10 Rare Lucille Ball Modeling Photos That Reveal Her Shocking Pre-Fame Blonde Look

For fans of Lucille Ball, the image of the fiery, copper-redhead from I Love Lucy is indelible, but a deep dive into her early career reveals a stunning and largely forgotten chapter: her years as a professional model in New York City. As of December 2025, renewed interest in classic Hollywood has brought a fresh look at these rare, vintage photos, which capture a young, ambitious Ball before she became "Lucy Ricardo" and the first female television mogul. These images are more than just historical curiosities; they are a visual record of a determined natural brunette who transformed herself into a platinum blonde "glamour girl" to land work on Seventh Avenue and Broadway, using the stage name Diane Belmont.

This collection of early Lucille Ball modeling photos offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Hollywood starlet on the rise, showcasing her dramatic transformation and the sheer ambition that propelled her from a small-town girl in Jamestown, New York, to the queen of television comedy. Her modeling career in the 1930s was the crucial stepping stone, proving her photogenic quality and giving her the confidence to transition into film and, eventually, television.

Lucille Ball: A Complete Early Career Biography and Profile

Lucille Désirée Ball, born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York, had a tumultuous early life that fueled her drive for success. Her ambition was evident from a young age, leading her to New York City to pursue her dreams in the arts.

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• Full Name: Lucille Désirée Ball
• Born: August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York
• Died: April 26, 1989, in Beverly Hills, California (Age 77)
• Spouses: Desi Arnaz (m. 1940; div. 1960), Gary Morton (m. 1961; div. 1989)
• Children: Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr.
• Early Career Start: Began modeling in 1929 after attending drama school.
• Modeling Name: Diane Belmont (or Dianne Belmont)
• Modeling Training/Work: Studied under Hattie Carnegie and worked for a wholesale coat place on Seventh Avenue.
• Key Films (Pre-Lucy): Stage Door (1937), DuBarry Was a Lady (1943), The Big Street (1942).
• Iconic Role: Lucy Ricardo on I Love Lucy (1951–1957).
• Business Mogul Status: Co-founded Desilu Productions with Desi Arnaz, becoming the first woman to head a major television studio.

Ball’s first foray into the entertainment world was not as a comedian, but as a striking visual presence. After a brief but unsuccessful stint at the John Murray Anderson–Robert Milton School of the Theater, she returned to New York with a fierce determination, landing her first modeling job in a small wholesale coat place on Seventh Avenue.

The Shocking Transformation: From Brunette to Platinum Blonde Model

One of the most compelling aspects of the rare Lucille Ball modeling photos is her appearance. Before she was the famous copper-redhead, Ball was a natural brunette. However, to maximize her chances in the competitive New York modeling scene of the late 1920s and early 1930s, she made a dramatic change: she went platinum blonde.

This blonde look was a calculated career move. In the era of Hollywood starlets and Ziegfeld Girls, a bright, eye-catching appearance was essential for booking jobs. Ball adopted the stage name Diane Belmont for her modeling and early Broadway work, a name that sounded more glamorous and sophisticated than her own.

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Her work was diverse, covering everything from wholesale fashion on Seventh Avenue to high-end modeling for influential designer Hattie Carnegie. These photos show a different Lucille Ball—one who was sleek, posed, and exuded the classic 1930s "glamour girl" aesthetic, a stark contrast to the physical comedy persona that would later define her career. The images often feature her in elegant gowns, fur coats, and stylish hats, embodying the fashion trends of the Depression era.

The platinum blonde hair cemented her image as a 'looker' and helped her transition from the modeling world to a "Goldwyn Girl" in Hollywood, a group of dancers and actresses hired by Samuel Goldwyn. This move to the West Coast in 1933 marked the end of her primary modeling career and the beginning of her film career at RKO Pictures.

The Legacy of Her Vintage Pre-Fame Photography

The existence of these vintage Lucille Ball modeling photos is vital for understanding her entire career trajectory. They serve as tangible proof that her success was not a fluke; it was built on a foundation of hard work, self-reinvention, and an innate photogenic quality. The photos are highly sought after by collectors and classic Hollywood historians because they represent a pivotal, transitional period.

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From Glamour Girl to Queen of Comedy

Ball's modeling experience gave her invaluable skills that she would carry into her acting career. She learned how to pose for the camera, understand lighting, and project a specific image, all crucial elements for a screen actor. Her early film roles, particularly those at RKO and later MGM, often leaned on her "glamour girl" image, capitalizing on the looks she had cultivated as a model. She was frequently cast as the beautiful but tough-talking supporting actress, a far cry from the slapstick comedy of I Love Lucy.

It wasn't until the 1940s, and specifically the 1942 film The Big Street, that she began to transition away from the blonde bombshell look. Her famous copper-red hair—a shade often described as "apricot"—was a later development, perfected for Technicolor films and then immortalized on television. The modeling photos, therefore, stand as a testament to her willingness to change her entire look for the sake of her career.

The Enduring Value of Rare 1930s Photography

Today, these rare modeling pictures are often featured in retrospective exhibitions and biographies, highlighting the 'unseen' side of the comedy legend. They are a powerful reminder that before she was the iconic "Lucy," she was a struggling young woman named Lucille Ball, or "Diane Belmont," trying to make her mark in the competitive world of fashion and entertainment. Entities like Getty Images, Alamy, and various historical archives hold the rights to these stunning black-and-white images, ensuring their preservation for future generations of classic film enthusiasts.

The sheer volume and variety of her early modeling work—from commercial print ads to high-fashion poses—demonstrate her versatility. This period was instrumental in building the resilience and business acumen that would later enable her to take control of Desilu Productions, making her one of the most powerful women in 20th-century media. Her modeling days were the first act of a monumental career, setting the stage for one of the greatest transformations in Hollywood history.

In conclusion, the Lucille Ball modeling photos, especially those from her platinum blonde "Diane Belmont" era, are a treasure trove for fans. They offer a unique, fresh perspective on a star whose image is often confined to her comedic peak. These pre-fame pictures reveal the sophisticated, hard-working glamour girl who existed before the famous redhead, underscoring the depth of her ambition and her incredible journey to becoming the beloved icon of American television.