Lucille Ball
Born Lucille Desiree Ball on
Aug. 6, 1911
in Jamestown, NY
Died
April 26, 1989
of ruptured abdominal aorta in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center [formerly Cedars of Lebanon Hospital], CA
Lucille Ball was a leggy showgirl, model and B-grade movie queen whose pumpkin hair and genius for comedy made her an icon of television. A tough-talking woman, Ball used her stardom and show business savvy to become, with her then-husband, the late Desi Arnaz, head of one of Hollywood's major studios, Desilu. Despite her business acumen, she remained the unquestioned queen of television comedy. From her star-struck childhood through her struggles as a wisecracking movie actress in the 1930s and '40s to the television career that made her a legend, Ball's life was in the best show business tradition of rags to riches. Almost humbly, she liked to say she owed her enormous success not so much to talent but to a magical combination of guts and good supporting players. Her greatest achievements, she always would add, were not any milestones in her career but ranked somewhere under the birth of her two children, Lucie in 1951 and Desi Jr., two years later. "I Love Lucy," a product of TV's Golden Age which Ball co-created and starred in, continues via syndication to be viewed by millions around the world. "I am not funny," Ball told an interviewer for Rolling Stone magazine in 1983. "My writers were funny. My directors were funny. The situations were funny. . . . What I am is brave. I have never been scared. Not when I did movies, certainly not when I was a model and not when I did "I Love Lucy."
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10 thoughts about Lucille Ball
I remember selling her a newspaper at the l960 Bing Crosby Golf Tourney, I was 10 and I remember how OLD her hands looked - I was expecting a big tip for the paper which cost only a dime, and thats what I got a dime....still love her, she was great. On another note, why havent the great rock n roll group THE KINKS been issued a hollywood star?
Ray Davies wrote a classic song about it called CELLULOID HEROES in l971
Lucille Ball was the best! Nobody can ever be like her. We still love to watch the 'I Love Lucy' show all the time. My grandchildren even know who Lucy is....Miss her humor!
She was the best. I love her and always will. I think she definatly deserved to be on the walk of fame.
I LOVE LUCy! its the show ive watched growing up with my then 70 year old grandmother who doesnt even understand english but would laugh every time she watched lucy and all her hilarious expressions! MEMORIES~ ...and im only in my 20's! i wish she was still alive so i could meet her, thatd be wonderful.
I remember the night Lucy died, I cried myself to sleep. I had a rough childhood and watching her show got me through all of it. When I would stay home from school sick I would watch "I Love Lucy" and I would feel a little better. I watch the reruns every weekend now and my husband says havent you seen all of them? But every time I watch her it brightens my day.
Among flight attendents on the old PSA airline Lucy used to fly frequently down to San Diego, she was known as one of the meanest and most difficult passengers ever. Lucille Ball was definitely not funny in this setting and was indeed very brave in treating those around her like dirt.
I ADORE I L0ve Lucy. It was my favorite show. I really wish she was still here! I Really want to meet her! Oh well:(
I am so proud to have been born on her birthday! Have always loved her. Funniest woman ever! RIP Lucy, dear.
OOOHHH Lucy I'm Home!!! Im only 14 and I know what this is! she was such a good actress!!
Lucy the most sought after actress and comedian ever. I watch reruns every morning to start my day on a happy note they never get old.
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