The Desi Arnaz collection consists of Arnaz’s personal notes and materials for his autobiography, A Book, and production materials from both “Desilu Productions” and “Desi Arnaz Productions, Inc.” (DAPI). The Desilu Production items include films and related documents from 1951 to 1962.

From the mid 1930s until the early 1970s, Desi Arnaz, born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz de Archa III on March 2, 1917, achieved prominence first as a musician and later in film and television. After leaving Cuba in 1933 due to the arrival of the Batista government, Desi and his mother fled to Miami, Florida, where his father later joined them. Desi Arnaz joined Xaiver Cugat’s band in 1934 and toured with the group before striking out on his own. Earning renown as the “Miami Rhumba King,” the musician and eventual bandleader went north to perform in New York nightclubs. In 1939 he starred in the Broadway production of “Too Many Girls.” When RKO Pictures in Hollywood purchased the play in 1940, Arnaz made his motion picture debut in the film version. He reprised his role as the lead character, playing opposite Lucille Ball (1911-1989). Their meeting began a relationship that led to their marriage later that year. The couple purchased property in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley, which they named the Desilu Ranch.

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Conditions Governing Use The copyright interests in the materials found in this collection have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Special Collections and University Archives can only grant permission to publish materials for which it is the copyright holder. For further information, please consult the section on copyright in the rules for using the collections, or contact the United States Copyright Office at (202) 707-3000 or http://www.copyright.gov. Permission for commercial use or non-scholarly research must be obtained from the executors of the of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball estates, which are maintained through the partnership of “Desilu too.” All rights to materials in the collection must be obtained in writing from “Desilu too.” It is the responsibility of the researcher to assure that all legal qualifications have been met prior to publication.