She’s 104 today, the Queen of Comedy, Lucille Ball!!
I wasn’t a typical kid.
I was the one who watched old movies, enjoyed listening to 1940s and 50s music, and religiously watched I Love Lucy. I don’t remember which episode was my first, but I do remember watching it on a VCR….(GASP) what’s that?!
For those of you who don’t know what I Love Lucy is, go educate yourself….
For her 100th birthday, I had the pleasure of going to Jamestown with my aunt, mom, and cousin who are just as obsessed with her as I am.
Why Jamestown, you ask?
Read on!
Born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, Lucille Ball got her start as a singer, model and film star before becoming one of America’s top comedic actresses with the 1950s TV show I Love Lucy, co-starring on the show with her husband, Desi Arnaz. The two divorced in 1960, and Lucy went on to star in The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy while also becoming a top TV executive.
She died on April 26, 1989.
That was probably the quickest summary I could think of for her life, but I encourage you all to read up on her. She was a genius. Most women in the 1950s were stuck in their kitchens cooking, but not Lucy. After I Love Lucy premiered in 1951, the show broke ground as the first TV series to use three cameras instead of one, thanks to Desi, and walked away with four Primetime Emmy awards. Lucy was also the first woman to run a major television studio, producing the show through the her and Desi’s company, Desilu. Lucille Ball’s comedy stylings have even influenced the likes of Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
So back to Jamestown for a sec….every year there is a festival that celebrates her birthday, as well as housing the only Lucy-Desi Museum in the world. When I went for her 100th birthday, I was beyond excited!!
So in celebration for her birthday, I’m going to leave you with some memorable quotes of hers:
(from various sources)
1. “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
2. “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”
3. “I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.”
4. “The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.”
5. “I’m not funny. What I am is brave.”
Not only did she leave a lasting legacy on the TV world, but she left a legacy on my world.
She taught me that life isn’t always a basket of roses. She taught me that you have to work hard for what you’re passionate about. She taught me that women are capable of accomplishing anything they want.
She taught me to laugh.
Happy birthday, Lucy. I know you’re up there probably making my grandpa laugh.