Desi Arnaz Jr.: The Legacy Of A Hollywood Icon

How Much Is Desi Arnaz Jr. Worth Today?

Desi Arnaz Jr., the renowned American actor, musician, and producer, boasts a net worth of $40 million. Born into a family that's practically royalty in the entertainment world, Desi Arnaz Jr. is the son of the legendary actors Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. He carved his own niche in the industry, making a name for himself beyond the shadow of his famous parents. Over the years, Desi has been a part of more than 30 acting projects. His impressive filmography includes notable films like "Marco" (1973), "Billy Two Hats" (1974), "Joyride" (1977), "A Wedding" (1978), and "The Mambo Kings" (1992). He’s also lent his talents to TV movies such as "Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones" (1971), "She Lives!" (1973), and "Gridlock" (1980). Additionally, he played a key role in the television series "The Lucy Show" (1962–1965), "The Mothers-In-Law" (1967–1968), and "Automan" (1983–1984). Beyond acting, Desi Arnaz Jr. has also executive produced significant projects, including the 2001 "I Love Lucy's 50th Anniversary Special" and the acclaimed 2021 Amazon Prime Video film "Being the Ricardos," which featured Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem and received three Academy Award nominations. Not to mention, he has been actively involved with Jamestown, New York's Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Center, where he served as the vice president of the board of directors from 2002 to 2007.

From Birth to Stardom: The Early Life of Desi Arnaz Jr.

Desi Arnaz Jr., whose full name is Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV, was born on January 19, 1953, in Los Angeles, California. His parents, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, were already stars of the iconic CBS sitcom "I Love Lucy," and Desi's arrival was even woven into the storyline of the show. This made him a part of pop culture history before he could even walk or talk. In fact, Desi and his mother graced the cover of the first-ever issue of "TV Guide," with a headline declaring him "Lucy's $50,000,000 baby" due to the advertising revenue his birth was expected to generate. Interestingly, on "I Love Lucy," the character Little Ricky was portrayed by Richard Keith, who became a close family friend and taught young Desi how to play the drums. By the time Desi was 12, he was already making waves in the music world as the drummer for the band Dino, Desi, & Billy, alongside Billy Hinsche and Dean Martin's son, Dean Paul Martin. The band enjoyed success with hits like "I'm a Fool," which reached No. 17 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart, and "Not the Lovin' Kind," which peaked at No. 25. Desi attended University High School, setting the stage for a life of continued creativity and achievement.

Desi Arnaz Jr.'s Journey Through Hollywood

Early TV Appearances and Breakthrough Roles

Desi Arnaz Jr.'s career in television began early, with an uncredited role as a "Spectator at Unveiling" in a 1957 episode of "I Love Lucy." This was just the beginning of his long and storied career. From 1962 to 1965, Desi appeared in six episodes of "The Lucy Show," further cementing his presence on the small screen. Between 1968 and 1974, he co-starred with his mother and sister on the beloved sitcom "Here's Lucy," playing the character Craig Carter in 60 of the show's 144 episodes. Additionally, from 1967 to 1968, he made appearances on the NBC sitcom "The Mothers-in-Law," which was produced by his father, Desi Arnaz. His guest roles expanded to include popular shows like "The Brady Bunch" (1970), "Love, American Style" (1971), "The Mod Squad" (1971), "Night Gallery" (1971), "Medical Story" (1975), "Medical Center" (1975), "The Streets of San Francisco" (1976), "Police Story" (1976), "Fantasy Island" (1978), and "The Love Boat" (1978). His feature film debut came in 1971 with "Red Sky at Morning," and that same year he starred as Bo Jo Jones in the TV movie "Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones," further showcasing his versatility as an actor.

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Feature Films and Continued Success

Desi's film career took off in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1973, he portrayed Marco Polo in the film "Marco," and went on to appear in several TV movies such as "She Lives!" (1973), "Voyage of the Yes" (1973), "Having Babies" (1976), "Black Market Baby" (1977), "Flight to Holocaust" (1977), "How to Pick Up Girls!" (1978), "The Courage and the Passion" (1978), "To Kill a Cop" (1978), and "Crisis in Mid-Air" (1979). He played the title role in the 1974 film "Billy Two Hats" and co-starred with Robert Carradine and Melanie Griffith in the 1977 film "Joyride." In 1978, Desi starred in the satirical film "A Wedding" alongside Carol Burnett, Mia Farrow, Lillian Gish, and Lauren Hutton. The 1980s saw Desi appear in TV movies like "Gridlock" (1980), "Advice to the Lovelorn" (1981), and "The Night the Bridge Fell Down" (1983), as well as guest appearances on shows like "Matlock" (1987). He also starred as Walter Nebicher on the ABC superhero series "Automan" from 1983 to 1984. Desi co-starred in the crime comedy "Fake-Out" (1982) with Pia Zadora and Telly Savalas, and in the horror-comedy "House of the Long Shadows" (1983) alongside Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and John Carradine.

Later Projects and Continued Legacy

Desi Arnaz Jr. continued to contribute to the world of entertainment well into the 1990s and beyond. In 1992, he portrayed his father in the film "The Mambo Kings," based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" by Oscar Hijuelos. In 1998, Desi began touring with a new version of his band, Dino, Desi & Billy, now called Ricci, Desi & Billy, following the passing of Dean Paul Martin in 1987. His younger brother Ricci took Dean's place in the band. In 2010, Desi appeared in the TV movie "Aunt Heather's Magical Kidchen." He also featured in the 2022 Amazon Prime Video documentary "Lucy and Desi," directed by Amy Poehler, which earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, further solidifying his legacy as a vital figure in the entertainment industry.

Desi Arnaz Jr.'s Personal Life: Love, Family, and Challenges

Desi Arnaz Jr.'s personal life has been as colorful and eventful as his career. He has a daughter named Julia, born in 1968, from a teenage relationship with model Susan Callahan-Howe. At the age of 23, he dated 17-year-old actress Patty Duke, but his mother, Lucille Ball, disapproved of the relationship. When Patty became pregnant, writer/music producer Michael Tell stepped in and offered to marry her. The marriage lasted less than two weeks, and although Patty initially told her son, Sean Astin, that Desi was his biological father, genetic tests later revealed that Michael was actually the father. Desi also dated Liza Minnelli and even accompanied her to the 1973 Academy Awards. In January 1980, he married actress Linda Purl, but their marriage ended in December 1981. On October 8, 1987, Desi married Amy Bargiel and adopted her daughter, Haley. The couple resided in Boulder City, Nevada, and in 1997, Desi purchased the Boulder Theatre, converting it from a movie theater to a live theater venue. After the conversion, Desi and Amy frequently directed performances by the Boulder City Ballet Company at the theater. Tragically, Amy passed away from cancer in 2015.

Recognitions and Honors: Desi Arnaz Jr.'s Awards

Desi Arnaz Jr.'s contributions to the entertainment industry have not gone unnoticed. In 1972, he was honored with a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male. In 2002, he earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Class Program for his work on the "I Love Lucy's 50th Anniversary Special," which he shared with fellow producers Lucie Arnaz, Gary Smith, Fred A. Rappoport, and Dann Netter. These accolades stand as a testament to his enduring impact and influence in Hollywood.