Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz - Hispanic Men, Birthday and Childhood

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Desi Arnaz Biography Stories 

Desi Arnaz's Personal Details

Desi Arnaz was a renowned musician and television producer of America

InformationDetail
BirthdayMarch 2, 1917
Died onDecember 2, 1986
NationalityCuban, American
FamousHispanic Actors, Hispanic Musicians, Hispanic Singers, Singers, Miscellaneous, ESFJ, Hispanic Men
SpousesLucille Ball
ChildrensDesi Arnaz, Lucie Arnaz
Universities
  • St. Patrick Catholic High School
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Desi Arnaz Productions
Cause of death
  • Cancer
Birth PlaceSantiago de Cuba, Cuba
Born CountryCuba
GenderMale
FatherDesiderio Alberto Arnaz II
MotherDolores de Acha
Sun SignPisces
Born inSantiago de Cuba, Cuba
Died at Age69

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Desi Arnaz's photo

Who is Desi Arnaz?

Desi Arnaz was a famous musician, actor and television producer of America. He was the founder of the successful Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra. This orchestra introduced America to conga, a Latin-American dance that received huge popularity. It was Xavier Cugat , a prominent figure of Latin music, who noticed him for his potentiality as a musician. His single “Babalu” is regarded as his signature song. Together with his wife Lucille Ball, he formed Desilu Productions whose works include organizing both of their programs on stage, screens and radio. Under this production, he produced several television series like ‘The Ann Sothern Show’ and ‘The Untouchables’. This production house also produced feature films like ‘Forever, Darling’. As an influential producer, he is credited for his innovative ideas like multi-camera sitcom and organizing live shows before audience at studio through his production of ‘ I Love Lucy’. As an actor, he will be remembered for his outstanding performance in American television series ‘I Love Lucy’ as Ricky Ricardo. He also acted in several films such as ‘Father Takes a Wife’ and ‘The Navy Comes Through’. His role as a dying soldier in ‘Bataan’ brought him wide recognition as a skilled actor.

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Childhood & Early Life

Born as Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III in Santiago de Cuba, Desi Arnaz was the son of Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II, a Cuban politician and Dolores de Acha.

He belonged to an affluent family that owned three ranches, a palatial home and a vacation mansion situated on a private island in Santiago Bay, Cuba.

After the Cuban Revolution in 1933, Alberto, his father was imprisoned and their entire property was confiscated. When his father was released, the family escaped Miami, Florida.

After reaching Florida, Desi took admission at St. Patrick Catholic High School. In an attempt to improve his English, he attended Saint Leo Prep, situated near Tampa in 1934. At the same time, he used to play guitar at the Roney Plaza Hotel.

Career

When Xavier Cugat , a Spanish-American bandleader, discovered his musical potential, Desi got the offer of performing as part of Cugat orchestra. In December 1937, he formed his own band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra in Miami Beach.

The band helped him to get recognition in the music industry of that country and he got the offer to give audition for a Broadway musical ‘Too Many Girls’ in 1939. In the next year, he went to Hollywood to act in the film version of that musical.

In May 1943, he received his draft notice to serve in World War II. As part of the Army, he took the responsibility to direct United Service Organization programs at a military hospital in San Fernando Valley.

After his discharge from service in the Army, he organized a new orchestra that achieved immense success with live appearances and recordings. In 1946, he performed his single “Babalu” that received critical acclaim.

In 1948, along with Lucille Ball, he started Desilu Productions that used to organize their programs on stage, screen and radio. In the next year, he played a crucial role in developing “I Love Lucy’, a successful television series that the CBS broadcast for six years.

He acted as the bandleader for Bob Hope’s radio show. Later, he hosted a musical quiz show titled ‘Your Tropical Trip’. His Desilu Production produced several shows like ‘The Andy Griffith Show’, ‘ The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and ‘Star Trek’.

When Ball sold her share of this production house, Desi formed his own production company Desi Arnaz Productions that produced television sitcom ‘The Mothers-In-Law’.

In the later part of 1970, he co-hosted a week of shows along with daytime host and producer Mike Douglas. He also made a guest appearance with his son Desi. Jr. on ‘Saturday Night Live’ to promote his autobiography “A Book”.

Major Works

He acted in ‘I Love Lucy’, an American television situation comedy that was broadcast from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957 on the CBS. Its story depicts the life of Lucy Ricardo and her bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo. The show won five Emmy Awards.

Personal Life & Legacy

On November 30, 1940, he married Lucille Ball, an actress. They led an unhappy married life. They had two children, Lucie Arnaz, an actress and Desi Arnaz, Jr., an actor.

Ball divorced him in 1960, owing to his problems with alcohol and womanizing. At that time, he was suffering from diverticulitis. On March 2, 1963, he married Edith Mack Hirsch.

