Lucille Ball had a difficult childhood, as her father died when she was young and her mother remarried a man she did not like. She struggled as a performer early on but became determined to succeed. She worked as a model and Chesterfield cigarette girl, which led to minor roles in films. Ball met her husband Desi Arnaz while working in films and they created the hugely successful television sitcom I Love Lucy to save their relationship. I Love Lucy premiered in 1951 and became the most-watched show in America, establishing Ball as a legendary comedic actress and pioneering television star.

1. What I Learned about Lucille Ball

2. Age 2

3. The Beginning: A Rough Start Lucille Ball was born on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, NY. father, Henry Ball died when she was only four years old. At age eight, her mother Dede Ball married Ed Peterson He was a man that was “unlikeable and remote.” (Kanfer 18) Ball was moved around a lot Was at one point sent to live with Peterson’s parents who were awful She claims “I don’t do [time and affection] very well because I haven’t gotten much of either.”

4. Ball as a Showgirl

6. They saw that she couldn’t sing or dance

7. This made Ball want to prove them wrong

8. She decided to become a showgirl

10. Returning to New York Lucille Ball landed a modeling job Went by the name of Diane Belmont. She modeled at Hannie Carnegie’s famous dress shop and Jacksons Got the break she needed when discovered on the street Became the new Chesterfield Cigarette Girl, which helped her earn national exposure.

11. Lucille Ball as Goldwyn Girl

12. B-Graded and Going Red Ball became a Goldwyn Girl Starred in many, many B-grade comedies where she had no speaking roles, sometimes even no screen credits Favorable press, new red hair, and marriage to Cuban bandleader DesiArnez set her up for success

13. Ball on I Love Lucy

14. I Love Lucy Ball and Arnaz’s relationship was on the rocks so in order to save it they created a TV pilot. They proved the show’s potential, founded Desilu Productions, and premiered I Love Lucy on October 15, 1951. Within 6 months the show was number one It ran six seasons, evolved into hour-long episodes, and won over twenty awards including five Emmys. I Love Lucy was the first show in television history to claim viewing in more than ten million homes.

15. Lucille Ball’s Legacy

16. Lucille Ball’s Legacy By the time Lucille Ball passed on, the majority of the population had grown up with Lucy in their homes “to them she was a member of the family and the grief was personal.” (Kanfer 208) TV shows dedicated programs to her, and newspapers gave her death front-page headlines. Ball did what she needed to fulfill her dreams of being on stage, making people laugh.