When you think of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, you probably picture the beloved I Love Lucy sitcom that became a cultural phenomenon. But there's so much more to their story than what unfolded on the small screen. These two legends weren't just iconic actors; they were also parents to two children who grew up in the spotlight. Let's dive into their lives, their family, and how it all unfolded behind the scenes.

When Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz walked down the aisle in 1940, little did they know they'd go on to create one of the most memorable families in Hollywood history. In 1951, their first child, Lucie, arrived, bringing joy to their world. But the Arnaz family story didn’t end there. Two years later, they welcomed a son, Desi Arnaz Jr., into the fold. Despite their two-decade marriage, the couple eventually parted ways in 1960. It wasn’t all picture-perfect moments, as Lucie, their eldest, once revealed to Closer Weekly, "They were fighting all the time when we were growing up. There was a lot of anger and screaming." The divorce was tough, and alcoholism added to the challenges. "I wish those things hadn’t been there," Lucie shared. "We didn’t face abuse, but we did endure some hard times, which is why my parents didn’t stay together."

Lucie Désirée Arnaz: Following in Her Parents' Footsteps

Lucille Ball Kids — Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Prime Video

Lucie Arnaz, just like her famous parents, followed the Hollywood path. She became an actress, singer, and producer, making her mark in the entertainment industry. As a child, she wasn’t just an observer; she was a part of the magic, making cameo appearances on her mom’s legendary show. Eventually, she became a regular on Here’s Lucy, where she played Lucy’s daughter on screen.

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Lucie’s talents weren’t confined to the small screen. She also graced the stage and the big screen, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her role in the 1980 film The Jazz Singer. In her personal life, Lucie has been happily married to actor Laurence Luckinbill since 1980, and they’ve welcomed three children into their family.

Despite the ups and downs of her parents’ relationship, Lucie holds fond memories of them. “She was very kind to her fans and always took time for them,” Lucie once said about her mother. “She taught me that if they come up and bother you while you’re eating your dinner, don’t get upset. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have anything. And my father was the same way: very generous, very appreciative, and very grateful for every bit of it.”

Lucie also has nothing but admiration for her late father, who played a pivotal role in putting I Love Lucy on the map. “After many years, people are acknowledging what was created and that the show was historic and pioneering for television,” she explained. “It’s not all him, and he never took credit for all of that himself. He credits the people he was smart enough to hire, who figured out how to do a three-camera show in front of a live audience on film, which had never been done before.”

Director Aaron Sorkin spent years developing a film based on Lucy and Desi’s relationship. The movie, Being the Ricardos, was released by Amazon Studios in December 2021, starring Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as the iconic couple. Before production began, Aaron met with Lucie and Desi Jr. to discuss how their parents’ relationship would be portrayed in the film. They served as executive producers on the project.

“We all had lunch together, and she said to me, ‘I know my mother wasn’t an easy woman. Take the gloves off.’ In other words, you can go for it,” Aaron told The Hollywood Reporter in November 2021 about his conversation with Lucie.

Lucie watched an advanced screening of Being the Ricardos in October 2021. In an Instagram video, she praised the movie, calling it “freaking amazing.” She gave her full approval to Nicole and Javier’s portrayals of her parents. Lucie applauded Aaron for capturing “the essence of that time in their lives so well.”