45 Iconic ‘I Love Lucy’ Guest Stars You Forgot—From John Wayne to Barbara Eden and Beyond
From John Wayne to Ethel Merman, revisit the best 45 unforgettable celebrity moments across Lucy’s five shows
From Broadway legends to big-screen cowboys, crooners, comedians and even a certain Man of Steel, the guest stars who appeared alongside Lucille Ball over the decades were as dazzling as Lucy’s red hair and as unpredictable as her comic timing. Across I Love Lucy, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show (a.k.a. The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour), The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy and even the short-lived Life with Lucy, America’s favorite redhead attracted an astonishing roster of talent who stepped in to match wits—and sometimes pratfalls—with TV’s queen of comedy.
Some guests came to poke fun at their own personas—think Bob Hope dodging Lucy at Yankee Stadium, or John Wayne playing along with a wild scheme involving stolen footprints. Others, like Ethel Merman, Ginger Rogers and Ann-Margret, lit up the screen with musical numbers that let Lucy (or at least Lucy Carmichael or Lucy Carter) live out her showbiz dreams. The format didn’t matter: whether it was black-and-white sitcom or hour-long comedy special, Lucy and her writers knew how to craft the perfect storm of celebrity guest chaos.
What follows is a look at 45 unforgettable guest stars, from major one-time appearances (like George Reeves swooping in as Superman) to real-life couples like Ida Lupino and Howard Duff, and even a few surprises—did you remember that Barbara Eden appeared on I Love Lucy before she ever stepped foot in a bottle? Or that John Ritter passed the torch on Life with Lucy in one of the final collaborations between TV royalty?
Now, let’s revisit each one and see who showed up, when they appeared and how they handled life with Lucy.
1. Tallulah Bankhead (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Tallulah Bankhead (1902–1968)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “The Celebrity Next Door” (Season 1, Episode 2)
Original airdate: December 3, 1957
Role: Herself
Best known for: Tallulah Bankhead was a celebrated stage and screen actress recognized for her smoky voice, biting wit and bold personality. She gained critical acclaim on Broadway for roles in The Little Foxes, The Skin of Our Teeth and Private Lives, and starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat (1944). Bankhead was a frequent guest on radio and early television talk shows, and her uninhibited, flamboyant persona made her a larger-than-life figure in mid-20th-century entertainment.
2. Bea Benaderet (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Bea Benaderet (1906–1968)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Plays Cupid” (Season 1, Episode 15)
Original airdate: January 21, 1952
Role: Miss Lewis
Best known for: Bea Benaderet was a versatile actress and voice artist renowned for her work in radio, television, and animation. She gained fame as Blanche Morton on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and later starred as Kate Bradley on Petticoat Junction. Benaderet was also the original voice of Betty Rubble on The Flintstones and voiced Granny in Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes. Notably, she was Lucille Ball’s first choice for the role of Ethel Mertz on I Love Lucy, but scheduling conflicts prevented her from taking the part. In the episode “Lucy Plays Cupid,” she guest-starred as Miss Lewis, a neighbor whom Lucy tries to matchmake with the local grocer.
3. Jack Benny and Bob Hope (‘The Lucy Show’)
Name: Jack Benny (1894–1974)
Show: The Lucy Show
Episode title: “Lucy and the Plumber” (Season 3, Episode 2)
Original airdate: September 28, 1964
Role: Harry Tuttle
Best known for: Jack Benny was a pioneering comedian and entertainer whose career spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television. He was best known for The Jack Benny Program, which showcased his impeccable comic timing, signature violin playing and the running gag of his perpetual age of 39. Benny’s deadpan delivery and self-deprecating humor made him a beloved figure in American comedy.
Name: Bob Hope (1903–2003)
Show: The Lucy Show
Episode title: “Lucy and the Plumber” (Season 3, Episode 2)
Original airdate September 28, 1964
Role: Plumber’s Assistant
Best known for: Bob Hope was an iconic comedian, actor and entertainer whose career spanned nearly 80 years. He was renowned for his quick wit, comedic timing and numerous USO tours entertaining American troops overseas. Hope starred in a series of successful “Road to…” films alongside Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. He hosted the Academy Awards a record 19 times and was a staple on radio and television, known for his monologues and variety specials.
4. Charles Boyer (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Charles Boyer (1899–1978)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Meets Charles Boyer” (Season 5, Episode 19)
Original airdate: March 5, 1956
Role: Himself (posing as “Maurice DuBois”)
Best known for: Charles Boyer was a distinguished French actor celebrated for his suave and romantic roles in classic films. He gained international acclaim for performances in movies such as Algiers (1938), Gaslight (1944) and Love Affair (1939). Boyer’s deep voice and debonair presence made him a quintessential leading man of his era. In his guest appearance on I Love Lucy, he humorously portrays himself under the alias “Maurice DuBois” to play along with Lucy’s starstruck antics.
