DESI ARNAZ INTERVIEW

[@dr.spectre9697]

Growing up my family was quite poor but hardworking. My father did a lot of gardening for Mr. Arnaz for many, many years. During the summer months, Mr. Arnaz would allow my father to bring my sister and I along and would let us swim in the pool while he grilled burgers and hot dogs. He would send us Christmas and birthday gifts as well. What a sweet, kind and wonderful man. Though I am not Spanish, I will always consider him my abuelo. I still remember him with his linen suit smoking his cigars and sipping on a tom collins like drink while he flipped those burgers. God Bless his kind and gentle spirit. They don't make men like him anymore!

[@debbieleroy8146]

I am glad to hear this, I always liked Desi

[@chenyingwang7336]

Thank you for sharing what a wonderful man Desi was. I feel like a lot ppl r really focusing on his love towards women and booze now but not much ppl and talking about the real gentle soul he had.

[@mikeydouglas9086]

That is so awesome. Any other interesting stories or tid bits you could share? What else do you remember or noticed when you were there??

[@heatherholden559]

that is amazing did you ever see Lucy?

[@smueller77]

What a cool story!

[@aa697]

RIP Desi and Lucy You brought and still continue to bring tremendous joy and laughter to the 🌎 world.

[@BK-ys4pc]

Love this. Desi was/is the most underrated actor/producer ever. Simply the best!

[@andreapena9390]

Only bc he was Cuban 😢

[@virginiaporro7732]

Love hin , great talent and personality, good business man

[@Gforu81]

Apparently he was an a hole too but obviously extremely talented and fascinating. I want to know More

[@francespellagatti3144]

He is a legend.

[@hollybigelow5337]

@@Gforu81 There's truth to that, but the story is more nuanced than that. It sounds like when he was drunk he was nearly impossible to be around, and his father and grandfather also basically raised him to believe that a man has a right to spend as much time with prostitutes as he wants as long as he only cheats physically and never emotionally, and he bought into that completely. But on the other hand, it also sounds like when he wasn't drunk and wasn't cheating he was also incredibly loyal and caring and sweet. When it was needed he could charm writers and sponsors and guest stars to make sure the show survived. In his professional life he is always quick to praise the people around him and downplay his own contribution. He was extremely hard working, protective of the people that he loved, and he was extremely creative and an amazing problem solver and wasn't afraid to take risks when he needed to. Because of his contributions many people were able to stay employed that may not have had a job if he hadn't been so committed to looking out for everyone. None of that excuses the way he treated people when he was drunk or how much he drank or the cheating that he did in his relationship, but some actors and actresses are always jerks. Desi's story is much more nuanced than that. In fact, sadly it sounds like everyone in the cast for "I Love Lucy" could be real jerks. It is a testament to all of their professionalism that they managed to work together for so many years. Lucy didn't have the same drinking problems as Bill Frawley and Desi, and she didn't drink as much as Desi, but from all accounts Desi was a jerk when he was drinking, and perhaps a bit more to the end when his marriage was failing as well, but he wasn't consistently a jerk. Lucy basically really was consistently a jerk, but at the same time she was the real talent, and she also had many times when she had to go to bat for the people around her, including Desi. Like so many people, both Desi and Lucy were incredibly flawed people that were often jerks but that were capable of incredible loyalty and incredible kindness and even humility and also courage in those moments when it really counted.

[@atbragdots8852]

Thanks much! Desi humbly underdtates himself as "just a prop", while he Directed many shows, produced, & owned a Studio company producing Andy Griffith, Lassie & other clean classics. A wonderfully interesting and loveable man, to me.

[@Gforu81]

Agree

[@sirgalahad1376]

And Star Trek

[@greghowell2766]

This is amazing. Desi is a national treasure, and all his charm and wit comes through in this interview. He has a wonderful sparkle in his eyes, especially when he talks about the beautiful women :).

[@mrssmurf55]

Oh thank you for uploading this such a huge admirer of Desi he was an amazing man who never got enough credit!

