Lucille Ball August 6, 1911 - April 26, 1989.
Born Lucille Desiree Ball in Jamestown, New York. In 1926, Lucy enrolled in the John Murray Anderson dramatic school in Manhattan, where Bette Davis was also a pupil, but due to her shyness she was discouraged by her teachers to continue. Lucy plugged away until she landed various chorus girl and modeling jobs. In 1933 managed to become one of the singing and dancing "Goldwyn Girls"for movie producer Samuel Goldwyn.
She married Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in 1940, but despite an obvious strong affection for one another, they separated and considered divorce numerous times during the war years. Hoping to keep her household together, Lucy sought out professional work in which she could work with Desi. She was finally offered her own starring TV series in 1950, but refused to do it unless Arnaz would co-star with her.
Television was a godsend for the Arnazs. Desi discovered he had a natural executive ability, and soon he was calling all the shots for what would become "I Love Lucy." From 1951 through 1957, I Love Lucy was the most popular sitcom on television. Lucy was finally, after years of career stops and starts, firmly established as a mega-star in her role of a zany, disaster prone Lucy Ricardo.
Lucille's last television appearance was just weeks before her death. She appeared with Bob Hope, who was in many respect her male counter part in show business. Together they presented a production number featuring rising young talent on the 1989 telecast of the Academy Awards.
This picture of Lucy was taken in 1943 for a film "Best Foot Forward"
In autumn of 2001, Lucille Balls older fans were treated to a glamourous reappraisal in Modern Maturity magazine.
Lucy as a top Hattie Carnegie mannequin in New York, circa 1932, decked out in the designers famous low-hemmed white sharkskin suit.
In her starlet period Lucy was glad for any assignment, no matter how ludicrous. Here she cracks a rhinestone whip as the cats dance in The Zeigfeld Follies (1946).
"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age."Lucille Ball
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