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LUCILLE BALL QUEEN OF THE SMALL SCREEN AND A TV PIONEER

FULL NAME: Lucille Désirée Ball

BORN: AUGUST 6, 1911, JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK, U.S.A.

DIED: APRIL 26, 1989, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

NATIONALITY: AMERICAN

U.S. postage stamp, circa 2009, to commemorate the much-loved T.V. series, I Love Lucy

QUEEN OF COMEDY

Lucille Désirée Ball had many nicknames: Queen of the B Movie, First Lady of Television, Queen of Comedy, and, simply, “Lucy.” In a packed career, Lucille was a model, comedian, actress, producer—and the first woman to run a major television studio. Her larger-than-life screen presence ensured that, in spite of the black-and-white TV sets of the time, her vibrant red hair and incredible talent shone through. Lucille had an impressively long career in television, lasting over 65 years.

FROM STAGE TO SCREENS, BOTH BIG AND SMALL

After starting work as a model under the name Diane Belmont, Lucille began performing on Broadway. This was followed by bit parts for RKO Radio Pictures, where she was a “contract player” (a step up from an extra). During that time, Lucille earned the nickname of “Queen of the B Movie” for the sheer number of films she appeared in—72 in all. In spite of her beauty and incredible screen presence, her big break came in the unexpected form of a radio show called My Favorite Husband. It was there that Lucille, soon to be known as one of America’s best-loved comedians, would find her niche. She had a contract from CBS and the world of TV laid out at her feet.

AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS
	FIRST WOMAN TO RUN A MAJOR TV STUDIO
	CREATOR OF ONE OF MOST ICONIC SHOWS IN TV HISTORY
In everything from content to cinematography, Desilu Productions was groundbreaking.

MODERN LIFE

In 1940, Lucille married Desi Arnaz, a Cuban bandleader she met on set. Together, the pair would go on to create and co-own both the Desilu Production Company and the I Love Lucy show: one of the most iconic shows in television history. I Love Lucy debuted in 1951 and was an instant success. Ahead of its time, the show dealt with modern issues: women in the workplace, marital strife, troubled suburbia—all through the lens of Lucille’s incredible gift for humor and outlandish mischief. The show also broke new ground by showing Lucy and Desi as an interracial couple, as well as Lucy’s onscreen pregnancy. Generations of comedians have been inspired by her work, including Carole Burnett and Robin Williams. For the majority of its run, I Love Lucy was the number-one show in the country, receiving incredible viewer ratings. In 1962, Lucille took sole control of Desilu Productions—the first time a woman had been in charge of a major TV studio. Desilu was also a pioneer of the live studio audience and the use of multiple cameras.

THE LEGACY OF LUCY

Lucille won four Emmys and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1984. After her death, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1989, and in 1990 Newsweek selected her as the top female entertainer of the 20th century. Lucille’s passion, ambition, and clear vision created an unforgettable showbiz success and one of the most influential actresses of her time. Her perfect comic timing and slapstick perfection continue to inspire generations of comedians and actors.

Lucille, circa 1988, attending a celebrity charity event