[@anitastodolak9882]

I could NOT AGREE MORE! DESI ARNAZ WAS AND IS A GENIUS AND WAS NEVER RECOGNIZED FOR IT! If it wasn't for him we would NOT have reruns of I Love Lucy now! He was the first and only person to come up with the idea of the "3 Camera technique.". God bless him and may he rest in peace

[@ellenrico1129]

Idk iou iui

[@calisongbird]

He was a violent alcoholic and chronic philanderer. He constantly violated his marriage vows and publicly humiliated the woman he supposedly loved.

[@jakevendrotti1496]

@@calisongbird Sure, but that's not the complete story of who he was as a person, just like being a youtube commenter isn't the complete story of who you are as a person.

[@rockyracoon3233]

You think the damn Emmys would at least have a two minute segment honoring him!

[@LaughterandJesus]

I love Lucy is one of my favorite shows!!!! Whenever I need help to lift my spirits up. Those characters never disappoint! They are all funny as heck! I always felt Desi represented the world. It’s unrealistic to let the world believe that only one culture exists. He added to that show more than he will ever know. I respect that Lucy wanted her husband to be on the show so that they can be closer.

[@catlady7773]

Regardless of age, he was still very handsome and charming!!!

[@marissathomas9327]

🥺🥺 was a sweet and beautiful man . He might not have been a great husband but you can tell he was a great person . And I think that’s why Lucy loved him until the day she died . I heard when Lucy died , her current husband said , now Lucy can rest and see desi again . 🥺 even he knew . Just a special bond then 2 ♥️

[@jakevendrotti1496]

Really well said. Someone can be a terrific human being, without having to be a terrific spouse. "We have a bad habit of generalizing everything...Most people are *people* ...Sure, there's some good...some lousy...but people are people. If the people of the world could get to know each other better, without each one of our individual governments lousing us up, I think we'd be fine." - Desi Arnaz 14:45

[@rkomgm3932]

I completely agree and you said it well !

[@LJ-ht4zs]

While Desi was a talented man he was a serious addict: sex, booze, gambling. Hard to live with one of the addictions, no less all 3 - took a toll on his marriage, his relationships in general, even his work. He had to sell Desilu to Lucy; he could no longer effectively be in charge of the company.

[@gusa8006]

Well Stated

[@derrickkimmons8785]

That almost brought me to tears when he said his son was his best friend

[@hollingbourne]

Desi was a beautiful human being in anybody's language!!

[@wandagonzalez4407]

LOVE THIS GUY RIP DESI ARNAZ TY FOR UR TALENT 🙏🏽❤️

[@Texasbaubles]

What a beautiful man, I love him and his heritage. He is very interesting and I enjoyed this little piece of history.😁

[@julietrask7497]

A very smart and charming man, I could see why Lucy loved him.

[@George_Tropicana]

Agree. They were both so charismatic and poised. They exude what I think having class means. Their kind hearts were the cherry on top.

[@chars437]

Desi Arnaz, such a likable man.

[@hollingbourne]

adore this happy, sincere, charismatic, brilliantly lovely man ^.^

[@kristenraejohnson]

He never acted conceited. Good natured.

[@donnahatfield6772]

I have a real collector's item! A CD of Desi Arnaz! I bought it in 1989 and it has been a favorite in my collection. Babalu is one of his famous hits that's on it along with Cuban Pete!

[@veronicaisworthy7465]

I wish I could give it a listen ☺️

[@peaceandlove544]

I have it in my Spotify and KZbin playlist list

[@JSB1882]

What he went through in life was amazing that he ended as such an icon of show business. My favorite episodes of "I Love Lucy" were when he would sing. He was an amazing man. This must have been filmed around 1981-1982.

[@kathrynfauble9053]

@Dave La Violette This was video-recorded in January 1982 in the vicinity of Miami, Florida.

[@crmay72]

@@kathrynfauble9053 thank you! I was wondering when this was filmed.

[@danmore2906]

I doubt I Love Lucy would have achieved the level of popularity it had if Desi wasn't on the show. The music and Latin culture that he brought to America on that show couldn't have been duplicated. He truly was an icon.

[@Brandi_Aguilar_Funny_Vlogs]

@@kathrynfauble9053 thanks for this! I figured it was after 1980 judging by Desi’s clothes, but def before 1986 because that’s when he passed away.

[@ianscianablo8507]

@@danmore2906 So true! His imprint is I Love Lucy!

