Thirty-seven years ago today, Hollywood mourned the passing of Lucille Ball, a trailblazing figure whose impact on television and comedy remains unmatched decades later.
The New York native cemented her place in the entertainment industry with hit shows, award-winning performances and historic milestones, including becoming the first woman to run a major television studio.
However, behind her massive success lay a slow, steady journey that ultimately shaped her into one of Hollywood’s most enduring global icons.
Born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, Ball knew that she wanted to become an actress even at an early age.
In her early teens, she enrolled in the John Murray Anderson School for the Dramatic Arts in New York City but was told that she "had no talent" and that her shyness would hold her back from succeeding.
That didn't stop her from chasing her dream. Instead of giving up, she pivoted and tried her luck in modelling.
In the early 1930s, she started her career as a Manhattan department-store model and went on to work as a model for high-fashion clothing for Hattie Carnegie.
From modelling, she transitioned to singing and dancing in films and musicals, also working as a chorus girl, a movie extra and later as a Goldwyn Girl for Eddie Cantor’s Roman Scandals, which began her film career.
It was in the 1940s when she discovered a new path: comedy.
Lucille Ball MGM Studio portrait 1953.Screen Archives/Getty Images
After moving to MGM and appearing in Du Barry Was a Lady and Ziegfeld Follies as a supporting actress, she had the opportunity to work alongside the legendary Three Stooges and Buster Keaton, who helped her refine the physical comedy skills that would later define her acting career.
Interestingly, it was her radio sitcomMy Favorite Husband that sparked the idea, serving as the foundation for the now-iconic show I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy Phenomenon
On October 15, 1951, I Love Lucy made its TV debut with Ball starring alongside her real-life husband Desi Arnaz, a move widely seen as an effort to save her marriage.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in bed in pilot episode of television series 'I Love Lucy', 1951.CBS/Getty Images
Lo and behold, the show became a cultural phenomenon with episodes consistently ranking among the top shows on television and garnering millions of viewers each week.
Moreover, the episode where Ball’s character gave birth to little Ricky was watched by 44 million viewers. At that time, it surpassed the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which had only 29 million viewers.
The actress’ charm and exceptional slapstick performance earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards. The first was in 1953 for Best Comedienne for her role as Lucy Ricardo, followed by the Best Actress award in 1956.
I Love Lucy also secured Best Situation Comedy in 1953 and 1954, with Ball accepting them as the lead star and co-creator of the series.
Lucille Ball’s Death
On April 26, 1989, the legendary comedian and actress passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 77.
Ball died from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. In the days leading up to her passing, she had also suffered a heart attack at her Beverly Hills home.
Related: Iconic '50s Star, Who Became the Queen of Sitcom, Has Interesting Real-Life Love Story
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