We mentioned earlier that when Ball was growing up, she and her family were so poor they couldn’t even afford to buy a pencil for school. Well, that poverty affected her all her life, and had something to do with the fact that she collected pencils as an adult.
Lucille would take pencils from her offices at the studio, and even filled an entire closet with pencil packages. When asked about it once, she apparently said, “If when you were a little boy you didn’t have a pencil in school, the way I didn’t, you would understand.”
Lucy’s Mother Was There for Every Recording
For those who were regular watchers of the show, the memory of someone yelling in awe every time Lucy got into one of her conundrums might come up.
That person yelling was Lucy’s mother, Desiree Ball, or DeDe Ball, as she was affectionately called. DeDe was there for the recording of every single 'I Love Lucy' episode.
The Lucille Ball Statue in New York
There was a life-size statue of Lucille Ball in Celoron, a village in the southwest corner of the state of New York. But it was called “Scary Lucy” by fans that, rightly so, thought the statue not only didn’t resemble Ball at all, but actually looked oddly creepy.
The issue was so discussed, that a Facebook page was even created advocating the removal or replacement of the statue. Even the mayor said he was on board. So, in 2016, a new sculptor made a new statue, that actually looks a lot like the beloved Lucy.
Her Daughter Almost Played Rizzo in 'Grease'
When ‘Grease’ came out in 1978, it became an instant cult classic, and the tough tomboy leader of the Pink ladies gang, Betty Rizzo, was forever etched in our mind as a symbol of feminine power and attitude. The person to immortalize this role was Stockard Channing, but it was almost Lucie Arnaz, Ball’s daughter, who snatched the honor.
Lucie was being considered for the part, but Lucille decided her daughter was too good to audition and she proceeded to call the movie’s producers to tell them just that. Apparently, Lucille’s charm didn’t work with the gentlemen, because they immediately decided on Channing.
Lucille's Fracture Was Written Into the Show
Ball had a skiing accident right before the 5th season of 'I Love Lucy' started, so she decided she would write it into the story. As it went, Lucy was in a cast for most of the season.
The sad part was that her trademark physical slapstick comedy was never quite the same. Regardless, crowds continued to adore her.