What fiery redhead do we all know and love?
100 years ago today, Lucille Desirée Ball was born in Jamestown, New York. Nominated 13 times for an Emmy – and snagging 4 wins – Lucy offered up her antics “live” in our living rooms in the 50s and 60s, and for decades after, in syndication.
Lucille Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) moved from fashion model to Broadway performer to B-movie Queen in the 1930s and 40s. Some say her star began to rise in 1948 with the CBS radio program, My Favorite Husband.
But her legacy is surely “I Love Lucy,” and it’s worth noting that the pilot did not clinch the deal with CBS initially. It took going on the road with husband Desi to prove their appeal to an American audience – before the show was added to the lineup. Apparently, the powers that be were concerned with the marketability of an American housewife with a Cuban hubby.
The rest, as they say, is history. And might I add that “I Love Lucy” hit the airways in 1951 – in Lucille Ball’s 40th year?
Why I Love Lucy More… Now
I remember watching Lucy as a child, enjoying some of the episodes enormously. Scenes of her stomping grapes with Ethel or shenanigans on the chocolate production line?
Engraved in my memory. Aren’t they etched into yours?
Yet it’s in looking back on her life that I appreciate her accomplishments more – as a woman. In her early (career) years, while there were some beautiful comediennes (Carol Lombard comes to mind), they were relatively few. Women were beautiful, women were character actors (actresses), or they were funny. And if they were a mix?
At the time, there was no Sandra Bullock (the first example that comes to mind); no actresses with audience appeal as funny and attractive women.
Yes, there was Rosalind Russell, and possibly Eve Arden, but both were presented as unfeminine in their strength and sharp wit. Yes, there was Katherine Hepburn who benefited from versatile material (drama and screwball comedy).
But Lucy? In my opinion, she didn’t quite fit. So she created her own path – a zany one, with a less than perfect persona.
Is this a lesson we would be wise to remember? Not only for the value of a good belly laugh, but our cultural propensity for taking ourselves too seriously – putting on a perfect face as perfect women in perfect marriages and perfect lives?
Marital History, Older Mother
Then there is Hollywood’s history of marriage and divorce, and more marriage and divorce… As for Lucy’s marital exploits, she was married to Cuban band leader Desi Arnaz for 20 years, and her second marriage to Gary Morton lasted 17 years, until her death in 1989.
Two long-term marriages in Hollywood? Not so bad!
As for parenthood, Lucy is an example of an “older” mother before it was chic, giving birth to her first child (Lucie) just shy of age 40, and her second (Desi Jr.) a year and a half later.
Might we also remember that her career was thriving in her 40s and 50s – no small feat at the time, and still the case in many instances, a half century later?
Iconic Figures
So which figures will hold iconic status for our children? Will they be personalities famous for being famous? Will they be politicians known for their leadership or lack thereof? Will they be gifted performers in music or on stage and screen?
Or will the recollections of the next generation be littered with a trail of celebrity scandals – Arnold and Maria, Sandra and Jesse, Jennifer Lopez and however many partners she may rack up – rather than a legacy of fine films or classic comedic moments?
- What performers do you love – and why?
- Is it their work, the way they live their lives, or both?
- Are our only iconic figures in entertainment, rather than other fields?
For more on Lucy, check her out on Wikipedia or learn more about the Google doodle and Lucy’s life here. And if you Google today, you’re treated to a video clip from her I Love Lucy series.
© D A Wolf
I am a huge fan of Sandra, both on-screen and off. Long before Jesse and his misgivings, she had/has class. There have always been scandals in Hollywood and otherwise. Eddie Fisher?
Just a mere mention of Lucille Ball makes me giggle. Perhaps she did cut her own path, as many mothers do out of necessity.
One of my youngest daughters idols is the infamous Audrey Hepburn, another class act. So perhaps we radiate to those we hope to be while reading interesting tidbits of those whom we pity (JLo).
Not only did I love Lucy, but my love of Latin music started while watching Desi’s Cuban band.
Another favorite of mine is Rita Wilson. Her piece in Sleepless in Seattle is one I can recite by heart. Take a look at this article- http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/jillian-michaels-interviews-rita-wilson-on-her-career-and-family.aspx
I’m a huge fan of the Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks years of pairing in movies. As a celebrity with a heart, I’d have to say Ashley Judd. I’m going to finalize my list with Jamie Oliver, who is trying to wake up our sensibilities to take care of our most precious resource – our children!
@PJ – Desi’s band! Yes!
@NAS – Meg and Tom were pretty adorable together (I know, I know – chick flick land…)
@Tina – Great picks!
Actually, I was referring to his RL wife, Rita Wilson, who plays his sister I believe in the movie. She is describing ‘An affair to remember’. And the men are teasing her. 🙂 But I am a sucker for the chick flick’s.
The actresses that manage to combine their acting lives, their lives providing entertainment for the rest of us, with lives as “real” people that I will remember. Meryl Streep, for instance. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. For all of her issues with relationships, Jennifer Lopez changed my mind about her on American Idol this year. There, she seemed genuine. Maybe she’s finally found her self-confidence and will make better choices in the future.
It is indeed wonderful to see talents that manage to beat the odds when it comes to relationships – as you and @notasoccermom both point out, Carol. Tom-Rita, Paul-Joanne. (It’s a shame we haven’t seen Rita Wilson in more films.)
I don’t have much loyalty/fanfare for a particular actor or musician these days. I remember loving Carol Burnett in The Carol Burnett Show days. I looked forward to it and would watch it with my family.
Interestingly, Lucille Ball mentored Carol Burnett.
Lucy was definitely a trail blazer and paved the way for women to break out of the stereotypical Hollywood roles. Today, I love Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep and go out of my way to see their movies. Sadly I don’t see anyone of Lucy, Sandra or Meryl’s quality on the horizon in the up and coming generation of actresses.
I know what you mean, Lisa. I wonder who’s next…
I love Lucy. I’ve loved her since I was a child. And I’ve probably watched every episode at least a dozen times. There was something about this particular ensemble cast that made it so entertaining and interesting. In my opinion, no actress comes close to the appeal of Lucille Ball.
Thanks for this post. I really appreciate you paying tribute to Lucy.
I met Lucy once. She had incredible force. It felt like she was from some other planet, and could re-arrange you by lifting her little finger.