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Lucille Ball

Comedy history · 12 facts, each from at least two of 8 independent sources · last reviewed 2026-10-17

Lucille Ball (1911–1989) is associated with the TV series I Love Lucy, on which she portrayed the fictional character Lucy Ricardo.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 A native of Jamestown, New York, she played a key part in bringing the show into being in 1951.4,5,6,8,9

Early Life

Ball's birthday was August 6, 1911, and her birthplace was Jamestown, New York.5,6,8,9,10

I Love Lucy

The series premiered on television in October 1951.6,7,11 Ball took the part of Lucy Ricardo, while Desi Arnaz appeared as Ricky Ricardo.3,6,7

Personal Life

Ball and Arnaz divorced in 1960.3,6

Awards and Later Years

Ball earned thirteen Emmy Award nominations, winning four of them.5,9 In 1986, she was honored by the Kennedy Center with its Lifetime Achievement recognition.5,9 She died in 1989.1,2

Sources

  1. Ball, Lucille - National Women’s Hall of Fame (womenofthehall.org) · archived copy
  2. Lucille Ball at Hasty Pudding - Boston TV News Digital Library (bostonlocaltv.org) · archived copy
  3. Lucille Ball - Hollywood Walk of Fame (walkoffame.com)
  4. The home at 69 Stewart Ave., Jamestown, NY where the family of Lucille Ball, a pioneer female television comedian whose landmark television show, "I Love Lucy," captivated U.S. audiences in (loc.gov)
  5. Ball, Lucille | Women of the Hall (womenofthehall.org)
  6. The Many Names of Lucy and Family - Fenton History Center (fentonhistorycenter.org) · archived copy
  7. PBS Previews | American Masters "Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy" (pbs.org) · archived copy
  8. You Should See These Rare Photos of Lucille Ball (goodhousekeeping.com)
  9. Lucille Ball - Hollywood Walk of Fame (walkoffame.com) · archived copy
  10. Wyandotte Loves Lucy: Lucille Ball Lived Here as a Child - Wyandotte, MI Patch (patch.com) · archived copy
  11. Lucy and Desi's Love Story - How Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Met (countryliving.com)

Updated November 12, 2026.

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