Lucie Arnaz

Lucie Désirée Arnaz (born July 17, 1951) is an American actress and singer.[1] She is the daughter of actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Lucie Arnaz
Arnaz in 2013
Born
Lucie Désirée Arnaz

(1951-07-17) July 17, 1951
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1963–present
Spouses
Philip Vandervort Menegaux
​
​
(m. 1971; div. 1976)​
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1980)​
    Children3
    Parent(s)Desi Arnaz
    Lucille Ball
    RelativesDesi Arnaz Jr. (brother)
    Fred Ball (maternal uncle)
    Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II (paternal grandfather)
    Musical career
    Genres
    Instrument(s)
    • Vocals
    • percussion

    Early life

    Arnaz was born at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles, California,[2] the daughter of actors Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and is the sister of actor Desi Arnaz Jr.[3][4][5][6] She lived for a few years in New York City from the age of 10, and attended St. Vincent Ferrer School, along with her brother, and later attended the Roman Catholic Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles.[7]

    Career
    Arnaz, her mother Lucille Ball and her brother Desi Jr., in Here's Lucy, 1968

    Television

    Having had walk-on roles on her mother's television series The Lucy Show, Arnaz made her acting debut in a continuing role in the series Here's Lucy from 1968 to 1974. She played Kim Carter, the daughter of the eponymous Lucy—who was played by Arnaz's real-life mother, Lucille Ball.[8]

    Arnaz branched out into television roles independent of her family from the mid-1970s. In 1975, she played murder victim Elizabeth Short in an NBC telefilm of Who Is the Black Dahlia?,[9] [10] and she starred with Lyle Waggoner and Tommy Tune in Welcome to the "World", The Wonderful World of Disney special commemorating the grand opening of Space Mountain at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.[11] In 1978, she appeared in an episode of Fantasy Island[12] as a woman desperately trying to save her marriage. She has continued to make appearances in a number of popular television series over the years, including Murder, She Wrote, Marcus Welby, M.D., Sons and Daughters (CBS, 1991),[13] and Law & Order.

    Arnaz also had a short-lived series of her own, The Lucie Arnaz Show, on CBS in 1985. The reviewer for The New York Times described the show as "the always ingratiating Miss Arnaz as a psychologist who not only writes an advice column, but also takes calls from listeners on her own radio program."[14][15][16]

    Another eponymous series, this one a late-night-style talk show, aired for one season from 1995 to 1996. It was unsuccessful, but The Rosie O'Donnell Show would use the same format a year later to much greater success, prompting Arnaz's agent to pitch a revival that would not be picked up.[17]

    Arnaz won an Emmy Award in 1993 for Outstanding Informational Special for her documentary about her parents, Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie.[18][19][20][21]

    Theatre
    Arnaz in 1988

    Arnaz has had a lengthy career in musical theatre. In June 1978 she played the title role in Annie Get Your Gun at the Jones Beach Theatre on Long Island, New York.[22] This was the first production at Jones Beach Theatre after the death of longtime producer Guy Lombardo.[23] In 1981, she played the lead female role in Educating Rita at The Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts.[24][25]

    She made her Broadway debut in February 1979 in the musical They're Playing Our Song.[26] Arnaz won the Theatre World Award[27] [28] and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Sonia Walsk. In 1986, she won the Sarah Siddons Award for her tour with Tommy Tune in the international company of the musical My One and Only.[29][30]

    She has numerous other theater credits, both in the United States and abroad: Seesaw (first national company, 1974[31]), Whose Life Is It Anyway?, The Guardsman (Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey, January 1984[32]), The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True (Concert at Lincoln Center, 1995, televised[33][34]), Sonia Flew (Coconut Grove Playhouse, Florida, April 2006[35]), The Witches of Eastwick (London, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, June 2000[36][37]), Vanities (Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, 1976 as "Kathy"[38]), Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers (Broadway[39]), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Broadway, May 23, 2006, to September 3, 2006[39]), and Terence McNally's Master Class (Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, April to May 1999[40]).

    In 2010, Arnaz performed (along with Raúl Esparza and Valarie Pettiford) in and directed Babalu: A Celebration of the Music of Desi Arnaz and his Orchestra. A Miami, Florida performance was given in July 2010.[41]

    She toured in Pippin in 2014, playing the role of Berthe, the title character's grandmother.[42] She appeared on Broadway in Pippin, from October 9, 2014, to November 9, 2014.[43][44]

    Film

    Arnaz made feature-film appearances, including The Jazz Singer (1980) in which she co-starred with Neil Diamond and Laurence Olivier.[45] She earned a nomination for the 1981 Golden Globe Award, Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.[46] She also appeared in the 1982 comedy drama One More Try opposite her future husband, Lawrence Luckinbill.

