Lucille Ball “Visibly Shaken” As Letter From Desi Arnaz Is Read To Her 5 Days After His Death
Mondadori via Getty Image, YouTube/Chronic Nostalgia
In December 1986, during the Kennedy Center Honors, a touching tribute to Lucille Ball included a moment that undoubtedly moved everyone watching.
Just five days after the passing of her ex-husband, Desi Arnaz, Lucille was visibly shaken as Desi’s planned speech was read, celebrating her comedic brilliance and lasting impact on television.
About Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s Relationship
Emmy-winning actor, musician, and producer Desi Arnaz first met comedy icon Lucille Ball on the set of the 1940 musical “Too Many Girls.” They fell for each other fast and ended up eloping just six months later. Together, they created and starred in the groundbreaking sitcom “I Love Lucy” from 1951 to 1957. The show quickly became America’s favorite, making Lucy and Desi household names and cementing their status as TV legends.
Despite their initial passion, Lucille and Desi’s marriage encountered significant challenges over their two-decade relationship. In 1960, Lucille filed for divorce from Desi, citing issues of infidelity and his struggles with alcohol abuse as contributing factors. They both remarried other partners, leading separate lives until their respective passings.
Desi’s Emotional Speech to Lucille
Arnaz passed away at the age of 69 from lung cancer on December 2, 1986. Just five days later, on December 7, 1986, Lucille Ball was honored as a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. During the ceremony, Lucille was moved to tears as actor Robert Stack read Desi’s prepared speech in his honor, which expressed Desi’s admiration and love for Lucille despite the years since their separation.
“I Love Lucy had just one mission, to make people laugh,” the speech began. “Lucy gave it a rare quality. She can perform the wildest, even the messiest physical comedy without losing her feminine appeal. The New York Times asked me to divide the credit for the show’s success between the writers, the directors, and the cast. I told them to give Lucy 90% of the credit and divide the other 10% among the rest of us.”
Desi’s speech concluded, “Lucy was the show…. P.S. ‘I Love Lucy’ was never just a title.”
Watch the emotional moment in the video below.
