Lucille Ball
Biography
Lucille Ball was an American actress known for her work in film, television, stage, and radio. She began acting in the 1930s and became a radio actress and B-movie star in the 1940s. Ball transitioned to television during the 1950s and continued to make films in the 1960s and 1970s. She is associated with several sitcoms, including I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life With Lucy. Ball received multiple Emmy Award nominations and wins, with a total of thirteen nominations and four wins. She was born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, and passed away on April 26, 1989.
Career overview
Lucille Ball began her acting career in the 1930s, transitioning to radio and B-movies in the 1940s. She gained prominence as a television star during the 1950s. Her career spanned multiple decades, with continued work in film and television through the 1960s and 1970s.
Ball's acting credits include appearances in various sitcoms, including I Love Lucy, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life With Lucy. Her work on these shows contributed to her enduring popularity and influence in the entertainment industry.
Throughout her career, Ball accumulated thirteen Emmy Award nominations and four wins.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music (2025) as Lucy Ricardo (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution (2024) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Lucy and Desi (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- My Darling Vivian (2020) as Self (archive footage)
- This Is Bob Hope... (2017) as Self (archive footage)
- The Fabulous Allan Carr (2017) as Self (archive)
- I Love Lucy Christmas Special (2016) as Lucy
- Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration (2015) as Lucy Ricardo / I Love Lucy (archive footage)
- Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored (2011) as Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
- Pioneers of Primetime (2005)
- Judy Garland: By Myself (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004) as (archive footage)
- Biography: Bob Hope: America's Entertainer (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 2 (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 1 (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy (2000) as Self (archive footage)
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self / Lucy Ricardo (archive footage)
- The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1998) as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
- The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1 (1997)
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage)
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie (1993) as Self
- The Best Of Danny Kaye - The Television Years (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- Chicago Joe and the Showgirl (1990) In Memory Of
- Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy (1989) as (archive footage)
- A Tribute to Lucy (1989)
- Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years with NBC (1988) as Self
- The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood (1987) as Self
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
- A Beverly Hills Christmas (1987) as Self
- Life with Lucy (1986) as Lucy Barker
- All Star Party for Clint Eastwood (1986) as Self
- Stone Pillow (1985) as Florabelle
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- That's Dancing! (1985) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers (1985) as Self (archive footage)
- Body Language (1984) as Self
- All Star Party for Lucille Ball (1984) as Self
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Showbiz Goes to War (1982) as Self (archive footage)
- Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny (1982) as Self
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- A Love Letter to Jack Benny (1981) as Herself
- Bungle Abbey (1981) Director
- Bungle Abbey (1981) Executive Producer
- Lucy Moves to NBC (1980) as Self
- Cher... and Other Fantasies (1979) as Cleaning Lady
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- Lucy Calls the President (1977) as Lucy Whittaker
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- The Practice (1976)
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self
- NBC: The First Fifty Years (1976)
- Shirley MacLaine: Gypsy in My Soul (1976) as Self
- CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years (1976) as Self
- What Now, Catherine Curtis? (1976) as Catherine Curtis
- What Now, Catherine Curtis? (1976) Executive Producer
- Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television (1975) as (archive footage)
- Three for Two (1975) as Sally / Rita / Pauline
- Three for Two (1975) Executive Producer
- Lucy Gets Lucky (1975) as Lucy Collins
- Lucy Gets Lucky (1975) Executive In Charge Of Production
- Lucy Gets Lucky (1975) Executive Producer
- The Columbia Pictures 50th Anniversary Special (1975) Producer
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Mame (1974) as Mame Dennis
- Happy Anniversary and Goodbye (1974) as Norma Michaels
- Happy Anniversary and Goodbye (1974) Executive Producer
- The American Film Institute Salute to ... (1973) as Self
- The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973) as Self
- The Pearl Bailey Show (1971) as Self
- The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
- Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970) as Statue of Liberty (voice)
- Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary TV Special (1970) as Janet (uncredited)
- The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1969) as Self
- The Jack Benny Birthday Special (1969) as Self
- Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love (1969) as Self
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Here's Lucy (1968) as Lucy Carter
- Here's Lucy (1968) Director
- Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) as Helen North Beardsley
- The Dean Martin Christmas Show (1968) as Self - Guest (uncredited)
- Carnival Nights (1968) as Self
- Omnibus (1967)
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest
- A Guide for the Married Man (1967) as Technical Adviser
- Carol + 2 (1966) as Self
- Lucy in London (1966) as Lucy Carmichael
- Salute to Stan Laurel (1965) as Self
- Star Trek: The Cage (1965) Executive Producer
