Net Worth Ranker
What Is Lucie Arnaz’s Net Worth?
Lucie Arnaz, a multifaceted American entertainer known for her accomplishments as an actress, singer, and producer, boasts a net worth of $20 million. This financial standing reflects her extensive career spanning television, film, and the stage. As the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Lucie has carved her own path in the entertainment industry, building upon her family’s legacy.
Early Career and Television Appearances
Lucie Arnaz’s early exposure to television came through appearances on her mother’s popular shows, “The Lucy Show” (1962–1968) and “Here’s Lucy” (1968–1974). On “Here’s Lucy”, she appeared in 144 episodes as Kim Carter, securing a steady salary and valuable on-screen experience. While specific salary figures for these early roles are not publicly available, such consistent work would have provided a solid foundation for her future financial success. During the 1970s, Lucie guest-starred in episodes of “The Sixth Sense” (1972), “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” (1972), “Marcus Welby, M.D.” (1975), and “Fantasy Island” (1978) before starring in the 1975 TV movie “Who Is the Black Dahlia?”. These roles diversified her resume and broadened her audience appeal.
In 1985, Lucie headlined her own CBS sitcom, “The Lucie Arnaz Show.” Though the show was short-lived, it provided her with a starring role and likely a significant salary for that period. Subsequently, she played Tess Hammersmith in the CBS series “Sons and Daughters” in 1991. These TV appearances, coupled with guest roles in series like “Murder, She Wrote” (1988), “Law & Order” (2003), and “Will & Grace” (2020), contributed to her consistent income stream over the years. The specifics of her earnings from each guest appearance vary, but collectively, they represent a substantial portion of her career earnings.
Film Roles and Accolades
Lucie Arnaz has also made notable appearances in films, starting with “Billy Jack Goes to Washington” in 1977. However, it was her role in “The Jazz Singer” (1980) that garnered significant attention, earning her a Golden Globe nomination. The exact salary she received for “The Jazz Singer” is not public knowledge, but a Golden Globe-nominated role in a major film would have been a lucrative engagement. Other film credits include “Second Thoughts” (1983), “Down to You” (2000), and “Smoking Nonsmoking” (2011). Though not all of these roles were leading ones, they added to her overall income and contributed to her reputation as a versatile performer.
Her nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture at the Golden Globes for “The Jazz Singer” in 1981 highlights the critical acclaim she received for her film work. In 2008, for her role in “Smoking Nonsmoking”, Lucie was named Best Actress at the Wildwood Film Festival and received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Hoboken International Film Festival. These accolades, while not directly translating into immediate financial gains, enhanced her industry standing and opened doors for future opportunities. In 1975, Arnaz earned a Photoplay Award nomination for Favorite Female Star. While not a win, the nomination recognized her growing popularity and appeal to audiences.
Broadway Career and Theater Awards
Lucie Arnaz has had a successful career on Broadway, starring in productions like “They’re Playing Our Song” (1979–1980), “Lost in Yonkers” (1992), “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (2006), and “Pippin” (2014). Her role in “They’re Playing Our Song” was particularly significant, earning her a Theatre World Award and an Outer Critics Circle Special Award, as well as a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. Lead roles in Broadway productions can command substantial salaries, particularly for performers with established names. While the exact figures for Arnaz’s Broadway salaries are not public, it can be estimated that each long-running engagement contributed significantly to her overall net worth.
The Theatre World Award and Outer Critics Circle Special Award for “They’re Playing Our Song” in 1980, coupled with the Drama Desk Award nomination, marked a significant achievement in her career. These accolades not only recognized her talent but also increased her visibility and marketability within the industry. Her presence in “Lost in Yonkers,” which ran for an extended period, further solidified her reputation as a bankable stage performer. The salaries for Broadway performers vary widely depending on the role, the show’s success, and the performer’s experience, but it’s reasonable to assume that Lucie Arnaz earned substantial income from these engagements.
