She had the gift of gab and could make everyone laugh until they cried but Lucille Ball's own life was anything but a laughing matter. Lucille Ball was a beloved actress and her show I Love Lucy still airs on various cable networks today proving that her legacy continues to be making other people laugh and smile.

Lucille Ball was born in 1911 in New York. Her father worked for the Bell Telephone Company. He died while Lucille's mother was pregnant with her younger brother Frederick.

Lucille's grandfather loved the theatre and encouraged Lucille to take part in theatrical opportunities at school. Lucille eventually enrolled at the John Murray Anderson School for the Dramatic Arts which was located in New York City. With theatre classes opposite of Bette Davis, Ball didn't appear to have as much to offer an audience and her instructor told her as much.

Lucille began working for a clothing designer and became a recognizable Chesterfield Girl working as a fashion model. Beginning her acting career on Broadway, Lucille's career milestones seemed to allow her to move forward a few steps and then back up a few. She was fired almost immediately from her first opportunity for the Broadway stage.

In the 1930s, Ball took some secondary roles and bit parts in various films. She later signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1940 era but she didn't gain instant success as she'd hoped. The big screen didn't love her like they loved her lifelong friend; Ginger Rogers and Lucille quickly owned the title of "Queen of the B's" which wasn't the most glamorous label to endure since it referred to the B-movies where Ball realized success.

1948 brought with it a career high when CBS Radio contracted Ball for a role in My Favorite Husband. She played the hilarious wife that would eventually lead her to the role she gained in I Love Lucy.

Lucille Ball's daughter complained of her mother's controlling nature which may have even been a contributing factor in her rocky relationship with Desi Arnaz. However, even up until Arnaz's death, the couple remained friends even after their divorce. Arnaz, the love of Lucille's life, died in 1987 and Ball died in 1989.Lucile Ball won four Emmy Awards during her lifetime and secured numerous nominations.