Desi Arnaz Movies, Biography, Credits & Career Highlights

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.

Desi Arnaz Career Highlights

• Known for Tony Awards, The Red Skelton Show, I Love Lucy, December Bride, The Ed Sullivan Show, and MGM Parade.
• Credits include actors, directing, writing, production, and creator.
• Recent listed credits include A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music, Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music, Lucy and Desi, and My Darling Vivian.

Desi Arnaz Personal Facts

Known For

Acting

Gender

male

Known Credits

90

Birth Date

1917-03-02 00:00:00

Birth Place

Santiago, Cuba

Desi Arnaz Known For

• 

  Tony Awards
• 

  The Red Skelton Show
• 

  I Love Lucy
• 

  December Bride
• 

  The Ed Sullivan Show
• 

  MGM Parade

Desi Arnaz Movies and Credits

• actors (8 credits)

  • A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music

    Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2025
  • Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

    Self (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2025
  • Lucy and Desi

    Self (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2022
  • My Darling Vivian

    Self (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2020
  • I Love Lucy Christmas Special

    Ricky

    actor

    actors
    2016
  • Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored

    Ricky Ricardo (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2011
  • Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards

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

    actor

    actors
    2005
  • Judy Garland: By Myself

    Self (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2004

• directing (6 credits)

  • Land's End

    director

    directing
    1968
  • The Carol Channing Show

    director

    directing
    1966
  • The Lucy Show

    director

    directing
    1962
  • NBC Sunday Showcase

    director

    directing
    1959
  • The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

    director

    directing
    1957
  • Lucy's Really Lost Moments

    director

    directing
    1956

• writing (2 credits)

  • Land's End

    writer

    writing
    1968
  • Lucy's Really Lost Moments

    writer

    writing
    1956

• production (8 credits)

  • Land's End

    producer

    production
    1968
  • The Carol Channing Show

    producer

    production
    1966
  • Star Trek: The Cage

    executive producer

    production
    1965
  • Surf Scene

    executive producer

    production
    1963
  • The Lucy Show

    producer

    production
    1962
  • Dragon by the Tail

    executive producer

    production
    1961
  • Alcatraz Express

    executive producer

    production
    1961
  • The Man in the Funny Suit

    producer

    production
    1960

• creator (2 credits)

  • Land's End

    creator

    creator
    1968
  • Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

    creator

    creator
    1958

Desi Arnaz Profiles and Sources

• IMDb
• TMDB