Desi Arnaz
A Cuban-American showman who, with his wife Lucille Ball, invented the TV rerun and built a comedy empire from scratch.
1917–1986 (age 69)·Cuban-American musician, actor, producer and television studio head·Birthday: March 2·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Born into Cuban aristocracy, Desi Arnaz lost his family's fortune in the revolution and arrived in Miami with nothing. He turned his charm and musical talent into a stateside career as a bandleader, catching the eye of a rising comedienne named Lucille Ball. Their real-life marriage became the engine for 'I Love Lucy,' but Desi's genius was behind the camera. He insisted on filming the show with three cameras before a live audience, a technical innovation that created a timeless visual quality. More shrewdly, he and Ball wrested ownership of their episodes from CBS, pioneering the concept of syndication and building Desilu Productions into a television powerhouse. Though his personal life with Ball unraveled, his business acumen forever changed how television was made and sold.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Desi was born in 1917, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Desi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1917
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Desi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1917Born
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Started school
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1930Became a teenager
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Could drive
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1935Could vote
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Turned 21
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1947Turned 30
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 40
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 50
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 60
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1986Died at 69
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
Key Achievements
- Co-created and co-starred in the groundbreaking television sitcom 'I Love Lucy,' defining the genre for decades.
- Pioneered the three-camera film setup before a live studio audience, creating the classic look of sitcoms.
- With Lucille Ball, formed Desilu Productions, which owned the 'I Love Lucy' episodes and invented the television syndication model.
- As head of Desilu, oversaw production of major TV hits like 'The Untouchables' and 'Star Trek.'
Did You Know?
His full name was Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III.
He was the son of the mayor of Santiago de Cuba and his family was forced into exile.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II before his entertainment career took off.
He initially turned down the role of Ricky Ricardo, fearing audiences wouldn't accept a Cuban husband.
“I am not funny. What I am is brave.”
