Net Worth Ranker
What Is Desi Arnaz’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in December 1986, Desi Arnaz, the multifaceted Cuban-American musician, actor, and television producer, had a net worth of $20 million. This figure reflects his successful career in entertainment, spanning music, television acting, and production ventures.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Santiago de Cuba in March 1917, Desi Arnaz’s early life took a dramatic turn when his family’s fortunes were lost during the Cuban Revolution. In 1933, they fled to Miami, where Desi began to pursue his passion for music. He honed his skills playing in local nightclubs. Details regarding specific addresses of these early performances are not publicly available. His talent led him to a role as a drummer in Xavier Cugat’s orchestra, providing him with invaluable experience in the music industry. Unfortunately, specific contract details from his time with Cugat’s orchestra remain undisclosed.
Desi’s breakthrough came in 1939 with a role in the Broadway musical “Too Many Girls.” While the exact financial details of his contract for “Too Many Girls” are not publicly accessible, the show’s success significantly boosted his career. It was during this production that he met Lucille Ball. Following “Too Many Girls,” Desi continued his work in theater and music, but faced challenges breaking into Hollywood. His appearances in films during the 1940s did not achieve widespread recognition. Specific revenue figures from these early film roles are not publicly documented.
The Rise of “I Love Lucy” and Desilu Productions
The turning point in Desi Arnaz’s career arrived in 1951 with the creation of Desilu Productions, a company he co-founded with Lucille Ball. The company was initially formed to produce their vaudeville act, and the details of their early vaudeville act income cannot be explicitly stated due to lack of information. Desilu’s first major venture was the television series “I Love Lucy,” which premiered on CBS in October 1951. This show became a phenomenon, and its influence on the television industry is still felt today.
“I Love Lucy” broke new ground in several ways. It was one of the first sitcoms filmed in front of a live studio audience. It also utilized a multi-camera setup, which allowed for more dynamic and engaging scenes. Desi Arnaz’s character, Ricky Ricardo, was a Cuban bandleader, which was a groundbreaking representation of a Hispanic character on American television. His character was a bandleader who frequently played music on the show, speaking both English and Spanish.
One of Desi Arnaz’s most significant contributions to “I Love Lucy” and the television industry was his insistence on using film for syndication. Despite initial resistance from studio executives due to the cost, Desi argued that film would preserve the show’s quality and ensure its longevity. To make it happen, he and Lucille took a pay cut. Desi also stipulated that he and Lucille would retain ownership of the physical film prints, granting them the rights to rebroadcast the show. In 1957 CBS bought back the rights to the show’s 180 episodes for $4.5 million. That’s the same as $40 million today.
This decision proved to be incredibly lucrative. The show became the most popular syndicated program in history, earning Desi and Lucille an enormous fortune. Exact annual syndication revenue figures from “I Love Lucy” are not publicly disclosed, but industry experts consider it one of the shrewdest business deals in television history.
Beyond “I Love Lucy,” Desilu Productions produced a string of successful television shows, including “The Untouchables,” “The Ann Sothern Show,” and “Sheriff of Cochise”. Their lot was also the production home of “The Dick Van Dyke Show”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, and “My Three Sons”. Exact financial figures for Desilu’s earnings from “The Untouchables”, “The Ann Sothern Show”, and “Sheriff of Cochise” are not publicly available, but they were all successful series that contributed to the company’s revenue.
In 1957, Desilu paid $6 million for RKO Studios and its 14-acre movie lot. In 1958, Desilu went public with over 800 employees and more than $20 million in annual revenue. Specific details regarding the initial stock price and subsequent trading activity of Desilu Productions are not available in the provided text.
Post-“I Love Lucy” Ventures and Desilu Sale
Following his divorce from Lucille Ball in 1960, Desi Arnaz continued to be involved in television production. In 1962, Lucille bought Desi’s shares in their company for $2.5 million, equivalent to around $20 million today. Lucille continued to leverage the company, green-lighting projects such as Gene Roddenberry’s “Star Trek” and “Mission Impossible”. Details regarding the specific financial terms of the “Star Trek” and “Mission Impossible” production deals are not publicly accessible. In 1967 Lucille Ball sold Desilu to Gulf+Western for $17 million, equivalent to $130 million today.
Awards and Recognition
Desi Arnaz received a Golden Globe Award in 1956 for Best TV Show. In 1960, he was awarded stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for both Motion Picture and Television. The specific locations of his stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame are not provided.
Personal Life and Final Years
Desi Arnaz was married to Lucille Ball from 1940 to 1960, and their relationship was often tumultuous. He later married Edith Mack Hirsch. Desi Arnaz passed away on December 2, 1986, at the age of 69, from lung cancer.
