Desi Arnaz

Acting

March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986 (aged 69)

Santiago, Cuba

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.

Filmography

A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music

A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music2025 · Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music2025 · Self (archive footage)

Lucy and Desi

Lucy and Desi2022 · Self (archive footage)

My Darling Vivian

My Darling Vivian2020 · Self (archive footage)

I Love Lucy Christmas Special

I Love Lucy Christmas Special2016 · Ricky

Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored

Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored2011 · Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

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

Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards2005 · Manuelito (segment "Too Many Girls") (archive footage)

Judy Garland: By Myself

Judy Garland: By Myself2004 · Self (archive footage)

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years2004 · (archive footage)

Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy

Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy2000 · Self (archive footage)

Television: The First Fifty Years

Television: The First Fifty Years1999 · Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1

The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 11997

E! True Hollywood Story

E! True Hollywood Story1996

Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie

Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie1993 · Self

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage1983 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

The Escape Artist

The Escape Artist1982 · Mayor Leon Quiñones

CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years

CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years1976 · Self

Alice

Alice1976 · Ruth

Salsa

Salsa1976 · Self (archive footage)

Joys

Joys1976 · Self

Donny & Marie

Donny & Marie1976 · Self

Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television

Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television1975 · (archive footage)

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live1975 · Self - Host & Musical Guest

Land's End1968 · Guest Waiting to Cash Check

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In1968 · Self (uncredited)

Martian Child

Martian Child1967 · Raphael Delgado

Ironside

Ironside1967 · Dr. Juan Domingo

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · Self

The Virginian

The Virginian1962 · El Jefe

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show1961 · Self

The Man in the Funny Suit

The Man in the Funny Suit1960 · Self - Host

Sakuran

Sakuran1959 · Ricky Ricardo

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse1958

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour1957 · Ricky Ricardo

The Bob Hope Chevy Show

The Bob Hope Chevy Show1956 · Fred Mertz

Tony Awards

Tony Awards1956 · Self - Performer

Forever, Darling

Forever, Darling1956 · Lorenzo Xavier Vega

Lucy's Really Lost Moments

Lucy's Really Lost Moments1956 · Ricky Ricardo

MGM Parade

MGM Parade1955 · Self

December Bride

December Bride1954 · Self

I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy1951 · Ricky Ricardo

Cuban Pete

Father Takes a Wife

Father Takes a Wife1941