    Other works
    • Arnaz was a Trustee on the Board of The American Theatre Wing for 15 years (1999–2014).
    • In October 2008, Arnaz and longtime family friend, Hollywood columnist and Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne participated in a tribute to Arnaz's mother, Lucille Ball, at the Paley Center For Media in New York City.[47] The program, "Lucie and Lucy: Lucie Arnaz Shares Treasures From The Family Video Collection", included a discussion between Osborne and Arnaz about Ball, and also focused on Ball's last long-running series, Here's Lucy (which was celebrating its 40th anniversary), as well as several of Ball's television specials and guest appearances during the 1970s, which Arnaz had recently donated to the Paley Center for Media.

    Preserving Lucille Ball's legacy
    • From about 2002 to 2007, Arnaz was the president of the board of directors of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York. She resigned over a dispute with the executive director over the future direction of the Center.[48][49]
    • Arnaz appeared live on stage in Jamestown at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on August 3, 2012, to promote the Lucille Ball Festival of New Comedy in which new comedians are invited to perform. She gave tribute to both her parents and expressed a desire to further expand the Festival of New Comedy and expand the Jamestown, New York, Lucy Fest. Comedians who performed at the 2012 Festival of New Comedy included Billy Gardell, Paula Poundstone and Tammy Pescatelli.[50][51][52] She gave the history behind the Lucy-Desi Museum and Lucy-Desi Playhouse, and the 2011 birthday centenary for Lucille Ball (which was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest number of people dressed like Lucille Ball in one place at one time).
    • At that time, Arnaz announced intent to start using the recently renovated Jamestown Train Station to further the mission and vision of the Lucille Ball Festival of New Comedy. Lucie Arnaz praised and appeared on stage with the new executive director of the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center and applauded her work and dedication to the festival. This work culminated in the opening of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown on August 1, 2018.[53]
    • In 2021, Arnaz, along with her brother, served as an executive producer of the biopic Being the Ricardos, a film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin focusing on her parents' professional and personal relationship during the time of I Love Lucy.[54]

    Personal life

    Arnaz was married to Philip Vandervort Menegaux from July 17, 1971, to April 1976. On June 22, 1980, she married actor-writer Laurence Luckinbill.[3][55][56] Luckinbill and Arnaz live in Palm Springs, California.[57]

    Arnaz and Luckinbill have three children: Simon, Joseph and Katharine Luckinbill.[58] Luckinbill also has two sons from his previous marriage: Nicholas and Benjamin Luckinbill.

    Arnaz attended an all-girls Catholic high school, mainly because of its drama program.[58] She is a member of Unity.[59]

    Stage

    Filmography

    Television

    Source: Archive of American Television:[63]

