INTRODUCTION

HER STORY

QUOTES

In the late 1920s, she became seriously ill. Some accounts list the ailment as severe fatigue and malnutrition; another rendition had her the victim of an auto accident; yet another suggested the possibility that she may have had an abortion that went bad or even given birth to a child.

A television network employee who worked with the legend described her thus, "If she doesn't know you, she's cold as ice. Naturally, you feel you know her, and you love her, as a result of the Lucy shows. But it's a shock to realize she's not the childlike Lucy character she plays. She's diamond-hard, extremely bright, and extremely cautious with people."

By the time of The Lucy Show, Ball was increasingly dictatorial on the studio set. Sometimes she was brutal to guest stars, even to such legendary figures as Joan Crawford, who appeared on the teleseries in February 1968. Joan was rehearsing a Charleston number for the episode. A displeased Ball stalked over to Crawford and growled, "You got into the movies as a Charleston dancer and you can't dance. I can't believe it. We'll try this one more time and if it doesn't work, it's out!" She then ordered the Oscar winner, "Come on, let's do it again." Still dissatisfied, Lucy Snarled, "This number is out!" A shattered Crawford retreated to her dressing room, where she collapsed on the floor in tears..

Appeared on the cover of TV Guide a record 34 times, She shared the cover of the very first issue of TV Guide with her newborn, Desiderio Alberto Arnaz VI.  A pristine copy of this rare April 3, 1953 issue can cost upward of $ 2,000.

She was superstitious about birds and wouldn't buy anything with a print of a bird, nor would she stay in a hotel room with bird pictures or bird wallpaper.

In 1951-1952 "I Love Lucy" changed the Monday-night habits of America. Between 9:00 and 9:30 pm, taxis disappeared from the streets of New York. Telephone calls across the nation dropped sharply during that half hour, as well as the water flush rate, as whole families sat glued to their seats.

In the early 30's she turned to modeling but this career was short-lived as she got severely ill and spent nearly two years recuperating.

In 1942 luck was on her side when she was moved to the lofty MGM Studios where MGM transformed her into a glamorous red-head  and showcased her in "Du Barry was a Lady."

In December 1991 a full-size statue of Lucille was unveiled at the Television Academy's Hall of Fame Court in North Hollywood.

In 2001 the United States Postal Service issued a solo Lucille Ball Stamp as part of its "Legends of Hollywood Series."

She signed her first promotional agreement with Max Factor in 1935, and again in 1942. Of all the stars, she had the longest association with the Factor company.

Had it stipulated in her "I Love Lucy" contract that Vivian Vance, her co-star who played Ethel Mertz, be 20 pounds heavier than her at all times so she would look good.

She entered a dramatic school in New York, but while her classmate Bette Davis received all the raves, she was sent home.

Henry Fonda was deeply in love with her. The two were "very close" during the filming of "Yours, Mine and Ours (1968)".