When I Love Lucy premiered on CBS on October 15, 1951, it changed the face of television in countless ways. He met his co-star and future wife, Lucille Ball, on set at RKO Studios and a legendary creative partnership was born.

A leading role in the Broadway musical Too Many Girls led to Desi being cast in a 1940 Hollywood film adaptation. Desi’s musical talents led to his becoming a breakout star at premiere night spots in New York City and introducing the Conga dance craze to America. Despite early setbacks, her relentless drive and incomparable talent led to Hollywood success when she went on to appear in over 100 films before launching her broadcast career in 1948 as the star of the popular CBS radio sitcom My Favorite Husband.ĭesi Arnaz was born of privilege in Santiago, Cuba, but lost everything when the Batista revolution forced him to flee to the United States as a young refugee.

Together, they revolutionized the broadcasting industry with the creation of the beloved and groundbreaking sitcom I Love Lucy, and the founding of Desilu Studios-one of the most innovative production centers in Hollywood history.īorn and raised in Jamestown, NY, Lucille Ball was determined to pursue a show business career from an early age, making her way to New York City at 15 to study drama and modeling. Known as the “First Couple of Comedy,” Lucille and Desi were innovators behind the scenes, risk-takers in business, and masters of the comedic craft. As pioneering artists and industry leaders, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz shaped our cultural heritage and charted a course for American entertainment history.

Lucille ball