Producing Ventures
Lucie Arnaz has also worked extensively as a producer, contributing significantly to her income. She served as a producer on the TV movies “Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie” (1993) and “The Desilu Story” (2003), the TV special “I Love Lucy’s 50th Anniversary Special” (2001), and the Amazon Studios film “Being the Ricardos” (2021). Producing credits often come with a percentage of the profits, in addition to an upfront fee. “Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie” won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Special in 1993, an accolade that further enhanced her reputation as a producer. Likewise, “I Love Lucy’s 50th Anniversary Special” garnered a nomination for Outstanding Special Class Program in 2002, demonstrating her ongoing success in producing television specials.
Her role as executive producer on “Being the Ricardos” was particularly noteworthy, as the film received over 60 award nominations, including three Academy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations. The film’s success not only brought critical acclaim but also financial rewards, with Lucie likely receiving a share of the profits as an executive producer. Nicole Kidman’s Golden Globe win for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in the film further amplified the film’s success and Lucie’s reputation as a producer. Exact figures for her earnings from producing ventures are not publicly available, but it is plausible that these projects contributed significantly to her $20 million net worth.
Real Estate Investments
Lucie Arnaz’s real estate investments have also played a role in her financial portfolio. From 2007 to 2013, Arnaz and her husband, Laurence Luckinbill, owned a 5,207 square foot home in Weston, Connecticut. In September 2023, this five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom home was listed for sale at $1.99 million. The house, built in 1980, features a home office, chef’s kitchen, wet bar, gym, and media room, as well as a swimming pool on the two-acre property. The purchase and sale of such a property would have involved significant capital, and any profit from the sale would have contributed to her overall net worth. The initial purchase price of the Weston home is not publicly available, making it difficult to determine the exact profit made from its sale, but the listing price provides some insight into the value of her real estate holdings. It is important to note that real estate values fluctuate, and the final sale price may have differed from the initial listing price.
Personal Life and Marital History
Lucie Arnaz’s personal life has seen its share of transitions, each potentially impacting her financial circumstances. She married Phil Vandervort on July 17, 1971, and divorced in 1977. On June 22, 1980, she married actor Laurence Luckinbill. The couple has three children: Katharine, Joseph, and Simon. She is also stepmother to Benjamin and Nicholas, Laurence’s sons from his previous marriage. Details of any financial settlements related to her divorce from Phil Vandervort are not publicly available. However, her long-term marriage to Laurence Luckinbill suggests a stable financial partnership that likely contributed to the growth of her net worth over the years. The costs associated with raising a family, including education and healthcare, would have been significant, but her successful career has allowed her to provide a comfortable life for her children.
It’s worth noting that in a community property state, assets acquired during a marriage are typically considered jointly owned, meaning that both partners have a claim to them in the event of a divorce. However, since no details of any divorce settlements are available, it’s difficult to assess the precise impact of her marital history on her net worth. Her current marital status, combined with her ongoing career success, suggests that she continues to manage her finances effectively and maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
Awards and Nominations Details
Lucie Arnaz’s awards and nominations provide further insight into her career accomplishments. Her Primetime Emmy win for Outstanding Informational Special for “Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie” in 1993 and her nomination for Outstanding Special Class Program for “I Love Lucy’s 50th Anniversary Special” in 2002 highlight her success as a producer. The Emmy win, in particular, would have significantly enhanced her industry standing and opened doors for future producing opportunities. Her Golden Globe nomination for “The Jazz Singer” in 1981 further solidifies her reputation as a talented actress. The Photoplay Award nomination for Favorite Female Star in 1975 underscores her early appeal to audiences. These accolades, while not directly contributing to her net worth in a tangible way, enhanced her career prospects and increased her earning potential.
Lucie Arnaz’s Net Worth: Summary
In summary, Lucie Arnaz’s $20 million net worth is a result of her long and varied career in entertainment. From her early television appearances on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy” to her Broadway performances, film roles, and producing ventures, she has consistently worked and earned income. While the specific details of her earnings from each project are not always publicly available, it is clear that her talent, hard work, and strategic career choices have allowed her to build a substantial financial portfolio. Her real estate investments and personal life choices have also played a role in shaping her net worth. Lucie Arnaz continues to be an active and respected figure in the entertainment industry, and her net worth is likely to remain stable or even grow in the future.