[@iluvlola6439]

Loved these 2! When I was 17 I went off to college, 6 months later came home to finish school living with my parents only to discover they were divorcing. When I went back to college and missed my parents, I turned on “I LOVE LUCY” to keep from feeling homesick! My parents were identical in looks and personality (Dad being a Pisces like Desi) to my parents! 🥰

[@kathrynfauble9053]

This was video-recorded in January 1982 in the vicinity of Miami, Florida.

[@ericpenny5937]

I was not born when I Love Lucy was on TV. But I like Desi & miss seeing him

[@44macymoo]

How I miss him and Lucy and William and Vivian. The world is little less funny without them. 🙂

[@GROOVYJOJO]

Agree!🌻

[@AMBO-zh4xi]

A Lot less Genuine As well!!

[@June-tb4vi]

Thank you..always loved the I Love Lucy Show..💓

[@lisabrown4405]

Excellent interview with MR.RICARDO❤️

[@ramongonzalez2112]

Amazing find. Enlightening interview. His brilliant mind is always churning. Great American success story.👏👏👏

[@Gforu81]

Documentary just on Desi please! He is SO interesting. The ending of the interview is great ...Love how he talks about "labels" and how we are all people and how they never talked about political crap on the show ever.

[@mariacardenas4665]

Love Him And Missed him 😭😭

[@bonniebrown6960]

I was thinking... you know KZbin buffers sometimes just as bad as TV's rolled back then. Anyway , I'm glad you shared this interview. He looks so much like my great grandfather.

[@Alan-yn9fk]

He was so considerate. Friends, staff, everyone spoke very highly of him This interview was particularly nice because there was no mention of the usual tabloid trash that is constantly being dredged up regarding he and Lucy. Thank you for posting this.

[@jadezee6316]

desi was one of the few people who really loved life..loved living....very rare ....

[@laurenbendik2006]

Too bad he didn’t love it enough to stop smoking so he could live longer

[@Gforu81]

I'm not sure about this. Seems like he was stressed and depressed.

[@kaylaleave]

He loves escorts

[@georgealexander141]

He performed with Marco on Late Night with David Letterman.

[@retroguy9494]

Yes he DID! And he was wearing the same jacket then too! LOL

[@janetwatson3713]

Lucy and desi are my idols i have people tell me i am as funny as lucy i have the wole colection of lucy desi show they are both makinggod laugh laughter is a healer when you are sad about something watch i love lucy you will be happy

[@elizabethwilk9615]

He came from an upper class family in Cuba and they lost everything and then he came to the USA without anything and made it.

[@xeero24]

I’m sure you’ll have similar stories of Americans fleeing Brandon and his merry men.

[@Gforu81]

@@xeero24 lol .. unfortunately there aren't many places to go

[@xxcelr8rs]

Do the time line. I love Lucy before Castro. I'm confused on his childhood story.

[@CoolGobyFish]

@@xxcelr8rs never let truth get in a way of a good story)) he probably comes from a poor family, everything he tells is most likely made up. i would have done the same, as this makes it more interesting.

[@MJ-fj9yv]

@@CoolGobyFishnever let ignorance get in a way of logic and proven history, you can simply check out his family history.

[@tonycruz9026]

"I am the King of the Carnival. Do you want to kiss my hand now or later?!!" The King has spoken!! 🙏 🙏😊👑 👑💜💜💜💜

[@fracastro6022]

Thank you Desi, a great CUBANAMERICAN man.

[@rockyracoon3233]

Just shorten it to CubaCan. 😁

[@aaronjackson6273]

He understood the danger of communism.

[@michaelhungate7506]

This man was responsible for so many groundbreaking film techniques that are still used today. Genius. He's smoking a cigar here and Lucille Ball told him for years those dam things will kill him .He died of lung cancer about 4 years after this.

[@datone4730]

Lol if she did tell him that she was one to talk. She smoked too and died from a heart attack

[@dianawardrip5171]

@@datone4730 She did smoke, but died after a 7 hour heart surgery.

[@lo1477]

@@dianawardrip5171 a surgery she likely wouldn’t have needed if she didn’t smoke. They both died early because of smoking

[@dianawardrip5171]

@@lo1477 This is probably true, but most people smoked in those days, Tobacco companies were their sponsors, they smoked in all of the I Love Lucy shows.

