Desi Arnaz

1917-03-02 – 1986-12-02 (age 69) Santiago, Cuba

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Biography

Desi Arnaz (March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986) was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer.

While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy, starring with then-wife Lucille Ball.

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Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz

Known For

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

2025

as Self (archive footage)

My Darling Vivian

My Darling Vivian

2020

as Self (archive footage)

Bataan

Bataan

1943

as Felix Ramirez

The Long, Long Trailer

The Long, Long Trailer

1954

as Nicky Collini

A Star Is Born World Premiere

A Star Is Born World Premiere

1954

as Self

The Escape Artist

The Escape Artist

1982

as Mayor Leon Quiñones

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

1983

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

2004

as (archive footage)

Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored

Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored

2011

as Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

Television: The First Fifty Years

1999

as Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

Lucy and Desi

Lucy and Desi

2022

as Self (archive footage)

Judy Garland: By Myself

Judy Garland: By Myself

2004

as Self (archive footage)

Joys

Joys

1976

as Self

Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards

Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards

2005

as Manuelito (segment "Too Many Girls") (archive footage)

The Navy Comes Through

The Navy Comes Through

1942

as Pat Tarriba

CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years

CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years

1976

as Self

I Love Lucy: The Movie

I Love Lucy: The Movie

1953

as Ricky Ricardo / Self

Forever, Darling

Forever, Darling

1956

as Lorenzo Xavier 'Larry' Vega

A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music

2025

as Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2

Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2

1941