Desi Arnaz

Acting • 91 Credits

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.

🎬 Directed Titles (5)

Directorial Filmography
The Lucy Show

The Lucy Show

1962 ⭐ 3.5
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

1957 ⭐ 4.3
The Mothers-in-Law

The Mothers-in-Law

1967 ⭐ 3.0
Lucy's Really Lost Moments

Lucy's Really Lost Moments

1956 ⭐ 3.3
Guestward, Ho!

Guestward, Ho!

1960 ⭐ 3.3

✍️ Written & Story Credits (1)

Screenplay, Novel & Story
Lucy's Really Lost Moments

Lucy's Really Lost Moments

1956 ⭐ 3.3
Writer

🎭 Acting Roles (30)

Ranked by Prestige & Popularity
Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975 ⭐ 3.4
as Self - Host & Musical Guest
I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy

1951 ⭐ 4.0
as Ricky Ricardo
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962 ⭐ 3.8
as Self
E! True Hollywood Story

E! True Hollywood Story

1996 ⭐ 4.0
Ironside

Ironside

1967 ⭐ 3.4
as Dr. Juan Domingo
Alice

Alice

1976 ⭐ 3.5
as Ruth
The Long, Long Trailer

The Long, Long Trailer

1954 ⭐ 3.5
as Nicholas Collini
Lucy and Desi

Lucy and Desi

2022 ⭐ 3.5
as Self (archive footage)
Bataan

Bataan

1943 ⭐ 3.2
as Felix Ramirez
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

1968 ⭐ 3.4
as Self
The Virginian

The Virginian

1962 ⭐ 3.3
as El Jefe
What's My Line?

What's My Line?

1950 ⭐ 3.5
as Self
The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948 ⭐ 3.4
as Self
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music

2025 ⭐ 3.9
as Self (archive footage)
The Escape Artist

The Escape Artist

1982 ⭐ 3.1
as Mayor Leon Quiñones
The Red Skelton Show

The Red Skelton Show

1951 ⭐ 3.7
as Self
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

1957 ⭐ 4.3
as Ricky Ricardo
Too Many Girls

Too Many Girls

1940 ⭐ 3.0
as Manuelito
The Navy Comes Through

The Navy Comes Through

1942 ⭐ 3.0
as Pat Tarriba
The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

1961 ⭐ 2.9
as Self
Forever, Darling

Forever, Darling

1956 ⭐ 3.5
as Lorenzo Xavier Vega
Donny & Marie

Donny & Marie

1976 ⭐ 3.4
as Self
The Emmy Awards

The Emmy Awards

1949 ⭐ 4.0
as Self
I Love Lucy: The Movie

I Love Lucy: The Movie

1953 ⭐ 3.9
as Ricky Ricardo / Self
My Darling Vivian

My Darling Vivian

2020 ⭐ 3.5
as Self (archive footage)
Father Takes a Wife

Father Takes a Wife

1941 ⭐ 3.4
as Carlos Bardez
Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie

Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie

1993 ⭐ 4.1
as Self
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

1958 ⭐ 3.1
Holiday in Havana

Holiday in Havana

1949 ⭐ 2.8
as Carlos Estrada
Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra

Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra

1946 ⭐ 2.7
as Self