[@lo1477]

@@dianawardrip5171 i’m aware.

[@TerryComo2010]

I wish the volume could have been louder.

[@gaiuscaesar365]

Thank you for posting this !

[@jsmcfariii]

Really learned how necessary and how much he meant. He ran the shit.

[@Gforu81]

Guess he wasn't very nice either 🤷

[@scottburton9701]

Desi Arnaz was a class act.

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

Pretty wild that Desi got driven out of Cuba in the 1930s, not the 1950s under Castro. That place was pretty f'd up a long time.

[@George_Tropicana]

Unsolicited info coming up ➡️ I feel proud to say that my birthday is 2 days after Viv’s and 9 days before Lucy’s. I’m right in the middle! 😃 I feel lucky to have been alive at the same time as Lucy. Although it was just 1 year until she passed. ILL ❤ has been my comfort show since I can remember and it always will be 😊

[@Px828]

It would be great to have that album.

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales7218]

Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III (Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, 2 de marzo de 1917 - Del Mar, Estados Unidos, 2 de diciembre de 1986), conocido como Desi Arnaz, fue un actor y músico cubano.

[@Gforu81]

@General Yen I could not agree more! We need a documentary just in him!

[@Julie-ne3sx]

I love Lucy is my favorite comedy, without Desi, it wouldn't be complete

[@rodrios2696]

Dude was brilliant.

[@JaySmith-wo3di]

I've never seen him this age!

[@retroguy9494]

He looked a LOT older than he really was you know. It was all the booze that aged him early.

[@Inaworldoflove]

This is interesting, because on I Love Lucy, he spoke grammatically correct English with English phrasing, here he speaks English with spanish phrasing and some spanish grammatical constructions.

[@Catsrock-u7y]

Viva Cuba 🇨🇺 Libre…. No Al Comunismo….

[@CoolGobyFish]

did Castro put you on that boat to Miami?)))) No necesitamos !!!

[@xxcelr8rs]

Very Brando vibe through latin prism.

[@lesleepoole7515]

Wonderful man

[@Sldumas1983]

The Original OG

[@thumper6425]

💜💜💜 thank you

[@ritaaquilina4961]

never seen this before

[@tonytypesalot]

RIP, Desi. Love you, man. sure wish you could hear me.

[@melindaredick9349]

I miss Desi and Lucy ❤

[@cherylcalac8485]

Loved it!!

[@DallasCityGurl]

His breathing is very wheezy here, he probably had copd by this time. I think I heard he developed lung cancer. Cigars are so much worse than cigarettes because there isn’t a filter.

[@marthay.higuera9723]

Lucy’s second husband, Gary Morton also died of lung cancer, ten years after Lucy died. They were all big smokers back in the day.

[@ChadQuick270W]

Yes. Sadly he died in 1986 at the age of 69. He’s also having some breathing problems on the Letterman Show from March 1983. I don’t mean this in a bad way at all. I’m a smoker and know what it’s likely going to do to me eventually.

[@rockyracoon3233]

Cigars are worse than cigarettes only if you inhaled them which is what Desi did.

[@retroguy9494]

There is no "thinking" about it. Lung cancer is what killed Desi. As far as cigars being much worse than cigarettes, that's simply NOT true on SEVERAL accounts. I'm a former cigarette smoker. The cigarette companies load up the cigarettes with all kinds of nasty chemicals which can create many health issues including different forms of cancer. Cigars, if they are GOOD ones like Desi smoked, are nothing but pure tobacco. If you don't inhale them, and you aren't supposed to because unlike cigarettes, you get the nicotine through the mucus membranes in the mouth as opposed to directly into the lungs, the biggest risk is oral cancer. Same with pipe smoking. If you inhale the cigar, one large cigar is equal to one pack of cigarettes, minus all the chemicals. I know this because even though I stopped cigarettes, I still smoke a pipe (and do NOT inhale) as well as the occasional cigar which I also do not inhale.

[@regannem]

Any Yours, Mine and Ours footage???

[@debbiehall7016]

You got a lot of splain'n to do!!

[@conqueringlion420]

Thanks for doing this number with the King

[@StormyDay]

Oooh, Desi had Grave’s Disease! Never noticed till just now.

