Desi Arnaz - Actor Profile

Desi Arnaz

Acting
Freshness: Jan 21, 2026
35Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 2, 1917
Birth Place: Santiago, Cuba

About Desi Arnaz

Desi Arnaz (March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986) was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy, starring with then-wife Lucille Ball.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Desi Arnaz reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 35 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of Desi Arnaz's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 46% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Desi Arnaz remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in I Love Lucy Christmas Special, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Desi Arnaz Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Desi Arnaz's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Desi Arnaz.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2025 Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2022 Lucy and Desi Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2020 My Darling Vivian Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2016 I Love Lucy Christmas Special Ricky Super Hit Similar →
2011 Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored Ricky Ricardo (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2005 Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards Manuelito (segment "Too Many Girls") (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2004 Judy Garland: By Myself Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2000 Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
1999 Television: The First Fifty Years Ricky Ricardo (archive footage) Flop Similar →
1997 The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1 - Super Hit Similar →
1993 Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie Self Super Hit Similar →
1983 Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1982 The Escape Artist Mayor Leon Quiñones Average Similar →
1976 CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years Self Hit Similar →
1976 Salsa Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
1976 Joys Self Flop Similar →
1975 Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television (archive footage) Flop Similar →
1960 The Man in the Funny Suit Self - Host Flop Similar →
1956 The Bob Hope Chevy Show Fred Mertz Flop Similar →
1956 Forever, Darling Lorenzo Xavier 'Larry' Vega Hit Similar →
1956 Lucy's Really Lost Moments Ricky Ricardo Hit Similar →
1954 A Star Is Born World Premiere Self Super Hit Similar →
1954 The Long, Long Trailer Nicky Collini Hit Similar →
1953 I Love Lucy: The Movie Ricky Ricardo Hit Similar →
1949 Holiday in Havana Carlos Estrada Flop Similar →
1946 Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra Self Flop Similar →
1946 Cuban Pete Desi Arnaz Flop Similar →
1943 Bataan Felix Ramirez Average Similar →
1942 The Navy Comes Through Pat Tarriba Average Similar →
1942 Four Jacks and a Jill Steve Sarto / King Stephan VIII of Aregal Average Similar →
1941 Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 - Average Similar →
1941 Father Takes a Wife Carlos Bardez Average Similar →
1940 Too Many Girls Manuelito Lynch Average Similar →

Desi Arnaz - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Desi Arnaz?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Desi Arnaz is "I Love Lucy Christmas Special" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Desi Arnaz acted in?

Desi Arnaz has been featured in at least 35 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Desi Arnaz?

Other notable films include "The Funny World of Lucy, Volume 1", "A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music", and "Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie".