Desi Arnaz quotes

Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-American actor, musician, and television producer, most famous for his role as Ricky Ricardo on "I Love Lucy." His innovative work helped shape the early television industry and pioneered the use of multi-camera sitcom filming. He became a beloved entertainer and influential figure in American pop culture. Here are 28 of his quotes:

American people have the ability to laugh at themselves. It is one of the things that makes this country the great country that it is.

Desi Arnaz

One of my biggest problems with comedy was that I did not understand some of the jokes.

Desi Arnaz

Good things do not come easy. The road is lined with pitfalls.

Desi Arnaz

The thing I remember about New York was how little I felt. I arrived with one small bag and $15.

Desi Arnaz

Joe McCarthy and his Senate hearings were like witch-hunts.

Desi Arnaz

Failure is the most terrible thing in our business. When we fail, the whole world knows about it.

Desi Arnaz

An actor who is good at comedy can also be very good at drama, but not necessarily vice versa.

Desi Arnaz

Since I was very young I have always worked hard at whatever I have had to do.

Desi Arnaz

The success of I Love Lucy is something that happens only once in a lifetime, if you are fortunate enough to have it happen at all.

Desi Arnaz

My Latin temper blows up pretty fast, but it goes down just as fast. Maybe that's why you seldom hear of ulcers in Latin America.

Desi Arnaz

Drinking intensifies all your pressures and your needs.

Desi Arnaz

I learned a lot in those first years in Miami, while struggling just for survival, by observing my father's fortitude.

Desi Arnaz

A single prop that does not look real to an audience can louse you up. The same is true of the smallest flaw in setting up the motivation in a story line.

Desi Arnaz

Al Jolson was one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.

Desi Arnaz

Motion-picture studio floors used to be all wooden and not smooth at all. This was difficult when moving a camera around on a dolly.

Desi Arnaz

I learned a lot from Xavier Cugat.

Desi Arnaz

The way the Army does things is sometimes a little strange.

Desi Arnaz

Nobody bats 500. We all make mistakes.

Desi Arnaz

I don't think anyone can tell you what it is that makes you a star.

Desi Arnaz

Making a television show is not like making Coca-Cola or Bacardi rum. The human element in our business prevents us from finding a successful formula every time.

Desi Arnaz

I had started calling her Lucy shortly after we met; I didn't like the name Lucille. That's how our television show was called I Love Lucy, not Lucille.

Desi Arnaz

Lucy and I would love furiously and fight furiously.

Desi Arnaz