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Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz

Acting1917Santiago, Cuba

Biography

Desi Arnaz (March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986) was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer.

While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy, starring with then-wife Lucille Ball.

Acting History

2025
A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music
as Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)
2022
Lucy and Desi
as Self (archive footage)
2020
My Darling Vivian
as Self (archive footage)
2011
Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored
as Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)
2005
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards
as Manuelito (segment "Too Many Girls") (archive footage)
2004
Judy Garland: By Myself
as Self (archive footage)
2000
Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy
as Self (archive footage)
1999
Television: The First Fifty Years
as Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)
1983
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1982
The Escape Artist
as Mayor Leon Quiñones
1978
1976
Joys
as Self
Salsa
as Self (archive footage)
The Mike Douglas Show
TVas Self1 eps
Donny & Marie
TVas Self1 eps
Saturday Night Live
TVas Self - Host & Musical Guest1 eps
1974
Ironside
TVas Dr. Juan Domingo1 eps
1970
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
TVas Self1 eps
The Virginian
TVas El Jefe1 eps
1968
Land's End
TVas Guest Waiting to Cash Check1 eps
Land's End
TVDirector1 eps
Land's End
TVProducer1 eps
Land's End
TVWriter1 eps
Land's End
TVCreator
1967
The Mothers-in-Law
TVas Raphael Delgado4 eps
The Mothers-in-Law
TVDirector24 eps
The Mothers-in-Law
TVExecutive Producer56 eps
1966
The Lucy Show
TVDirector1 eps
The Carol Channing Show
TVProducer1 eps
The Carol Channing Show
TVDirector1 eps
1965
Star Trek: The Cage
Executive Producer
1963
Surf Scene
Executive Producer
1962
The Lucy Show
TVProducer30 eps
1961
The Red Skelton Show
TVas Self1 eps
Dragon by the Tail
Executive Producer
Alcatraz Express
Executive Producer
1960
1959
NBC Sunday Showcase
TVas Ricky Ricardo1 eps
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TVDirector3 eps
NBC Sunday Showcase
TVDirector1 eps
1958
The Fountain of Youth
Executive Producer
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
TVExecutive In Charge Of Production
The Texan
TVProducer
The Ann Sothern Show
TVProducer93 eps
Colgate Theatre
TVExecutive Producer8 eps
1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TVas Ricky Ricardo13 eps
The Walter Winchell File
TVProducer38 eps
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TVExecutive Producer13 eps
Cavalcade of America
TVExecutive Producer1 eps
U.S. Marshall
TVProducer's Assistant1 eps
1956
Forever, Darling
as Lorenzo Xavier 'Larry' Vega
December Bride
TVas Self1 eps
The Bob Hope Show
TVas Self2 eps
What's My Line?
TVas Self - Panelist1 eps
MGM Parade
TVas Self1 eps
1953
I Love Lucy: The Movie
as Ricky Ricardo
1952
The Emmy Awards
TVas Self2 eps
1951
I Love Lucy
TVas Ricky Ricardo180 eps
I Love Lucy
TVProducer180 eps
1950
The Ed Wynn Show
TVas Self1 eps
1949
Holiday in Havana
as Carlos Estrada
1943
Bataan
as Felix Ramirez
1942
Four Jacks and a Jill
as Steve Sarto / King Stephan VIII of Aregal
1940
Too Many Girls
as Manuelito Lynch

Social Media

Personal Info

Known For
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
3/2/1917
Day of Death
12/2/1986
Place of Birth
Santiago, Cuba