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Arnaz, Desi
By Sarah Lane
Mar 17, 2006, 10:11

Desi Arnaz - 1917 - 1986

As the first television program to have a child born as part of the plot, "I Love Lucy" traversed uncharted territory and succeeded.  Its success was mainly a result of the business head of Desi Arnaz combined with the comedic talent of Lucille Ball.  Together they created history, but their individual talents were very obvious.
 
When he was only 16, Arnaz moved to the states from Cuba with his mother.  This was during a time of much political unrest in Cuba.  The two fled to Florida taking very little with them.  Arnaz took odd jobs to make ends meet such as cleaning birdcages and selling fruit.  When his father joined them six months later, he was able to use some of his Cuban connections to secure his son an audition with the "Siboney Septet".  They were impressed but required Arnaz to complete high school before allowing him to join the Xavier Cugat Orchestra.  Soon after touring, he would take a lead roll in the Broadway musical, "Too Many Girls" and his talent would be widely recognized.
 
Perhaps the most memorable contribution to television history came when Arnaz and his wife Lucille Ball starred together in their own series, "I Love Lucy."  The show debuted on October 15th, 1951 and continued until 1956.  Desi and Lucy divorced shortly after the show ended and Arnaz soon married Edie Mack.  They were together until her death.  Arnaz served as an Ambassador to Latin America under President Richard M. Nixon, and his autobiography "A Book" was a New York Times Bestseller.  Desi Arnaz died of lung cancer on December 2nd, 1986.  He will be remembered for his musical and acting talents and for his keen sense of business.
Source: Internet Obituary Network