BERNARD BARUCH LOVES LUCY!

July 8, 1953

Bernard Mannes Baruch (1870–1965) was an American financier and stock investor. After his success in business, he devoted his time toward advising US Presidents (particularly FDR) on economic matters and became a philanthropist.

According to several Lucille Ball biographies, Lucy is said to have briefly dated Sailing Baruch Jr., Bernard’s nephew. 

On October 3, 1954, “Toast of the Town” aka “The Ed Sullivan Show,” presented “A Tribute to Lucy and Desi”.  Sullivan kicked off the tribute by reading a letter to Lucy and Desi from Baruch. 

“Please thank the charming Lucille Ball and her attractive husband for the invitation to be present at their appearance on your program tonight. As a constant listener to ‘I Love Lucy’ and your show, Ed, I shall not miss tonight. Your shows are always good, but with them added, it will be tops. Tell her that I still love Lucy.” ~ Bernard M. Baruch

As a guest on “The Zsa Zsa Gabor Show” (a 1969 pilot for a talk show), Ball claimed that Baruch was one of the most interesting men she’d ever met.  

In “Lucy, the Philanthropist” (TLS S6;E11) on November 20, 1967, Mr. Mooney compares Mr. Snowden (Frank McHugh) to ‘Barney’ Baruch.