
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
March 2, 1917
Died
December 2, 1986 (age 69)
Place of Birth
Santiago, Cuba
Desi Arnaz
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.
Known For

TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962

TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host & Musical Guest
1975

TV
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961

TV
The Red Skelton Show
Self
1951

TV
What's My Line?
Self
1950

TV
What's My Line?
Self - Panelist
1950

TV
Ironside
Dr. Juan Domingo
1967

TV
The Virginian
El Jefe
1962

TV
Alice
1976

TV
December Bride
Self
1954

TV
I Love Lucy
Ricky Ricardo
1951

TV
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948

TV
The Bob Hope Show
Self
1950

TV
Donny & Marie
Self
1976

TV
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1958

TV
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self (uncredited)
1968

TV
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self
1968

TV
MGM Parade
Self
1955

TV
The Mothers-in-Law
Raphael Delgado
1967

TV
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Ricky Ricardo
1957
Filmography
2025FilmA Grammy Celebration of Latin Musicas Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)2025FilmLadies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Musicas Self (archive footage)2022FilmLucy and Desias Self (archive footage)2020FilmMy Darling Vivianas Self (archive footage)2016FilmI Love Lucy Christmas Specialas Ricky2011FilmClassic TV Bloopers Uncensoredas Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)2005FilmBroadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awardsas Manuelito (segment "Too Many Girls") (archive footage)2004FilmJudy Garland: By Myselfas Self (archive footage)2004FilmTV in Black: The First Fifty Yearsas (archive footage)2000FilmLucille Ball: Finding Lucyas Self (archive footage)1999FilmTelevision: The First Fifty Yearsas Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)1997FilmThe Funny World of Lucy, Volume 11996TVE! True Hollywood Story1993FilmLucy and Desi: A Home Movieas Self1983FilmHollywood Out-takes and Rare Footageas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)1982FilmThe Escape Artistas Mayor Leon Quiñones1976FilmCBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Yearsas Self1976TVAlice1976FilmSalsaas Self (archive footage)1976FilmJoysas Self1976TVDonny & Marieas Self1975FilmTexaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Televisionas (archive footage)1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Host & Musical Guest1968TVLand's Endas Guest Waiting to Cash Check1968TVRowan & Martin's Laugh-Inas Self (uncredited)1967TVThe Mothers-in-Lawas Raphael Delgado1967TVIronsideas Dr. Juan Domingo1962TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self1962TVThe Virginianas El Jefe1961TVThe Mike Douglas Showas Self1960FilmThe Man in the Funny Suitas Self - Host1959TVNBC Sunday Showcaseas Ricky Ricardo1958TVWestinghouse Desilu Playhouse1957TVThe Lucy–Desi Comedy Houras Ricky Ricardo1956FilmThe Bob Hope Chevy Showas Fred Mertz1956FilmForever, Darlingas Lorenzo Xavier 'Larry' Vega1956FilmLucy's Really Lost Momentsas Ricky Ricardo1955TVMGM Paradeas Self1954TVDecember Brideas Self1954FilmA Star Is Born World Premiereas Self1954FilmThe Long, Long Traileras Nicky Collini1953FilmI Love Lucy: The Movieas Ricky Ricardo1951TVI Love Lucyas Ricky Ricardo1951TVThe Red Skelton Showas Self1950TVThe Bob Hope Showas Self1950TVWhat's My Line?as Self1949TVThe Ed Wynn Showas Self1949FilmHoliday in Havanaas Carlos Estrada1949TVThe Emmy Awardsas Self1948TVThe Ed Sullivan Showas Self1946FilmDesi Arnaz and His Orchestraas Self1946FilmCuban Peteas Desi Arnaz1943FilmBataanas Felix Ramirez1942FilmThe Navy Comes Throughas Pat Tarriba1942FilmFour Jacks and a Jillas Steve Sarto / King Stephan VIII of Aregal1941FilmHedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 21941FilmFather Takes a Wifeas Carlos Bardez1940FilmToo Many Girlsas Manuelito Lynch—FilmThe Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special