Early Life and Education of Lucille Ball: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Lucille Ball. A timeline of key moments.

Lucille Ball was a highly influential American actress, comedian, producer, and studio executive, recognized by Time as one of the most influential women of the 20th century. She is best known for her groundbreaking sitcom "I Love Lucy", which she both starred in and produced. Ball received numerous accolades throughout her career, including five Primetime Emmy Awards, the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and received a Kennedy Center Honor, solidifying her status as a comedic icon.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

August 6, 1911: Lucille Ball's Birth

On August 6, 1911, Lucille Désirée Ball was born. She would become an American actress, comedian, producer, and studio executive.

Others born on this day/year

February 28, 1915: Death of Lucille Ball's Father

On February 28, 1915, Lucille Ball's father died of typhoid fever at the age of 27 when Lucille was only three years old.

1926: Enrollment in Drama School

In 1926, Lucille Ball enrolled in the John Murray Anderson School for the Dramatic Arts in New York City.

1927: Family Move to Jamestown Apartment

In 1927, Lucille Ball's family was forced to move to a small apartment in Jamestown after their house and furnishings were sold to settle a legal judgment.

1936: Registered to vote as Communist

In 1936, Lucille Ball registered to vote and listed her party affiliation as Communist, as did her brother and mother, reflecting a political alignment at that time.

1936: Supports Communist Party candidate

In 1936, Lucille Ball sponsored the Communist Party's candidate for the California State Assembly and was appointed to the state's Central Committee, marking her involvement in political activities.

1936: Delegate to the State Central Committee of the Communist Party of California

In 1936, Lucille Ball stated that if she had been appointed as a delegate to the State Central Committee of the Communist Party of California it was done without her knowledge or consent.

1936: Registered to vote

In 1936, Lucille Ball stated that she had registered to vote as a Communist or intended to vote the Communist Party ticket at her socialist grandfather's insistence.

1937: Address identified as location for Communist class

In 1937, Hollywood writer Rena Vale testified that she attended a Communist class at an address identified as Lucille Ball's home, which later became part of a HUAC investigation.

July 22, 1940: Rena Vale Testimony

On July 22, 1940, Hollywood writer Rena Vale gave testimony before the United States House of Representatives' Special House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).

November 30, 1940: Elopes with Desi Arnaz

On November 30, 1940, Lucille Ball eloped with Cuban-born bandleader Desi Arnaz, two months after they met while filming "Too Many Girls", marking the beginning of their marriage.

1942: Arnaz Drafted into the Army

In 1942, Desi Arnaz was drafted into the Army, but classified for limited service due to a knee injury. He stayed in Los Angeles and performed USO shows.

1944: Featured in Fund Raising for Roosevelt

In 1944, Lucille Ball prominently featured in a Pathé News newsreel titled "Fund Raising for Roosevelt", supporting President Franklin D. Roosevelt's campaign for the March of Dimes.

July 17, 1951: Birth of Daughter Lucie Désirée Arnaz

On July 17, 1951, Lucille Ball gave birth to her daughter, Lucie Désirée Arnaz, marking a significant personal event.

1951: Birth of Lucie Arnaz

In 1951, Lucille Ball gave birth to her first child, Lucie Arnaz.

1952: Voted for Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the 1952 United States presidential election, Lucille Ball stated that she voted for Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, contrasting with her earlier registration as a Communist.

January 19, 1953: Birth of Desi Arnaz Jr. and Airing of I Love Lucy episode

On January 19, 1953, Lucille Ball delivered her second child, Desi Arnaz Jr., while the I Love Lucy episode featuring her character's pregnancy aired to 44 million viewers. The birth made the cover of TV Guide.

September 4, 1953: Testifies before HUAC investigator

On September 4, 1953, Lucille Ball voluntarily met with HUAC investigator William A. Wheeler, providing sealed testimony about her past registration as a Communist and her intentions in 1936.

1953: Birth of Desi Arnaz Jr.

In 1953, Lucille Ball gave birth to her second child, Desi Arnaz Jr.

March 3, 1960: Files for Divorce from Desi Arnaz

On March 3, 1960, Lucille Ball filed for divorce from Desi Arnaz, claiming their married life was "a nightmare," marking the end of their high-profile marriage.

May 4, 1960: Divorce Finalized

On May 4, 1960, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's divorce was finalized, ending their marriage, though they remained friends until his death.

November 19, 1961: Marries Gary Morton

On November 19, 1961, Lucille Ball married Gary Morton, a Borscht Belt comic, marking the beginning of her second marriage.

1961: Marriage to Gary Morton

In 1961, Lucille Ball married Gary Morton, marking the start of her second marriage, which she reflected on positively in later years.

1979: Assistant Professor at California State University

In 1979, Lucille Ball became an assistant professor at California State University, Northridge, showcasing her interest in education alongside her acting career.

1980: Lucille Ball Expresses Support for Gay Rights

In a 1980 interview with People, Lucille Ball stated her support for gay rights, acknowledging the talent of homosexual individuals and questioning criticism towards them.

1983: Comments on marriage to Gary Morton

In 1983, Lucille Ball wrote to a friend expressing her happiness with her marriage to Gary Morton, remarking on how unexpected and fulfilling it was after her previous marriage.

1986: Death of Desi Arnaz

In 1986, Desi Arnaz died, marking the end of Lucille Ball's former husband's life; however, they remained friends and often spoke fondly of each other.

May 1988: Hospitalized after heart attack

In May 1988, Lucille Ball was hospitalized after suffering a mild heart attack, marking a health scare in her later years.

April 18, 1989: Admitted to Hospital

On April 18, 1989, Lucille Ball was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after experiencing chest pains and diagnosed with a dissecting aortic aneurysm, leading to surgery.

1989: Final Public Appearance at the Academy Awards

In 1989, just a month before her death, Lucille Ball made her final public appearance at the Academy Awards telecast, receiving a standing ovation alongside Bob Hope, celebrating her lasting impact on entertainment.

2007: Death of Lucille Ball's brother Fred Ball

In 2007, Lucille Ball's brother Fred Ball passed away.

August 6, 2011: Google Doodle and Look-Alike Gathering

On August 6, 2011, Google's homepage displayed an interactive doodle of six classic moments from I Love Lucy to commemorate what would have been Lucille Ball's 100th birthday. Simultaneously, 915 Lucille Ball look-alikes gathered in Jamestown, setting a new world record.

August 1, 2016: Announcement of New Statue for Lucille Ball

On August 1, 2016, it was announced that a new statue of Lucille Ball would replace the existing one in Celoron, New York, on August 6 due to resident complaints. The original statue, nicknamed "Scary Lucy", became a tourist attraction after media attention.