    References
    1. "Lucie Arnaz Broadway" playbillvault.com, accessed December 5, 2015
    2. Monush, Barry (June 1, 2011). Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America's Favorite Redhead. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-55783-940-4.
    3. "Lucie Arnaz Biography (1951–)" filmreference.com. Retrieved on November 12, 2011
    4. "Lucille Ball Biography, Encyclopedia of Television" Archived January 26, 2017, at the Wayback Machine museum.tv, accessed December 8, 2015
    5. Wire Services. "Southland : Family Bids Lucy a Private Farewell" Los Angeles Times, May 1, 1989
    6. Heckman, Don. "Arnaz the actress – in a show that sings" Los Angeles Times, November 11, 2004
    7. Zeigler, Todd. "Lucie Arnaz Brings Musical Legacy To Silks In The Bluegrass" The Voice-Tribune, April 17, 2014
    8. "Lucie Arnaz Overview" tcm.com, accessed December 5, 2015
    9. "'Who Is the Black Dahlia?' Overview" tcm.com, accessed December 3, 2015
    10. "'Who Is the Black Dahlia?' Overview" The New York Times, December 9, 2015
    11. scottnj1966 (March 6, 2014). "Space Mountain Grand Opening Celebration 1975 "Welcome to the World"" – via YouTube.
    12. "'Fantasy Island: Anniversary; Reunion' (TV)" paleycenter.org, accessed December 4, 2015
    13. Zurawik, David. "'Sons and Daughters' goes from bad to worse" Baltimore Sun, January 4, 1991
    14. O'Connor, John J. "2 Sitcoms: 'Lucie Arnaz' And 'Hail to the Chief'", The New York Times, April 9, 1985, p. C16, ISSN 0362-4331
    15. Margulies, Lee. "Lucie Throws Her Series Into The Ratings Ring" Los Angeles Times, April 17, 1985
    16. Margulies, Lee. "'Jeffersons' Out Of Cbs Lineup" Los Angeles Times, May 8, 1985
    17. "Oh, Mama, another talker looms in Vicki's future". Daily News. July 5, 1996. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
    18. "'Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie' Overview" tcm.com, accessed December 3, 2015
    19. Dunne, Susan. "Lucie Arnaz To Present 'Lucy And Desi: A Home Movie'" Hartford Courant, May 22, 2013
    20. King, Susan. "Retro : Lucy's Candid Camera : Documentary Shows Revealing Footage of Ball and Arnaz, Family and Friends" Los Angeles Times, February 14, 1993
    21. Marin, Rick (February 11, 1993). "Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie". Variety.com. Variety.
    22. Shepard, Richard F. "Annie Get Your Gun Presented at Jones Beach Theater" The New York Times, July 3, 1978
    23. "Jones Beach Theatre History" limusichalloffame.org, accessed December 3, 2015
    24. Klein, Alvin. "Theater. A Rip-Roaring 'Annie Get Your Gun'" The New York Times, May 31, 1987
    25. "Summer Theater Circuit" The New York Times, August 21, 1981
    26. ​They're Playing Our Song​ at the Internet Broadway Database
    27. Simon, Neil. Introduction" They're Playing Our Song, Samuel French, Inc., 1980, ISBN 0573681058, p. 3
    28. "'They're Playing Our Song' Broadway" Playbill (vault), accessed December 3, 2015
    29. No author. "'My One And Only' Taps Into Town With Tommy Tune, Lucie Arnaz". Chicago Tribune. November 17, 1985
    30. "Awardees" Archived December 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine sarahsiddonssociety.org, accessed December 3, 2015
    31. Altman, China. "Lucie Arnaz, Doing It Her Way" People, Vol. 1 No. 12, May 20, 1974
    32. Emblen, Frank. "New Jersey Guide. Lucie and Laurence" The New York Times, January 8, 1984
    33. "'The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True' Credits" allmusic.com, accessed December 3, 2015
    34. Robinson, Mark. "10 Wickedly Wonderful Musicals Inspired By 'The Wizard of Oz'" playbill.com, October 30, 2015
    35. Jones, Kenneth. "Show Goes On: Coconut Grove's 'Sonia Flew', With Arnaz, Starts April 19" playbill.com, April 17, 2006
    36. Simonson, Robert and Paddock, Terri "Report: Arnaz Joins Crawford in West End 'Witches of Eastwick'" playbill.com, January 19, 2000
    37. Wolf, Matt. "Review: 'The Witches of Eastwick'" Variety, July 20, 2000
    38. Kataora, Mike. "'Vanities' To Premiere In PS" Desert Sun, December 3, 1976
    39. "Lucie Arnaz Broadway" ibdb.com, accessed December 3, 2015,)
    40. Ehren, Christine. "Lucie Arnaz to Give 'Master Class' at NH's Seacoast Rep April 22 – May 23" playbill.com, March 19, 1999
    41. "Review-Desi Arnaz tribute 'Babalu' sizzles at the Arsht". Miami Herald. Associated Press. July 9, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
    42. Gioia, Michael. "Lucie Arnaz Will Swing from Pippin's Trapeze on Tour" playbill.com, July 28, 2014
    43. Gioia, Michael. "Lucie Arnaz Swings Into Broadway's 'Pippin' Tonight" Archived December 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, October 9, 2014
    44. "'Pippin' Cast Replacements" Archived December 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine playbillvault.com, accessed December 3, 2015
    45. The Jazz Singer (1980) at AllMovie
    46. "Winners and Nominees : Lucie Arnaz". GoldenGlobes.com. Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
    47. The Paley Center announcement: Tuesday, October 28; 6:30 pm; Panelist: Lucie Arnaz; Moderator: Robert Osborne, Host, Turner Classic Movies.)"2008 Annual Report. Lucie & Lucy: Lucie Arnaz Shares Treasures From the Family Video Collection. p. 17" paleycenter.org, accessed December 4, 2015
    48. "Jamestown Update: Morris Resigns". Lucyfan.com. January 4, 2002. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
    49. O'Shei, Tim. "New leadership at Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center looks to turn it into National Comedy Center" Buffalo News, March 8, 2014
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    53. Goodman, Stephanie (August 3, 2018). "Nation Comedy Center Opens". New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
    54. "Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, says 'Being the Ricardos' is 'freakin' amazing'".
    55. Lucie Arnaz at AllMovie
    56. "Larry Luckinbill and Lucie Arnaz Begin Their Own Chapter Two as Mr. and Mrs." People, July 7, 1980
    57. Fessier, Bruce. "Lucie Arnaz and Laurence Luckinbill find family in Palm Springs" Desert Sun, February 23, 2015
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