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.

Photos

Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz

Known For

Joys

Joys

1976

as Self

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)

Cuban Pete

Cuban Pete

1946

as Desi Arnaz

Television: The First Fifty Years

1999

as Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

A Star Is Born World Premiere

A Star Is Born World Premiere

1954

as Self

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

1983

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Bataan

Bataan

1943

as Felix Ramirez

The Escape Artist

The Escape Artist

1982

as Mayor Leon Quiñones

The Long, Long Trailer

The Long, Long Trailer

1954

as Nicky Collini

Lucy and Desi

Lucy and Desi

2022

as Self (archive footage)

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)

Forever, Darling

Forever, Darling

1956

as Lorenzo Xavier 'Larry' Vega

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)

Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television

Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television

1975

as (archive footage)

Judy Garland: By Myself

Judy Garland: By Myself

2004

as Self (archive footage)

A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music

2025

as Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

The Navy Comes Through

The Navy Comes Through

1942

as Pat Tarriba

Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie

Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie

1993

as Self