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”. She was 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 a movie star in the 1940s, and then a television star during the 1950s. She was still making films in the 1960s and 1970s.
Lucille Ball received thirteen Emmy Award nominations with 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.
During her career, Lucy starred with and performed with some of the greatest stars of the 20th Century. The following pictures are of just a few of the many Lucy could call “friend”.
Lucy with her good friend, Bob Hope c. 1960
Lucille Ball, John Wayne, Vivian Vance - 1955 behind the scenes of the "I Love Lucy Show"
Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett on "The Lucy Show"
Lucille Ball and Mickey Rooney doing a skit from "The Lucy Show"
Fred Astaire, Harpo Marx, Lucille Ball, & Jose Iturbi rehearse the routine they will put on for troops during a WWII USO tour
Louella Parsons, Desi Arnez, Lucille Ball - 1958
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