Stardom 
Lucy's bit part in "Roman Scandals" led to more bit parts in movies.  Her slapstick comedy in the movies.  Her slapstick comedy in the movies was noticed by movie executives and led to her sidekick roles and eventually the lead roles.  She became known as the "Queen of B-Movies".  Lucy made 79 films in all including, "Too Many Girls".  This was the film in which she met her soon-to-be husband, Desi Arnaz.  Lucy and Desi eloped in 1940 after pondering over reasons why they shouldn't get married.  Thier biggest reason was because Desi was 6 years younger than Lucy.
    After her marriage to Desi, Lucy went on to do a weekly radio show titled "My Favorite Husband", which became a huge success, while Desi toured with his band.  CBS wanted to turn "My Favorite Husband" into a weekly series on television and wanted Lucy to star as the scheming wife.  Lucy wanted to keep Desi at home with her, so she had one stipulation:  Desi Arnaz would play her husband.  CBS executives didn't think that people would believe an American woman would marry a Cuban bandleader, so they said no to Lucy's stipulation.  Lucy and Desi took their act on the road and it was a big hit.  CBS finally agreed to let Desi play the husband, and, in 1951, "I Love Lucy" was born.
    "I Love Lucy" was a big hit for CBS.  It remained in the Neilson's top ten throughout its nine year run.  One of the episodes was watched more than President Eisenhower's inauguration.  "I Love Lucy" has been on the air for close to 40 years due to syndication and is one of  America's all time favorite
television shows.
    Lucy and Desi became television's highest paid entertainers making 8 million dollars per season.  They used this money to purchase a bankrupt studio lot and aptly named it Desilu Studios.  Desi was so busy with his job as President of Desilu Studios he couldn't tape a weekly television show, so "I Love Lucy" ended and "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" became a monthly event.  But, success and Desi's womanizing ways took its toll on the Arnaz marriage and they divorced in 13963330 after 19 years of marriage.
    Lucy went on to make 2 more successful shows for CBS:  "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy", while Desi remained President of the Desilu Studios.  Lucy eventually bought out Desi's share of the studio and became the first female President of a production company.
    Lucy won 16 awards for her acting including Best Actress in a comedy series, Entertainer of the Year, and a Lifetime Achievement Award.  She retired from televeion in 1975 after 24 years, doing only cameo appearances on television shows.  She died in April 1989 at the age of 77.
    Lucy had garnered the stardom she dreamed of during her years in Jamestown.
 

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