If you have ever watched the I love Lucy Show, then you definitely know Lucille Ball. The shows re-runs are still watched by people all over the world. This famous actress accomplished many things in her lifetime and is widely respected. She came from an unwealthy family in New York, and by the age of 35 was one of the wealthiest women alive. Despite all of her hardships, Lucille kept moving forward to bring laughter to the homes of families worldwide. .
Lucille Ball was born on the 6th of August in 1911. From the time she was born, she was called by her nickname "Lucy". She came from a suburb of Jamestown NY, where her father was a telephone lineman for the Bell Company. Lucille moved often due to her fathers job. During her mother's pregnancy with her younger brother Frederick, Lucy's father contracted typhoid fever and died in February of 1915. Lucille was only four years old when her father died, which made her later years of childhood harder on her mother. After her father's death, Lucille, her mother, and her brother Frederick all moved in with Lucy's grandparents. Her grandfather greatly enjoyed plays and shows and they attended them often. He encouraged Lucy to join the plays and drama clubs at her high school. When Lucy was fifteen however, she dropped out of high school to attend a boarding theatre school in New York. She only lasted six weeks before returning home because they said she had "no talent" (Womens History Month). .
Lucy began working for a few years as a model with a Dress Designer by the name of Hattie Carnegie. During her modeling career she went by the name Diane Belmont. Lucy at this time unfortunately contracts Rheumatoid arthritis and is told she will never walk again. After about a year of crucial physical therapy she regains her ability to walk and auditions for a cigarette commercial. She was chosen to promote cigarettes as the "chesterfield girl". She began her movie stardom when she was walking down Broadway one day and ran into a theatrical agent.
