Lucille Ball’s life and career timeline

Lucille Ball is born on August 6th in Celeron, New York.

Family moves to Butte, Montana, where her father contracts and dies of typhoid fever. The family returns to Celeron.

Lucille is active in the Drama Club in high school until she drops out and moves to Manhattan to study acting.

Becomes Chesterfield cigarette's Poster Girl under the name of "Diane Belmont."

Signs movie contract with Samuel Goldwyn who brings her to Hollywood to be a Goldwyn Girl.

Signs with Columbia Pictures and takes drop in pay. Biggest role is in "Three Little Pigskins" starring the Three Stooges.

Lucille plays small but memorable role in "Stage Door" starring Ginger Rogers and Kathryn Hepburn.

Stars in B-Movies "The Affairs of Annabel" and "Annabel Takes a Tour."

Meets Desi Arnaz, on set of "Too Many Girls," in which they are co-stars. Within the year they are married.

Acts in "The Big Street," a Damon Runyon story costarring Henry Fonda and Agnes Moorehead.

Stars in MGM musicals "Dubarry Was a Lady" and "Best Foot Forward."

Divorces Desi but cohabits with him before the decree can become final. They resume their marriage.

Begins work on "My Favorite Husband," a radio sitcom co-staring Richard Denning.

Lucille and Desi form Desilu Productions and travel around the country with vaudeville routine.

"I Love Lucy" premieres on CBS on Monday nights at 9pm.

Lucille and Desi sign an $8,000,000, 2-year contract with CBS for continuation of the series.

Desi Arnaz Jr. is born. Little Ricky is born on "I Love Lucy" making front page headlines.

Lucille wins Emmy for Best Actress (Continuing Performance).

May 6 - The 180th and final new episode of "I Love Lucy" is aired. Nov. 6 - The first Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show is aired.

March 3 - Lucille Ball files for divorce from Desi Arnaz. April 1 - The 13th and final episode of Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show is aired.

Ball (50) marries comedian Gary Morton (44).

The 1st episode of "The Lucy Show" is broadcast.

Lucille purchases Desi Arnaz' half of Desilu Studios and becomes the first female in history to head a Hollywood studio.

William Frawley dies.

Sells Desilu to Paramount/Gulf and Western for $17 million.

Stars in her last movie blockbuster "Yours, Mine and Ours" with Henry Fonda.

Designated "Comedienne of the Century" at a benefit show "To Lucy with Love" at the LA Music Center.

Stars in her last theatrical film, "Mame."

Vivian Vance dies.

Stars in CBS dramatic TV film "Stone Pillow" about a homeless woman.

Short lived new TV series "Life with Lucy" lasts only six weeks. December 2 - Desi Arnaz dies of lung cancer.

Lucille Ball dies at age 78.