At a Glance
- Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s children and grandchildren carry on their Hollywood legacy
- Daughter Lucie Arnaz, 74, and son Desi Arnaz Jr., 72, both pursued entertainment careers
- Grandchildren include Julia, Haley, Simon, Joseph, and Kate, each forging unique paths
- Why it matters: The family’s story shows how fame shaped multiple generations
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s comedic genius lives on through their children and grandchildren. The couple, who married in 1940, built a Hollywood empire while raising two children who would later become parents themselves.
The First Generation: Lucie and Desi Jr.
Lucie Désirée Arnaz arrived on July 17, 1951, six weeks before her mother returned to work on I Love Lucy. Her brother, Desiderio “Desi” Alberto Arnaz Jr., followed 18 months later on January 19, 1953, in a birth that coincided with Lucy Ricardo’s fictional delivery on the show that same night.
Ball experienced two miscarriages before welcoming Lucie. “For me, the birth of a child, it was a miracle,” she told The Washington Star in 1980. “I couldn’t believe it.”
The children grew up in the spotlight. Lucie began performing in garage shows at age 9, leading Ball to build her a stage. At 15, she landed a role as her mother’s on-screen daughter on Here’s Lucy. Desi Jr. started drumming at 4 and formed the band Dino, Desi & Billy at 11.
Lucie’s Path: From Child Star to Mother
After Here’s Lucy ended in 1974, Lucie transitioned to theater, starring in productions like Seesaw and Annie Get Your Gun. During They’re Playing Our Song in 1979, she met fellow actor Laurence Luckinbill.
The couple married in June 1980. Together they welcomed three children:
- Simon Thomas Luckinbill (Dec. 10, 1980): Became an artist, holding his first gallery show in 2014
- Joseph Henry Luckinbill (Dec. 31, 1981): Musician and guitar teacher with six albums
- Katharine “Kate” Désirée Luckinbill (Jan. 11, 1985): Actress turned creative director at Desilu, Too
Lucie won an Emmy in 1993 for producing Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie and received another nomination in 2002 for the I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special.
Desi Jr.’s Journey: Music, Struggles, and Redemption
Desi Jr.’s early fame came with challenges. At 15, he became father to Julia Arnaz with model Susan Callahan-Howe, though he didn’t meet his daughter until she was 20. His relationships included actress Patty Duke and a broken engagement to Liza Minnelli.
In 1979, he married actress Linda Purl, divorcing a year later. Around this time, he faced severe drug abuse issues. “I was dangerously close to the terminal stage,” he told the Los Angeles Times. His father’s advice led him to recovery, and he later helped Desi Sr. get sober using the same program.
Desi Jr. found stability with Amy Laura Bargiel, marrying in 1987. He adopted her daughter Haley and together they restored the Boulder Theatre near Las Vegas. Amy died of cancer in 2015 at 63.
The Grandchildren: Carrying the Torch
Julia Arnaz Massey, 54
Julia didn’t connect with her famous father until age 20 through DNA testing. She became a mother herself in 1989 to Desiree S. Anzalone, who died of breast cancer at 31. Julia, widowed in 2012, now advocates for breast cancer awareness through BCRF.
Haley Arnaz, 49
Desi Jr.’s adopted daughter trained as a ballerina, performing in The Nutcracker. Her mother Amy wrote children’s books based on Haley’s ballet experiences. She maintains a private life, last appearing publicly in 2001.
Simon Thomas Luckinbill, 45
Lucie’s eldest discovered art as self-expression. “I found I had a passion for using color, texture and a hint of fantasy,” he told Coachella Valley Weekly. His first gallery show sold over half his paintings in 90 minutes.
Joseph Henry Luckinbill, 44
The musician built Fathom Studios and plays in progressive funk band Plasm. He became a father in 2019 to Eliza Grace and welcomed son George Anthony in 2021. He’s pursuing his master’s degree in music production from Berklee College of Music.
Katharine “Kate” Désirée Luckinbill-Conner, 41
Kate works as creative director at Desilu, Too, managing her grandparents’ legacy. She gave birth to Jeffrey Dodge Conner in 2019 and continues the family tradition of sharing Oreos and watching Inspector Gadget with her son, just as Ball did with her.
Keeping the Legacy Alive
The family maintains strong bonds despite personal tragedies. Lucie occasionally shares updates about Desi Jr., who “likes to stay a bit ‘undercover,'” as she posted in August 2024. The next generation continues finding their own paths while honoring their famous heritage.
Key Takeaways
- Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s family tree includes five grandchildren with diverse careers
- Their children overcame addiction, loss, and public scrutiny to build their own families
- The grandchildren honor their legacy while forging individual identities outside Hollywood
