On “Here’s Lucy,” more than any other series, Lucille Ball used her vast network of Hollywood celebrities as guest stars! Here are some of the famous and near-famous who braved Lucy’s comedy Olympics!
LUCY FACES THE MUSIC: THE MUSICIANS
LAWRENCE WELK
Welk was a musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted the television program “The Lawrence Welk Show” from 1951 to 1982 on ABC. Like Lucy, one of his favorite words was “Wonderful!” Welk was to music, what Lucy was to comedy – classically old school in a changing world. He was one of the most mentioned celebrities on “The Lucy Show” and played himself on “Here’s Lucy.”
RUDY VALLEE
Vallee started his career as a saxophone player and singer and became a popular bandleader, hosting a hit radio program in the 1930s. He played himself on the very first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1957. Here he plays himself, dealing with the changing music scene head-on!
PATTY ANDREWS
Patty and her sisters, Maxene and LaVerne, were one of the most successful women’s singing groups, with 19 gold records and sales of nearly 100 million copies. With Patty on her own here, Lucy and Kim pose as her sisters to perform some of their greatest hits!
DINAH SHORE
Dinah Shore was a singer, actress, and television personality, and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1940s. She rose to prominence as a recording artist during the Big Band era. She played herself here, one of Lucy Carter’s favorite singers.
PHIL HARRIS
Phil Harris was a bandleader who became a comic radio star as a Jack Benny sidekick in the 1930s. He played a songwriter named Phil Stanley on “The Lucy Show.” He was sometimes the butt of jokes on the series for his reputation for drinking. Here he plays himself and sings his signature song “That’s What I Like About the South.”
‘TENNESSEE’ ERNIE FORD
Ford was the first and only celebrity to make three guest star appearances (playing a variation on himself) on “I Love Lucy.” A popular country singer of the 1950s, this was his first credited ‘acting’ job, before his big hit with the song “Sixteen Tons” in 1955. He then appeared (also as a variation on himself) on “The Lucy Show.” This is his fifth and final appearance on a Lucille Ball sitcom, playing a singer named Ernie Epperson.
LIBERACE
Dubbed “Mr. Showmanship,” he enjoyed a career spanning four decades of concerts, recordings, television, motion pictures, and endorsements. At the height of his fame, from the 1950s to the 1970s, Liberace was the highest-paid entertainer in the world, with established residencies in Las Vegas, and an international touring schedule. Prior to this episode playing himself (of course), his only appearance with Lucille Ball was the musical film ‘Best Foot Forward’ (1943).
SAMMY DAVIS JR.
Davis was a singer, dancer, actor and comedian noted for his impressions of actors, musicians and other celebrities. His comic talents were a good match for Lucille Ball. He later matched wits with Archie Bunker on “All in the Family.” Playing himself here, he sings “And When I Die.”
WAYNE NEWTON
One of Lucille Ball’s favorite singers, Newton makes his second appearance as himself on “Here’s Lucy,” having also played himself on “The Lucy Show.” He is one of the best-known entertainers in Las Vegas, known by the nicknames the ‘Midnight Idol,’ ‘Mr. Las Vegas’ and ‘Mr. Entertainment.’ Here he performs “I’ve Got the World on a String” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.”
STEVE LAWRENCE & EYDIE GORME
Steve and Eydie were one of the most popular singing married couples in show-business, headliners in Las Vegas and around the world. Eydie had a hit with “If He Walked Into My Life” from the musical “Mame,” which Lucy then sang in the film version.
ANN-MARGRET
Ann-Margret is one of Hollywood’s most enduring sex symbols, singers, and actors.
Craig and Ann-Margret perform the song “Country Music” by Steve March, the son of Mel Torme and adopted son of Arnaz family friend, Hal March.
FRANKIE AVALON
A recording star and musician, Avalon’s movie career took off when paired with Annette Funicello in “Beach Party” (1963) and its string of sequels. He played Teen Angel in “Grease” (1978) and considers “Beauty School Dropout” to be his most popular song. He previously played Tommy Cheever on “The Lucy Show” in 1967 but here plays himself. He memorably impersonates Sonny Bono opposite Lucie Arnaz as Cher.
PETULA CLARK
Clark is a British-born singer and actor who became well-known for her pop hits “Downtown”, “I Know a Place”, “A Sign of the Times”, “Color My World”, “This Is My Song” and “Don’t Sleep in the Subway”. She was dubbed ‘the First Lady of the British Invasion’. Playing herself (and pregnant) she appears here with her real-life husband Claude Wolff.
JOHN DAVIDSON
Davidson is a singer / actor who appeared on Broadway and television, and made the transition to game show host with “The Hollywood Squares.” Davidson plays music professor John Kleindorf here, and sings “Happy Together” and “I Believe In Music.”
BUDDY RICH
Rich first appeared with Lucille Ball as a member of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in “DuBarry Was a Lady” (1943). Widely considered one of the most influential drummers of all time and known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed, Rich was billed as ‘the world’s greatest drummer’ during his career. Naturally, here he is teamed with Desi Arnaz Jr., a drummer like his father.
DONNY OSMOND
Donny began his career singing with his brothers, The Osmonds. Osmond became a teen idol in the early 1970s as a solo singer, while continuing to sing with his older brothers. Here, as himself, he sings “Too Young” (to Eve Plumb!) and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” with Lucie Arnaz.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB: NIGHTCLUB PERFORMER SUPERSTARS!
