The Arnaz Family Legacy: A Look at Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s Children and Grandchildren
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s iconic legacy continues to thrive through their children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., as well as their grandchildren: Julia, Haley, Simon, Joseph, and Kate. The couple’s journey to parenthood began in 1951 with the birth of their daughter Lucie Désirée Arnaz, followed by their son Desiderio “Desi” Alberto Arnaz Jr. in 1953. Their family story is filled with both joy and hardship, as the couple navigated the highs of fame while dealing with personal challenges.
Lucie Arnaz: The Trailblazer
Lucie Désirée Arnaz was born on July 17, 1951, six weeks before her mother began working on I Love Lucy. Lucie has often described her childhood as being filled with the hustle and bustle of her parents’ busy careers. “My mom was a working mom,” Lucie told The Desert Sun in 2018, recalling how her parents were often away, especially when she was young. Lucie was aware of her parents’ deep desire for a family, something they both cherished after facing difficulties, including Lucille’s two miscarriages in the early years of their marriage.
Despite the challenges of their divorce in 1960, Lucie shared that her parents maintained a loving relationship until their respective deaths in 1989 and 1986. She went on to forge a successful career in show business, following in her parents’ footsteps. Starting at the age of 9, she began staging performances for her family, prompting her mother to build her a stage. Lucie’s talent blossomed through high school productions, eventually leading her to roles in television and theater.
At 15, Lucie joined Here’s Lucy, playing her mother’s on-screen daughter, Kim Carter, and was later offered roles on Broadway, with performances in Seesaw, Annie Get Your Gun, and They’re Playing Our Song. She married Laurence Luckinbill in 1980 and went on to have three children: Simon Thomas Luckinbill, Joseph Henry Luckinbill, and Katharine “Kate” Désirée Luckinbill. Lucie’s own career flourished with notable roles in film and television, including a Golden Globe nomination for The Jazz Singer and an Emmy win for the 1993 biopic Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie. She continues to honor her family’s legacy with ongoing projects such as recording audiobooks of herparents’ autobiographies.
Desi Arnaz Jr.: Musician, Actor, and Family Man
Born on January 19, 1953, Desiderio “Desi” Alberto Arnaz Jr. was a figure of public fascination from the moment he was born, particularly after appearing with his mother on the cover of TV Guide at just 2 months old. While many fans mistakenly believed he was born during the famous I Love Lucy episode where Lucy Ricardo gave birth to her fictional son, Little Ricky, Desi Jr. later clarified that he was born the morning of the episode’s airing.
Desi Jr. pursued a career in music early on, joining the rock band Dino, Desi & Billy at the age of 11. The group, which included Dean Martin’s son, Dean Paul Martin, had notable success, opening for acts like The Beach Boys. Desi Jr. also appeared alongside his mother and sister on Here’s Lucy and starred in films like Red Sky at Morning, earning a Golden Globe nomination.
Desi Jr.’s personal life was often in the spotlight, from his brief engagement to Liza Minnelli to his relationships with actress Linda Purl and model Susan Callahan-Howe, with whom he had a daughter, Julia Arnaz. After struggling with addiction, Desi Jr. turned his life around and later met his wife, Amy Laura Bargiel, whom he married in 1987. The couple adopted Amy’s daughter, Haley, and had a daughter together, whom they named Desiree. Tragically, Amy passed away in 2015, and Desi Jr. has since found solace in his family and music. He has also worked as an executive producer on several documentaries about his parents, including the I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special and Being the Ricardos.
The Next Generation: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s Grandchildren
Lucie and Desi Jr.’s children have kept their famous family’s creative spirit alive in their own ways.
Julia Arnaz Massey (54), Desi Jr.’s daughter from his relationship with Susan Callahan-Howe, only learned about her biological father when she was 20 years old through a DNA test. After the confirmation, she reconnected with Desi Jr., building a meaningful relationship. Julia has faced great personal loss, including the death of her mother, her daughter Desiree (who passed away from breast cancer at just 31), and her husband Tim, who tragically drowned in 2012. Despite the hardships, Julia has used her experiences to advocate for breast cancer awareness through her work with BCRF.
Haley Arnaz (48), Desi Jr.’s adopted daughter from his marriage to Amy, is a private individual who grew up as a ballerina. While she has remained out of the public eye for most of her adult life, Haley’s love for ballet has left a lasting impact, as her late mother Amy wrote a series of children’s books about her. Haley’s story reflects the family’s deep artistic roots, though her public appearances have been few.
Simon Thomas Luckinbill (44), the son of Lucie and Laurence, has pursued a career in the arts, with a particular passion for painting. Simon held his first solo art exhibition in 2014, and his works have been showcased in multiple galleries. Known for his introspective approach to art, Simon has built a name for himself as a talented and unique artist, using his experiences and imagination to create vivid, fantasy-inspired works. His mother has expressed immense pride in his achievements, sharing heartfelt tributes to him on social media.
Joseph Henry Luckinbill (43), Lucie’s second son, followed his mother’s musical path, developing a deep love for the guitar. After earning a degree in music, Joseph turned his passion into a career, teaching music and performing in his band, Plasm. He became a father himself in 2019, with the birth of his daughter, Eliza Grace. Joseph continues to work on his music, and he and his partner Christa Messina welcomed a second child, George Anthony, in 2021.
Katharine “Kate” Désirée Luckinbill-Conner (40), Lucie and Laurence’s youngest child, has worked in a variety of fields, including acting and recruitment for major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft. While she has starred in a few productions, including Dracula and College Debts, Kate is currently focused on managing her family’s legacy through Desilu, Too, where she serves as the creative director. Kate’s personal life is also centered around family, as she cherishes the memories of spending time with her grandmother Lucille Ball, often recalling their special moments playing backgammon and watching Inspector Gadget together.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s family has certainly carved its own unique path in the world, with each generation contributing to the rich artistic legacy of their grandparents. Through their children and grandchildren, the Arnaz-Ball dynasty remains a beloved and enduring part of Hollywood history, continuing to inspire with their talents, perseverance, and resilience.
