HAZEL PIERCE

April 10, 1893

Hazel Pierce was born in Los Angles, California. Because she was the same general height and weight as Lucile Ball, she was hired to be her camera and lighting stand-in on “I Love Lucy.”  This required her to attend rehearsals where camera’s and lighting instruments would be aimed and focused, a time consuming and tedious job, although necessary. Desi Arnaz also had a stand-in. His name was Bennett Green.

Hazel was married to Wesley Pierce. They were a comedic dance team called Pierce & Harris (her maiden name was Hazel Harris). Wesley had died by the time “I Love Lucy came along”. Ball allowed Pierce to live in her guest house. 

“Hazel was a very nervous person, and ditsy in a kind of Gracie Allen / Stan Laurel kind of way. Instead of ‘What?’ she would say ‘Hello?’ Lucie recalls that Hazel would be walking down the hall, carrying a big stack of papers, and Lucy would scream, ‘Hazel! Get over here!’ really loud, causing Hazel to throw the papers in the air in surprise.” ~ Life After Lucy, by Keith Thibodeaux (aka Little Ricky)

In return Pierce would be given small roles on the show, usually in the background, but sometimes even given a character name or a line. She also worked on the first seasons of “The Lucy Show” and one episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” 

She was sometimes in the company of Bess Flowers aka The Queen of the Extras. 

On a few occasions she stepped out of the crowd and sometimes spoke a line. She won the TV set given away by the Ladies Overseas Aid. 

Nearly unrecognizable under the bandages, she played Mrs. Peterson, who went over Niagara Falls in a barrel to win a radio contest!  This was her first episode of more than twenty where she can be spotted. 

She was usually present when Lucy’s friends and neighbors gathered. 

She was a waitress at the corner drugstore. The next episode that was set at the same location, the waitress is not present, but Fred calls out “Oh, Hazel!” anyway. 

She also waited tables in Sun Valley!  

She is the flapper who says “I’m an angel!”  

Pierce, who is usually a poker faced performer who has trouble with focus during scenes, is here having the time of her life singing and dancing!  

Although the role was later taken over by Ruth Brady, Pierce was the first to play Grace Munson. 

She was also a maternity nurse!  When she wasn’t hanging around with Green, Pepper (Barbara, left) was often nearby! 

She was a member of the Westport Country Club, sharing the scene with Ruth Brady meaning that both Grace Munsons were in the same room at the same time! 

She was there when Bill Holden got a pie in the face! 

When Lucy entered a baking contest – Hazel did too! 

When Lucy went to night school – so did Hazel! 

If Lucy took an interest in politics – so did Hazel. 

Courtrooms always needed spectators and jurors!

In Danfield, Pierce was part of the volunteer fire brigade. 

As well as the Danfield Community Theatre. 

At a Dude Ranch, both former stand-ins are backing up Lucy: Hazel and Bennett Green! 

When Hazel Pierce attends a Hollywood premiere dressed in a full-length white fur coat, Lucy meekly asks her “Are you anybody”?  This is a fitting joke for a woman who made a career out of standing in Lucille Ball’s shadow.  For once, the tables are turned – at least for one episode! 

In some episodes, Pierce actually had a character name!  

In 1961 and 62, without Lucy, but on her turf, she worked on episodes of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Joey Bishop Show,” both filmed at Desilu, as well as six episodes of the hit Desilu series “The Untouchables.”  She often turns up on other Desilu-filmed series as well, such as “Angel” (above) and some episodes of “The Jack Benny Show.”  The names of uncredited performers were rarely published, but relied upon eagle-eyed fans for attribution.  

Thanks to Lucy, Pierce was also briefly seen in movies, too!  She had bit roles in Forever, Darling (1956) and The Facts of Life (1960). 

Pierce died on March 1, 1984 at age 90.