- The Big Parade of Comedy (1964) as Julie Hampton in 'Meet the People' (archive footage)
- The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour (1964) as Bonnie Blakely
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Self
- The Danny Kaye Show (1963) as Self
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1963) as Kate Reynolds
- Critic's Choice (1963) as Angela Ballantine
- Surf Scene (1963) Executive Producer
- General Foods Opening Night (1963)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self (archive footage)
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Lucy Show (1962) as Lucy Carmichael
- The Lucy Show (1962) Executive In Charge Of Production
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Guest
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Hostess
- Password (1961)
- Treffpunkt New York (1961) as Self
- Alcatraz Express (1961) Executive Producer
- Dragon by the Tail (1961) Executive Producer
- The Gun of Zangara (1960) Executive Producer
- The Facts of Life (1960) as Kitty Weaver
- Hedda Hopper's Hollywood (1960) as Self
- NBC Sunday Showcase (1959) as Lucy Ricardo
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
- The Ann Sothern Show (1958) as Lucy Ricardo
- Strange Witness (1958) Producer
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Lucy Ricardo
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) Producer
- U.S. Marshall (1956) Producer's Assistant
- Forever, Darling (1956) as Susan Vega
- The Bob Hope Chevy Show (1956) as Lucy Ricardo
- Lucy's Really Lost Moments (1956) as Lucy Ricardo
- MGM Parade (1955) as Self
- The Long, Long Trailer (1954) as Tacy Collini
- A Star Is Born World Premiere (1954) as Self
- I Love Lucy: The Movie (1953) as Lucy Ricardo / Self
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
- Cavalcade of America (1952) Executive Producer
- Ellis in Freedomland (1952) as The Laundromat (voice)
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Lucy Ricardo
- The Magic Carpet (1951) as Princess Narah
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Rachel Revere
- The Fuller Brush Girl (1950) as Sally Elliot
- Fancy Pants (1950) as Agatha Floud
- A Woman of Distinction (1950) as Self (uncredited)
- The Emmy Awards (1949) as Self
- The Ed Wynn Show (1949) as Self
- Sorrowful Jones (1949) as Gladys O'Neill
- Easy Living (1949) as Anne, Lenahan's Secretary
- Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949) as Ellen Grant
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Her Husband's Affairs (1947) as Margaret Weldon
- Lured (1947) as Sandra Carpenter
- The Dark Corner (1946) as Kathleen Stewart
- Two Smart People (1946) as Ricki Woodner
- Easy to Wed (1946) as Gladys Benton
- Lover Come Back (1946) as Kay Williams
- Ziegfeld Follies (1945) as Lucille Ball (segment "Here's to the Ladies")
- Without Love (1945) as Kitty Trimble
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood (1945) as Self (uncredited)
- G.I. Journal (1944) as Self
- Meet the People (1944) as Julie Hampton
- Du Barry Was a Lady (1943) as May Daly / Madame Du Barry
- Thousands Cheer (1943) as Lucille Ball
- Best Foot Forward (1943) as Lucille Ball
- The Big Street (1942) as Gloria Lyons
- Seven Days' Leave (1942) as Terry Havalok-Allen
- Valley of the Sun (1942) as Christine Larson
- A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob (1941) as Dot Duncan
- Look Who's Laughing (1941) as Julie Patterson
- Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) as Bubbles
- Too Many Girls (1940) as Connie Casey
- You Can't Fool Your Wife (1940) as Clara Fields Hinklin
- The Marines Fly High (1940) as Joan Grant
- Five Came Back (1939) as Peggy Nolan
- Twelve Crowded Hours (1939) as Paula Sanders
- Panama Lady (1939) as Lucy
- Beauty for the Asking (1939) as Jean Russell
- That's Right – You're Wrong (1939) as Sandra Sand
- Room Service (1938) as Christine Marlowe
- Go Chase Yourself (1938) as Carol Meeley
- Having Wonderful Time (1938) as Miriam
- Annabel Takes a Tour (1938) as Annabel Allison
- The Affairs of Annabel (1938) as Annabel Allison
- Joy of Living (1938) as Salina Garret Pine
- Next Time I Marry (1938) as Nancy Crocker Fleming
- Stage Door (1937) as Judith
- Don't Tell the Wife (1937) as Annie Howell
- Swing It (1936) as Mary (uncredited)
- Dummy Ache (1936) as Actress
- Follow the Fleet (1936) as Kitty Collins
- Winterset (1936) as Girl (uncredited)
- The Farmer in the Dell (1936) as Gloria Wilson
- So and Sew (1936) as Sally Curtis
- Muss 'em Up (1936) as Departing Train Passenger (uncredited)
- That Girl from Paris (1936) as Claire Williams
- Chatterbox (1936) as Lillian Temple
- Bunker Bean (1936) as Rosie Kelly
- One Live Ghost (1936) as Maxine
- Top Hat (1935) as Flower Shop Clerk (uncredited)
- The Whole Town's Talking (1935) as Bank Employee (uncredited)
- The Three Musketeers (1935) as (uncredited)
- Roberta (1935) as Fashion Model (uncredited)
- I'll Love You Always (1935) as Lucille (uncredited)
- Old Man Rhythm (1935) as College Girl
- I Dream Too Much (1935) as Gwendolyn Dilley
- Hooray for Love (1935) as Chorine (uncredited)
- Carnival (1935) as Nurse (uncredited)
- Behind the Evidence (1935) as Secretary (uncredited)
- A Night at the Biltmore Bowl (1935) as Lucille Ball
- His Old Flame (1935)
- Foolish Hearts (1935) as Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
- Fugitive Lady (1934) as Beauty Operator (uncredited)
- The Affairs of Cellini (1934) as Lady-in-Waiting (uncredited)
- Broadway Bill (1934) as Blonde Telephone Operator (uncredited)
- Murder at the Vanities (1934) as Earl Carroll Girl (uncredited)
- Kid Millions (1934) as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
- Bottoms Up (1934) as Chorine (uncredited)
- Hold That Girl (1934) as Girl (uncredited)
- Three Little Pigskins (1934) as Daisy Simms
- Moulin Rouge (1934) as Show Girl (uncredited)
- Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back (1934) as Bridesmaid
- Men of the Night (1934) as Peggy (uncredited)
- Perfectly Mismated (1934)
- Jealousy (1934) as (uncredited)
- Nana (1934) as Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- The Bowery (1933) as Blonde (uncredited)
- Roman Scandals (1933) as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
- Blood Money (1933) as Davy's Girlfriend (uncredited)
- Broadway Thru a Keyhole (1933) as Chorine / Girl at the Beach
- The Time Element as Self
- The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special