Desi Arnaz

Who Was Desi Arnaz?

Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-American actor, musician, and television producer best known for co-creating and starring in the iconic television show I Love Lucy. Born in Cuba, Arnaz fled to the United States with his family in 1933 following a political revolution. His early career in music and acting eventually led him to a role in the 1939 Broadway musical Too Many Girls, where he met his future wife, Lucille Ball. Together, they created one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, I Love Lucy, which ran successfully for six years.

Early Life

Desiderio Alberto Arnaz III was born on March 2, 1917, in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. His family was affluent, but their fortunes changed in 1933 when a revolution forced them to flee to Miami, Florida. In the United States, Arnaz took on various jobs to help support his family. His first break in music came when he joined the Siboney Septet as a guitarist.

Music Career

Arnaz’s musical talent quickly gained recognition, and after a brief stint working with Xavier Cugat in New York, he returned to Miami, where he introduced American audiences to the Conga Line. This was a major success both locally and nationally, leading Arnaz to form his own band and return to New York.

In 1939, Arnaz was offered a role in the Broadway musical Too Many Girls, and he reprised the role in the Hollywood film adaptation. It was on this set that he met actress Lucille Ball, and the two married in 1940.

After appearing in several more films, Arnaz’s career was interrupted by World War II when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. During his two years of service, Arnaz focused on entertaining the troops. Following his discharge, he formed a new orchestra, recording several hits and serving as the orchestra leader for Bob Hope’s radio show between 1946 and 1947.

‘I Love Lucy’ and Career Highlights

In 1949, Desi Arnaz focused his efforts on creating what would become one of the most iconic television series in history, I Love Lucy. The show aired from 1951 to 1957, running for six successful years and achieving unprecedented success as the highest-rated program of its time. Arnaz and his wife, Lucille Ball, had a clear vision for the show from the outset. They insisted that I Love Lucy be filmed using high-quality film instead of the less expensive kinescope, a decision that set a new standard for television production. Additionally, Arnaz and Ball made the strategic decision to retain full ownership of the show through their own company, Desilu Productions.

I Love Lucy broke new ground by addressing personal and, at times, taboo topics, including marriage and pregnancy—subjects not often portrayed on television at the time. The show mirrored elements of Arnaz and Ball’s real-life marriage, even featuring the birth of their son in a storyline that coincided with Ball giving birth to their child in reality. The authentic chemistry between the couple, both on-screen and off-screen, contributed significantly to the show’s widespread appeal. I Love Lucy was the No. 1 television program for four of its six seasons and remains a cultural touchstone to this day.

Personal Life and Later Years

Arnaz and Ball’s marriage ended in 1960. Three years later, in 1963, Arnaz sold his shares of Desilu Productions to Ball, who continued to run the company. Although he stepped back from acting, Arnaz remained involved in television, notably serving as a producer for shows like The Mothers-In-Law in the late 1960s. He spent his later years in Del Mar, California, with his second wife, Edith. Desi Arnaz passed away in 1986 at the age of 69, after a battle with cancer.