncredited)
MovieNana
1934
as Chorus Girl (uncredited)
MovieMoulin Rouge
1934
as Show Girl (uncredited)
MovieRoman Scandals
1933
as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
MovieBlood Money
1933
as Davy's Girlfriend (uncredited)
MovieBroadway Thru a Keyhole
1933
as Chorine / Girl at the Beach
MovieThe Bowery
1933
as Blonde (uncredited)
MovieThe Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special
MovieThe Time Element
as Self
