The Last Living Cast Member Of 'I Love Lucy' And The New Series Ahead Of The 75th Anniversary

As of December 2025, the timeless comedy *I Love Lucy* continues to influence television and pop culture, especially as the show approaches its monumental 75th anniversary in October 2026. While the iconic core four—Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley—have long passed away, their legacy is being actively managed and celebrated, with a new multi-season series about the lives of Ball and Arnaz currently in development to bring their incredible story to a new generation. This deep dive explores the lives and careers of the legendary cast and reveals the identity of the last surviving regular actor from the show's original run. The show, which pioneered the three-camera setup and the concept of syndication through Desilu Productions, remains a cultural touchstone. The latest news focuses heavily on the efforts of their daughter, Lucie Arnaz, to honor her parents' groundbreaking work and personal journey, ensuring the *I Love Lucy* universe remains vibrant and relevant for its upcoming milestone celebration.

Complete Biographies: The Core Four Who Defined American Comedy

The dynamic between Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, and their landlords/best friends, Fred and Ethel Mertz, was the heart of the show. Their real-life stories are as compelling as the fictional Ricardos' and Mertz's.

Lucille Ball (Lucy Ricardo)

Born: August 6, 1911, Jamestown, New York.
Died: April 26, 1989, aged 77.
Career Highlights: Before becoming the "Queen of Comedy," Ball was a model and film star in the 1930s and 40s. With Desi Arnaz, she co-founded Desilu Productions, making her the first woman to run a major television studio. After *I Love Lucy*, she starred in *The Lucy Show* and *Here's Lucy*. She continuously broke barriers for women in the entertainment business.

Desi Arnaz (Ricky Ricardo)

Born: March 2, 1917, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Died: December 2, 1986, aged 69.
Career Highlights: Arnaz was a Cuban-born musician and bandleader who brought Latin music and culture to American television. His business acumen was revolutionary; he is credited with pioneering the three-camera filming technique and negotiating the syndication rights for *I Love Lucy*, which made him and Ball incredibly wealthy and changed the economic model of television. He continued to be a powerful executive after the show's end.

Vivian Vance (Ethel Mertz)

Born: July 26, 1909, Cherryvale, Kansas.
Died: August 17, 1979, aged 70.
Career Highlights: Vance was a seasoned theater actress who won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1953 for her role as Ethel Mertz, the first person to win in that category. After *I Love Lucy*, she continued her partnership with Lucille Ball, co-starring as Vivian Bagley in *The Lucy Show*. Her on-screen chemistry with Ball was legendary, though she famously did not get along with her co-star, William Frawley, in real life.

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William Frawley (Fred Mertz)

Born: February 26, 1887, Burlington, Iowa.
Died: March 3, 1966, aged 79.
Career Highlights: Frawley began his career in vaudeville in 1914 as part of a comedy act called "Frawley and Louise". Before television, he appeared in over 100 films. When he was cast as the curmudgeonly Fred Mertz, he was 64 and facing the end of his career, making *I Love Lucy* his greatest fame. After the show, he immediately transitioned to the hit series *My Three Sons*, where he played the beloved grandfather Bub O'Casey until his health declined.

The Last Living Legacies: Who is Still Alive from the 'I Love Lucy' Cast?

While the four main stars are no longer with us, the show's legacy is carried on by a few key actors who played a significant role, most notably the actors who portrayed Little Ricky Ricardo.

The only regular, credited cast member from the original six-season run of *I Love Lucy* who is still alive today is Keith Thibodeaux.

Keith Thibodeaux (Little Ricky Ricardo)

Keith Thibodeaux, who was credited as Richard Keith during his time on the show, played the role of Little Ricky, the son of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, from 1956 until the end of the series in 1957 (and later in *The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour*).

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• Born: December 1, 1950, Lafayette, Louisiana.
• Current Status: Still alive and active in his life and career.
• Post-Lucy Career: Thibodeaux was a child drumming prodigy, starting at age two. After *I Love Lucy*, he continued his acting career, most notably in *The Andy Griffith Show* as Opie's friend Johnny Paul Jason. He later became a professional musician, playing drums for the rock band David and the Giants. Today, he serves as the Executive Director of Ballet Magnificat!, a Christian ballet company in Mississippi, alongside his wife.

The Other Little Ricky Actors

The role of Little Ricky was played by multiple actors throughout the series due to the character's age progression. The infant Little Ricky was portrayed by twin actors, Joseph A. Mayer and Michael Mayer, who are also still alive. They appeared in the show when the character was a baby, and while they did not have a regular, credited role like Thibodeaux, they hold a unique place in the show's history.

The New Chapter: Legacy, Estates, and The 75th Anniversary

The enduring popularity of *I Love Lucy* is a testament to the brilliance of its creators, and the management of their legacy is a continuous, current story.

Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.'s Role

The children of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., are the primary custodians of the Desilu legacy and their parents' estates. Lucie Arnaz, in particular, has been instrumental in preserving their history through the Lucy Desi Museum and Center for Comedy in Jamestown, New York, which offers special tours and events. She is often the public face of the *I Love Lucy* brand and ensures that the portrayal of her parents remains authentic.

The Multi-Season Series and the 2026 Milestone

The most significant and current piece of news is the development of a new, multi-season television series focusing on the real-life story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. This project, spearheaded by Lucie Arnaz and producer Bob Greenblatt, is intended to be a sweeping epic that goes beyond the sitcom to explore their complex personal and professional lives. The timing of this announcement is highly relevant, as it aligns with the show's 75th anniversary in October 2026.

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This new series will provide a fresh, in-depth look at the couple who not only created a television masterpiece but also built a Hollywood empire, Desilu Productions, from the ground up. It promises to delve into their groundbreaking business decisions, their passionate but tumultuous marriage, and their individual careers, offering a comprehensive portrait of two of the most influential figures in entertainment history. The focus on their true story, separate from the fictional Ricardos, is a powerful new direction for the legacy.

Enduring Topical Authority

The continued interest in the show, from the new series development to the retirement of long-standing attractions like the *I Love Lucy* live experience at Universal Studios (a decision Lucie Arnaz expressed gratitude for, signaling a shift in how the estate manages the brand), highlights the show's enduring topical authority. Every year, especially leading up to the 75th anniversary, new books, documentaries (like the *Being the Ricardos* movie), and retrospectives emerge, proving that the cast and the world they created remain a source of fascination. The stories of Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel, and the groundbreaking work of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, are cemented in television history, ensuring that the *I Love Lucy* cast will be celebrated for generations to come.