Arnaz was born in Santiago, Cuba, and began his career as a musician and bandleader. He moved to the United States in 1933, and in 1940, he married Ball. The two starred in a series of musical films together, including Too Many Girls (1940), That Night in Rio (1941), and Babes on Broadway (1941).
In 1951, Arnaz and Ball created the television sitcom I Love Lucy. The show was a huge success, and it made Arnaz and Ball two of the most popular stars in the world. I Love Lucy ran for six seasons, and it was followed by a spin-off series, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, which ran for three seasons.
After the end of The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Arnaz continued to produce television shows and films. He also served as the president of Desilu Productions, which he had founded in 1950. Desilu Productions produced a number of successful television series, including The Untouchables, Star Trek, and Mission: Impossible.
Arnaz died of lung cancer in 1986 at the age of 69. He is considered one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of television.
Here are some additional facts about Desi Arnaz:
- He was the first Hispanic actor to star in a major American television series.
- He was the first Latino to win an Emmy Award.
- He was the founder and president of Desilu Productions, one of the most successful independent television production companies in Hollywood history.
- He was married to Lucille Ball for 20 years, and they had two children together.
- He died of lung cancer in 1986 at the age of 69.