America’s favorite funny redhead, Lucille Ball stole the hearts of many throughout her years as Lucy Ricardo on I Love Lucy. But the comedienne’s legacy extends far beyond her role as Ricky’s mischievous wife. Ball began her career in the early 1930s as a model—a blonde model, no less—before becoming the copper-haired actress we all know and love. (Though she’s naturally a brunette!) She rapidly ascended to the rungs of Hollywood fame, not just as an on-screen starlet, but also as a trailblazer in the film industry.
Ball, along with husband Desi Arnaz, formed the first independent television production company, Desilu Productions, and self-produced the pilot episode of I Love Lucy. In order to broadcast live to viewers across the country all at once, Ball and Arnaz pioneered the first use of the three-camera set-up that later became the standard for sitcoms. Desilu was also the first production studio to employ the idea of re-running past episodes, which they did to allow Lucy some time off after the birth of her son. Ball was constantly challenging conventions: she and Arnaz became the first interracial couple on TV, her real-life pregnancy was the first time an expectant woman was openly shown as pregnant on-screen (and not just for a fictional storyline.)
Today, in honor of National “I Love Lucy” Day, we’re looking back at 100 of Lucille Ball’s best, funniest, most glamorous moments. Click through to see them all.