Desi Arnaz - Actor Profile

Desi Arnaz

Acting
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
36Total 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.

Desi Arnaz Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Desi Arnaz reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 36 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Desi Arnaz's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 42% of Desi Arnaz's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains I Love Lucy Christmas Special, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Desi Arnaz Movies Ranked

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

Full Filmography

Every movie Desi Arnaz has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 A Grammy Celebration of Latin Music Self/Ricky Ricardo (archive footage) Flop 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 →
N/A The Lucy-Desi Milton Berle Special - 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 Super 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 36 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", "Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie", and "A Star Is Born World Premiere".

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