[@theshounfiles7898]

what is that

[@dolcevitaslots]

I noticed that too

[@StormyDay]

@@theshounfiles7898 it’s a thyroid disease and it causes a condition called TED that makes your eyes bulge. Susan Sarandon has it. They have a drug for it and they show commercials on TV at the moment.

[@gusa8006]

I wasn't aware

[@cksu1186]

That's what killed him. Still smoking Cigars & Cigarettes. 64 years here. 5 years later he died.

[@jesssands5349]

Wasn't he an alcoholic?

[@cksu1186]

@@jesssands5349 and an adulterer. 🙄

[@laurenbendik2006]

He looks old enough to be my dad’s father here and my dad is 65

[@stardaddyo9]

This guy had some life.

[@x3zack]

am I the only one where my tear socket glands immediately swell because i am so sad they got old and died :(?

[@jacquelineking859]

It's not loud enough

[@aa697]

Pure class.

[@peni1641]

Did he ever did do the Latin American tour?

[@dewgirl101]

Sadly no

[@peni1641]

@@dewgirl101 That's unfortunate, it would have been a great tour.

[@dewgirl101]

@@peni1641 I know right? How incredible would it have been to see Desi live? No matter the age. 🔥

[@peni1641]

@@dewgirl101 CBS/Paramount lost out on alot of money. That concert would have been recorded, they could have aired it on tv & now on streaming sites. Desi & Lucy had their own production company Desilu. It would have been gr8. They already green lighted Star Trek & Mission Impossible.

[@banaco53]

When was this interview?

[@perlaperezgutierrez4761]

I know what Mr.Desi Arnaz fatherand fsmily went through in Cuba with the communist government I love in a Socialist communists country and they do do all that Desi said.

[@davidpadilla9989]

What year was this interview?

[@gusa8006]

The late 80s I think

[@alonzo9772]

His heavy smoking eventually killed him... 😢

[@rockyracoon3233]

He actually inhaled cigars which is something you're never supposed to do.

[@retroguy9494]

@@rockyracoon3233 He DID? I didn't see him inhale. And I've seen several interviews with him when he was smoking a cigar. I do know he preferred his Cuban cigars to cigarettes.

[@julietteyork6293]

He was also an alcoholic. The combo of smoking and booze will do it.

[@Fridelain]

Were they interviewing a vacuum cleaner to the side, or a desk fan?

[@janetclaireSays]

He was a treasure.

[@Becky25270]

I bet he is proud of kids

[@susanhicks4149]

I believe his daughter is a socialist.

[@larrymm1963]

Very awesome interesting.

[@TexasMan77]

What year is this?

[@elizabethharrison7306]

I Love Lucy my favorite one fan Big Seasons DVD 📀 Dolls Jamestown New York Lucy and Desi Museum Love my favorite one fan Big 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖⭐️⭐️🎶🗽

[@scotnick59]

From which year is this?

[@rafaelgomez1989]

Probably early '80s

[@jesssands5349]

1982. Because he mentioned Dorthy Hamill getting married in a week to his godson, which was 1982.

[@scotnick59]

@@jesssands5349 thanks, Jess

[@HelloooThere]

2011

[@not_steve340]

As everyone says, he was so charming and talented. He is only 64 in this interview, but seems older. With all the drinking and smoking, he did not age well and was dead at 69.

[@carlososcarcomedy]

What a career!

[@perlaperezgutierrez4761]

Does anybody know the year of this interview? Desi Arnaz died young at 69.

[@dewgirl101]

This was 1981. The Carnival was March of 1982 and he mentions the record comes out after the first of the year and it was released in 1982.

[@francespellagatti3144]

Listening to Desi Arnaz talk about all that delicious spanish food OMG Im starving and I am 💯%Italian. I wonder if Lucille ever made him any Paella Im not sure if that's how you spell it but sounds as good.😋😛👅 I can see why all the women went crazy for him He was a doll.

[@calisongbird]

“Latin” food

[@HelloooThere]

Heartburn and angina city

[@retroguy9494]

Actually Desi did the cooking when he wanted traditional Spanish dishes. His Chili was somewhat famous among their Hollywood friends when they had get togethers at their ranchero before moving into the big mansion on Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills.