He used to smoke four to five Cuban cigars a day. This habit of Desi led him towards suffering from lung cancer. His first wife Ball spent several hours with him before he lapsed into a coma. He died after several months at the age of 69.

Trivia

While living in Cuba with his parents, this multi-talented personality ate cans of pork-and-beans to save money and during that time, he used to clean bird cages for a man to earn money.

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Desi Arnaz's awards

YearNameAward

Golden Globe Awards

1956Television AchievementWinner

Desi Arnaz biography timelines

  • // 2nd Mar 1917
    Born as Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III in Santiago de Cuba, Desi Arnaz was the son of Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II, a Cuban politician and Dolores de Acha.
  • // 1933
    After the Cuban Revolution in 1933, Alberto, his father was imprisoned and their entire property was confiscated. When his father was released, the family escaped Miami, Florida.
  • // 1934
    After reaching Florida, Desi took admission at St. Patrick Catholic High School. In an attempt to improve his English, he attended Saint Leo Prep, situated near Tampa in 1934. At the same time, he used to play guitar at the Roney Plaza Hotel.
  • // 1937
    When Xavier Cugat , a Spanish-American bandleader, discovered his musical potential, Desi got the offer of performing as part of Cugat orchestra. In December 1937, he formed his own band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra in Miami Beach.
  • // 1939
    The band helped him to get recognition in the music industry of that country and he got the offer to give audition for a Broadway musical ‘Too Many Girls’ in 1939. In the next year, he went to Hollywood to act in the film version of that musical.
  • // 30th Nov 1940
    On November 30, 1940, he married Lucille Ball, an actress. They led an unhappy married life. They had two children, Lucie Arnaz, an actress and Desi Arnaz, Jr., an actor.
  • // May 1943
    In May 1943, he received his draft notice to serve in World War II. As part of the Army, he took the responsibility to direct United Service Organization programs at a military hospital in San Fernando Valley.
  • // 1946
    After his discharge from service in the Army, he organized a new orchestra that achieved immense success with live appearances and recordings. In 1946, he performed his single “Babalu” that received critical acclaim.
  • // 1948 To 1949
    In 1948, along with Lucille Ball, he started Desilu Productions that used to organize their programs on stage, screen and radio. In the next year, he played a crucial role in developing “I Love Lucy’, a successful television series that the CBS broadcast for six years.
  • // 15th Oct 1951 To 6th May 1957
    He acted in ‘I Love Lucy’, an American television situation comedy that was broadcast from October 15, 1951 to May 6, 1957 on the CBS. Its story depicts the life of Lucy Ricardo and her bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo. The show won five Emmy Awards.
  • // 1960 To 2nd Mar 1963
    Ball divorced him in 1960, owing to his problems with alcohol and womanizing. At that time, he was suffering from diverticulitis. On March 2, 1963, he married Edith Mack Hirsch.
  • // 1970
    In the later part of 1970, he co-hosted a week of shows along with daytime host and producer Mike Douglas. He also made a guest appearance with his son Desi. Jr. on ‘Saturday Night Live’ to promote his autobiography “A Book”.
  • // 2nd Dec 1986
    He used to smoke four to five Cuban cigars a day. This habit of Desi led him towards suffering from lung cancer. His first wife Ball spent several hours with him before he lapsed into a coma. He died after several months at the age of 69.

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Desi Arnaz's FAQ

  • What is Desi Arnaz birthday?

    Desi Arnaz was born at 1917-03-02

  • When was Desi Arnaz died?

    Desi Arnaz was died at 1986-12-02

  • Where was Desi Arnaz died?

    Desi Arnaz was died in Del Mar, California, U.S.

  • Which age was Desi Arnaz died?

    Desi Arnaz was died at age 69

  • Where is Desi Arnaz's birth place?

    Desi Arnaz was born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

  • What is Desi Arnaz nationalities?

    Desi Arnaz's nationalities is Cuban, American

  • Who is Desi Arnaz spouses?

    Desi Arnaz's spouses is Lucille Ball

  • Who is Desi Arnaz childrens?

    Desi Arnaz's childrens is Desi Arnaz, Lucie Arnaz

  • What was Desi Arnaz universities?

    Desi Arnaz studied at St. Patrick Catholic High School

  • Which company or organization was founded by Desi Arnaz?

    Desi Arnaz was the founder/co-founder of Desi Arnaz Productions

  • What is Desi Arnaz's cause of dead?

    Desi Arnaz dead because of Cancer

  • Who is Desi Arnaz's father?

    Desi Arnaz's father is Desiderio Alberto Arnaz II

  • Who is Desi Arnaz's mother?

    Desi Arnaz's mother is Dolores de Acha

  • What is Desi Arnaz's sun sign?

    Desi Arnaz is Pisces