TOTIE FIELDS
Fields was a nightclub comedienne whose first big break came on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” After that, she appeared on many TV talk and variety shows. This appearance (as Mrs. Poopsie Butkus, the milkman’s wife) was just one of handful of ‘acting’ jobs. Fields also sang her signature tune, “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You” as part of the episode.
JOAN RIVERS
The legendary performer was a stand-up comedian, actress, writer, producer, and television host. Rivers gained prominence in 1965 as a guest host on “The Tonight Show,” interviewing Lucille Ball three times. Here she plays jury member Joan Reynolds.
JIM BAILEY
Bailey was spotted by Lucille Ball and had this episode written for him. He became one of the world’s most famous female impersonators, transforming himself into such stars as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Peggy Lee, and Phyllis Diller, who he impersonates here, although he also appears out of drag, singing “Fever” with Lucie Arnaz.
FOSTER BROOKS
Brooks’ drunk act went over well with crowds at Las Vegas nightclubs and on television. He was a frequent guest on talk and variety shows and several Dean Martin celebrity roasts. Here he plays an alcoholic mystery novelist, David Benton Miller, that Lucy helps finish writing his latest book.
RICH LITTLE
Is a Canadian nightclub comic who became famous for his vast repertoire of impressions. His screen career began in 1964 and he appeared on virtually every TV talk and variety show over the next thirty years. He was known as “The Man of a Thousand Voices.” Here he does John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Jack Benny on the episode.
MY NEXT GUESTS: TV HOSTS!
JOHNNY CARSON
Carson was a talk show host and comedian, best known for his 30 years as host of “The Tonight Show” for which he received six Emmy Awards. Carson and Lucille Ball appeared together many times on TV specials and award shows. Carson played himself on “Lucy Moves to NBC” in 1980.
ED McMAHON
McMahon was a comedian, actor, singer, game show host, and announcer. He is most famous for his thirty year run as Johnny Carson’s sidekick, announcer, and second banana on “The Tonight Show.” In his first appearance on “Here’s Lucy” he played himself with Johnny Carson. In his second he played a bank loan officer named Ed McMillan. In 1977 he acted with Lucille Ball on “Lucy Calls the President” where he became the only other actor besides Desi Arnaz to play Lucy’s husband on television!
ART LINKLETTER
Linkletter was the host of “House Party” (aka “The Linkletter Show”) which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and “People Are Funny,” on NBC radio and TV for 19 years. He was mentioned on “The Lucy Show” and where he also played himself in 1966.
ALAN FUNT
Funt is best known as the producer, director, and host of the hidden camera show “Candid Camera.” He produced “Candid Microphone” on radio before moving the format to television in 1948. Here he not only plays himself, he also plays a con-man pretending to be Funt. It was a stretch for him, as he was not an actor.
STAGE TO SCREEN: BROADWAY BRILLIANCE!
HELEN HAYES
Hayes was known as ‘The First Lady of the American Theatre’. She won a 1932 Oscar for “The Sin of Madelon Claudet.” On Broadway, she won Tony Awards in 1947, 1958, and a special Tony in 1980. She has had two Broadway Theatres named after her. Hayes threw herself into television and screen work after being diagnosed as allergic to stage dust! Lucille Ball was in awe of Hayes, who played an Irish widow named Kathleen Brady.
ROBERT ALDA
Alda originated the role of Sky Masterson in Broadway’s “Guys and Dolls,” winning the 1951 Tony Award. He was seen in a variety of character roles (usually eligible bachelors) on both “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy.”
HOWARD KEEL
Keel was discovered by Oscar Hammerstein II during auditions for John Raitt’s replacement in Broadway’s “Carousel” in 1946. After that, he also went on to play Curly in “Oklahoma!” Here he plays big game hunter Stanley Livingston, on the trail of the wild Gorboona, in what is widely considered the worst episode of the series! What’s worse, it is a non-musical episode!
JACK GILFORD
Gilford began his career in the Amateur Nights of the 1930s moving on to nightclubs doing satire and pantomime. He was nominated for Tony Awards for Best Supporting Actor in the musicals “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1962) and “Cabaret” (1966). Here he plays a driving instructor with Craig behind the wheel and Lucy as back seat driver!
SPORTS & POLITICS: PLAYERS IN THE LIMELIGHT!
O.J. SIMPSON
An alumni of the University of Southern California and winner of the Heisman Trophy, he is is former NFL running back for the Buffalo Bills (1969-77) and the San Francisco 49’ers (1977-78).
Once a popular figure with the public, he is most well known today for his trial and acquittal for the murders of his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.
JOE NAMATH
Joe Namath was a record-setting and award-winning professional football player. His career on the gridiron began in 1965 with the Jets and ended 1977 with the Rams. Nicknamed ‘Broadway Joe’, he also was an actor doing stage, screen, and television commercials.
JACK LaLANNE
LaLanne was a nationally known exercise guru who owned a chain of health clubs and hosted a long-running television show from 1952 to 1983.
SAM YORTY
Yorty was the mayor of Los Angeles from 1961 to 1973. During his tenure he earned numerous nicknames from both admirers and detractors, such as Travelin’ Sam, Airplane Sam, Shoot-From-the-Lip Sam, the Maverick Mayor, Mad Sam Yorty, Scrappy Sam, Suitcase Sam, Saigon Sam, and the Reform Republican.
In 1997, a survey of urban historians and political scientists rated Yorty the third worst big-city mayor in the USA since 1960.
BEST FOR LAST: THE QUEEN OF COMEDY!
LUCILLE BALL
Ball plays herself in this episode where she meets the mother of a look-alike contestant, Lucy Carter. Ball was the star of three hit television shows and numerous Hollywood films.
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