Who was Lucille Ball? Life and career explored as actress' secretary Wanda Clark dies at 87

Lucille Désirée "Lucy" Ball, or commonly known as Lucille Ball, was an American actress, comedian, studio executive, and producer. Although the actress passed away in 1989, she was recognized by Time Magazine in 2020 as one of the most influential women of the 20th century. Ball's acting skills and talent won her numerous awards, including two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Awards and nominations commemorated Lucille's illustrious career. She had 13 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award. A few other honors presented to her include the Kennedy Center Honor, the Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and her induction into the Television Hall of Fame.

Lucille Ball passed away at the age of 77 in 1989 after suffering from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Before this, she underwent a 7-hour surgery to get an aortic valve replacement. Today, her name is making headlines again as her long-time secretary, Wanda Clark, has passed away at 87 years old.

Lucille Ball's life and career

Before entering her acting career, Lucille Ball actually started as a model, and later moved into acting. She initially started on the Broadway stage and later moved into smaller roles in the film industry. This was when she met her husband, Desi Arnaz, a Cuban bandleader.

A decade after playing roles in B-films, she and her husband started a sitcom titled I Love Lucy in 1951. In the same year, Ball gave birth to her first daughter, Lucy Arnaz, and two years later, her second child, Desi Arnaz Jr., was born. However, Ball and Arnaz's marriage did not last long, and she married Gary Morton in 1961.

As mentioned, Lucille Ball is not just an actress and a comedian; she is also a producer. She ran a major television studio, known as Desilu Productions. Some of the well-known television shows released by Desilu Productions include Star Trek and Mission: Impossible.

Ball also starred and produced the Broadway musical, Wildcat, in 1961. After this, she worked with Vivian Vance on The Lucy Show. After Vance left, she continued with the show for a while and later moved to Here's Lucy with Gale Gordon.

The last film Ball appeared in was Life with Lucy, which was released in 1986, three years before the renowned actress passed away. Before this, she appeared in Stone Pillow, a film directed by George Schaefer.

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Lucille Ball's legacy is remembered once more as her loyal longtime secretary, Wanda Clark, passes away, closing a heartfelt chapter in the life of the legendary star.

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