[@HelloooThere]

@@retroguy9494 he would probably get seated alone due to his breath lol

[@retroguy9494]

@@HelloooThere Between the Chili, the cigars and the booze I wouldn't be surprised! LOL But I'm sure he had nothing on my father who loved food like onions, garlic, pickles, etc. That man's breath could knock over a charging Elephant!

[@TheTerminator-n3j]

It stinks I can't put Desi on GOAT 🐐 mountain because of his personal stuff. He was very talented, but Lucy is the GOAT of television without question.

[@harpervalleypeeteeay9708]

Taped in 1982......he was 65

[@saraschneider6781]

Which grandmother was he talking about here? Was she still alive at this point?

[@LJ-ht4zs]

His mother died two years after he died.

[@saraschneider6781]

@@LJ-ht4zs I know this. That's why I didn't mention her.

[@CentralCassBasketball]

too bad they couldn't afford a professional sound engineer

[@ayepweakly3564]

Nice eyes miss...

[@kiaramcghee5501]

He smoked his life away what a shame still.love lucy and desi

[@retroguy9494]

He drank his life away too. Don't let your hatred of smoking deter you from the fact that he was an alcoholic!

[@kiaramcghee5501]

@@retroguy9494 I can't hate on him for being a smoker I smoke cigarettes everyday despite the problems.they had they still showed the meaning of true love

[@retroguy9494]

@@kiaramcghee5501 Yes, they were very much in love until the day he died. She spoke to him a day or 2 before he died when he was too weak to even hold the telephone receiver. She kept telling him "I love you...Desi I love you" according to their daughter who was holding the phone for him. I used to smoke cigarettes myself. I quit 6 years ago. I apologize because I thought you were one of those non smokers or worse yet, EX smokers who tend to blame everything on smoking whilst ignoring the rest!

[@kiaramcghee5501]

@@retroguy9494 I listened to the documentary about them and I heard good things and bad but never the less is was pure love

[@CoolGobyFish]

@@retroguy9494 I don't think they were "in love", but loved and cared for each other like family (which they were).

[@MJ-fj9yv]

Another great Cuban American, Félix Ismael Rodríguez Mendigutia

[@whendis.roberts6817]

Smoking killed him

[@debbiehall7016]

...and drink, and women..

[@retroguy9494]

@miztuhx Yea but at only 69?

[@saraschneider6781]

Did he ever do that Latin American tour?

[@GreaserCentral]

That's a very good question, I don't think he did. I love Lucy was as famous in non English speaking countries. I'm guessing cause the humor was mostly in the Dialogue, instead of more slapstick. I never recall seeing I love lucy dubbed in Spanish, they might have done it after their passing, but till this day, I have yet to see it dubbed in Spanish. 🤷‍♂️ it would gain a lot more fans!

[@JodiSmith-c6r]

I never read or heard anything about Lucy doing anything concerning her cheating or drinking... Only Desi did All that and Lucy actually caught him with another woman... Desi also drank when they were at home too and his attitude changed but I don't know if Desi hit her or not because nothing was ever really mentioned about physical abuse... Anyway it was a shame that All kinds of bad things went on behind the set and William and Vivian never said anything to that fact concerning physical abuse which was a good thing...

[@kimbradley9595]

And she still loved him

[@ginny709]

He was a it drunk here... but loved the interview anyway...sadly that is how we all end up old....

[@toniscalio9621]

Huh?

[@toniscalio9621]

He was not drunk here!!

[@lendrury2771]

Cool guy with a creative sense of humor. Unfortunately he couldn't leave the liquor alone and the cigarettes

[@CarlitaCosmetics]

His looks held up until the end

[@laurenbendik2006]

Really? He looks 80. He didnt live past 68.

[@charlottewinslow4132]

HE STILL LOOKS THE SAME TO ME.

[@HelloooThere]

@@charlottewinslow4132 must be blind

[@datone4730]

He actually looks decent. Just gained a little weight. If he lost weight and dyed his hair black i’m sure he would look his age if not younger

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@laurenbendik2006 Yes, he looks old and worn out.

[@HelloooThere]

He ate a lot of fart food.

[@retroguy9494]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! 😂🤣