Desi Arnaz Net Worth - Pulptastic
Sarah Rodriguez
Published Apr 10, 2026
What was Desi Arnaz’s net worth?
Desi Arnaz: Cuban-American Actor and Producer
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-American musician, actor, and television producer who passed away in December 1986 at the age of 69. He had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death.
Acting Career
Arnaz is best known for playing the role of Ricky Ricardo on the television series “I Love Lucy” with his wife Lucille Ball. He also starred as Ricardo in the series “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” from 1957 to 1960.
Music Career
In addition to acting, Arnaz led his Latin music band the Desi Arnaz Orchestra.
Producing Career
As part of Desilu Productions with Ball, Arnaz executive produced several TV series including “I Love Lucy,” “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour,” “The Lucy Show,” and “The Mothers-In-Law.” He won a Golden Globe Award in 1956 for Best TV Show.
Personal Life
Desi Arnaz was married to Lucille Ball from 1940 to 1960 and then married Edith Mack Hirsch. He passed away on December 2, 1986 from lung cancer.
Desi and Lucille’s Business Ventures
Desi and Lucille formed Desilu Productions in 1950 to produce their vaudeville act. Desi handled the business side of the company while Lucille took care of artistic and creative decisions. Desi’s decision to request a season’s worth of production costs for the first episode turned out to be extremely profitable as the show was cheap to produce.
Desi’s shrewdest business deal was when he demanded that the show use film instead of kinescope when syndicated. He and Lucille took a pay cut but demanded to own the physical film prints and re-broadcast rights, which eventually earned them an enormous fortune. In 1957, CBS bought back the show’s 180 episodes for $4.5 million, and Lucille and Desi used the money to purchase RKO Studios.
Desilu went on to produce a number of hit shows like “The Untouchables” and “The Andy Griffith Show.” They took Desilu public in 1958. After their divorce, Lucille bought Desi’s shares in the company. Under Lucille’s leadership, Desilu green-lit “Star Trek” and “Mission Impossible.” In 1967, Lucille sold Desilu to Gulf+Western for $17 million, which eventually became Paramount Studios.
Desi Arnaz’s Early Life and Career
Desi Arnaz was born into a prominent Cuban family and showed a love for music and show business from a young age. His family lost their fortune during the Cuban Revolution and fled to Miami in 1933. Desi continued to pursue his musical interests, playing in local nightclubs and eventually landing a job as a drummer in Xavier Cugat’s orchestra, which helped him gain valuable experience in the music industry.
Desi Arnaz’s Path to Success
In 1939, Desi Arnaz landed a role in the Broadway musical “Too Many Girls,” where he met his future wife, Lucille Ball. Despite struggling to break into Hollywood, Desi continued to work in theater and music. It wasn’t until 1951 that his fortunes changed when he and Lucille created their own production company, Desilu Productions, which produced the hit TV show “I Love Lucy.”
“I Love Lucy” Breaks Ground for Hispanic Representation on TV
The iconic sitcom “I Love Lucy” premiered in 1951 and quickly became a sensation. The show starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as a married couple and was filmed in front of a live studio audience. It featured a unique blend of comedy, music, and slapstick humor.
Desi Arnaz’s character, Ricky Ricardo, was a Cuban bandleader who often played music on the show and spoke in both English and Spanish. This portrayal was groundbreaking for Hispanic representation on American television and helped to break down barriers for Latino actors in Hollywood.
“I Love Lucy” ran for six seasons and was one of the most popular TV shows of its time. It established Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball as two of the most beloved figures in American entertainment history.
Desi Arnaz’s Career After “I Love Lucy”
After “I Love Lucy” ended in 1957, Desi Arnaz continued his career in television and film. He starred in “The Desi Arnaz Show” in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and also made appearances on other TV shows and movies.
Aside from acting, Desi was also a talented musician. He recorded multiple albums throughout his career and even performed his classic song “Babalu” on an episode of “The Simpsons” in 1992.
Desi Arnaz’s Personal Life and Death
Desi Arnaz’s personal life was tumultuous, with his marriage to Lucille Ball often plagued by infidelity and other problems. The couple divorced in 1960 but remained close friends until Desi’s death.
Desi Arnaz was survived by two children, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Lucie Arnaz. He died on December 2, 1986, from lung cancer at the age of 69.
