Lucille Ball Birthday (Date, Age, How Old)
Last Updated: November 8, 2024
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Lucille Desiree Ball
Nickname:
Technicolor Tessie, The First Lady of Television, The Queen of Comedy
Birth date:
August 6, 1911
Death date:
April 26, 1989 (age 77)
Height:
5″ 7″
Relationship Status:
Married
Background
Lucille Desiree Ball was born in Jamestown, New York on August 6, 1911. Her father, Henry Durrell “Had” Ball, passed away when she was three years old. Raised by her grandparents alongside her brother, Lucille showed early signs of determination and zest for life. After initial setbacks in her acting career, she eventually made her way to Hollywood, where she had various roles in movies and theater. In 1940, she met Desi Arnaz while working on “Too Many Girls” on Broadway, marking the beginning of a significant personal and professional relationship. Over the years, Ball became a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, taking on diverse roles and making her mark on television and radio.
Lucille Ball’s career included notable performances in films like “Stage Door” (1937) and “The Big Street” (1942), as well as her iconic role in the TV show “I Love Lucy.” Her talent and comedic timing endeared her to audiences, earning her the title “The Queen of Comedy.” Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Ball persevered and left a lasting legacy in entertainment. Her contributions to the industry continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans and fellow actors alike.
Lucille Ball’s journey serves as an inspiration to many aspiring performers, showcasing the importance of resilience, passion, and a good sense of humor in overcoming obstacles and achieving success in a competitive field like show business.
In the 1943 film “Best Foot Forward,” she starred before featuring in “Lover Come Back” in 1946. Establishing her radio comedic presence, she portrayed the absent-minded wife of a Midwest banker in the 1948 show “My Favorite Husband.” CBS’s interest was piqued in 1950 as they envisioned transforming it into a television series. The inception of “I Love Lucy,” the iconic and universally cherished sitcom, commenced when Desi negotiated the roles with the network executives. Throughout its peak, the show consistently dominated U.S. ratings, serving as a stellar platform for Lucille Ball. Upon the conclusion of “I Love Lucy” in 1957, the core cast reprised their roles in hour-long specials branded as “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” Recognizing her contributions, Ball was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960; one for her motion picture contributions at 6436 Hollywood Boulevard and the other for her television arts and sciences contributions at 6100 Hollywood Boulevard.
The 1960 Broadway musical “Wildcat” faced premature closure after struggling with ticket sales, attributed to Ball’s convalescent challenges. The number ‘Hey, Look Me Over,’ which she performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show” alongside Paula Stewart, drew inspiration from the musical.
Ball encountered Desi Arnaz, a Cuban bandleader, during the filming of the 1940 Rodgers and Hart stage classic “Too Many Girls.” Despite an initial divorce filing in 1944, they reconciled and had two children: Lucie Désirée Arnaz in 1951 and Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV in 1953. After their divorce in 1960, following a long-standing amicable relationship, Ball met her second husband, Gary Morton, through her close friend Paula Stewart. Ball’s sudden demise at 77, resulting from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm post-surgery, marked the end of an era.
Ball was commemorated with three memorial services, with her final resting place being the Lake View Cemetery in Jamestown, alongside her mother at the Hunt family plot. In 2007, her brother was also laid to rest in the same cemetery.