5. Lloyd Bridges (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Lloyd Bridges (1913–1998)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy’s Big Break” (Season 5, Episode 1)
Original airdate: September 11, 1972
Role: Dr. Paul Murray
Best known for: The career of Lloyd Bridges spanned over six decades. He gained fame in the late 1950s as the star of the underwater adventure series Sea Hunt (1958–1961), portraying scuba diver Mike Nelson. Bridges showcased his versatility by taking on a variety of roles in both drama and comedy. In the 1980s and 1990s, he became known for his comedic performances in films like Airplane! (1980) and Hot Shots! (1991). He was also the father of actors Beau and Jeff Bridges.
6. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Richard Burton (1925–1984)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Meets the Burtons” (Season 3, Episode 1)
Original airdate: September 14, 1970
Role: Himself
Best known for: Richard Burton was a distinguished Welsh actor renowned for his commanding stage presence and rich, resonant voice. He gained acclaim for his performances in Shakespearean productions and starred in notable films such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), Becket (1964) and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1965). Burton’s tumultuous relationship with Elizabeth Taylor, whom he married twice, was highly publicized and captivated audiences worldwide. In this episode of Here’s Lucy, Burton appears as himself, humorously entangled in a plot where Lucy mistakes him for a plumber, leading to comedic situations involving a valuable diamond ring.
Name: Elizabeth Taylor (1932–2011)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Meets the Burtons” (Season 3, Episode 1)
Original airdate September 14, 1970
Role: Herself
Best known for: Elizabeth Taylor was an iconic British-American actress celebrated for her beauty, talent and vibrant screen presence. She starred in classic films such as Cleopatra (1963), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and Butterfield 8 (1960), earning two Academy Awards for Best Actress. Beyond her acting career, Taylor was known for her glamorous lifestyle, philanthropic efforts and high-profile marriages, including two to Richard Burton. In this Here’s Lucy episode, Taylor plays herself, becoming part of a comedic storyline where Lucy inadvertently gets Taylor’s famous 69-carat diamond ring stuck on her finger, leading to a series of humorous events.
7. Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Johnny Carson (1925–2005)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Johnny Carson” (Season 2, Episode 11)
Original airdate: December 1, 1969
Role: Himself
Best known for: Johnny Carson was an iconic American television host, comedian and writer, best known for hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson from 1962 to 1992. His relaxed, conversational style and quick wit made him a beloved figure in late-night television. In this episode of Here’s Lucy, Carson plays himself in a storyline where Lucy wins a dinner at the Brown Derby after participating in a segment on The Tonight Show. Her antics lead to a comedic encounter with Carson at the restaurant.
Name: Ed McMahon (1923–2009)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Johnny Carson” (Season 2, Episode 11)
Original airdate: December 1, 1969
Role: Himself
Best known for: Ed McMahon was a television announcer, game show host and comedian, widely recognized as Johnny Carson’s sidekick on The Tonight Show, where he famously introduced Carson with the phrase “Heeeeeere’s Johnny!” Beyond his work with Carson, McMahon hosted Star Search and co-hosted TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes. In this episode of Here’s Lucy, McMahon appears as himself, accompanying Carson during the dinner at the Brown Derby.
8. Maurice Chevalier (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Maurice Chevalier (1888–1972)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Goes to Mexico” (Season 2, Episode 1)
Original airdate: October 6, 1958
Role: Himself
Best known for: Maurice Chevalier was a celebrated French entertainer renowned for his charismatic performances as a singer and actor. He gained international fame with his signature straw boater hat and tuxedo, becoming a symbol of French charm and sophistication. Chevalier starred in a variety of Hollywood films, including The Love Parade (1929), The Smiling Lieutenant (1931) and Gigi (1958), where his rendition of “Thank Heaven for Little Girls” became iconic. In this episode of The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, Chevalier plays himself, entangled in a comedic storyline where Lucy Ricardo finds herself in a series of misadventures—including a bullfight.
9. Jackie Coogan (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Jackie Coogan (1914–1984)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy’s Tenant” (Season 6, Episode 7)
Original airdate: October 22, 1973
Role: Kermit Boswell
Best known for: Jackie Coogan was one of Hollywood’s first child stars, gaining fame in the silent film era with his role alongside Charlie Chaplin in The Kid (1921). His early earnings led to the establishment of the “Coogan Law,” designed to protect child actors’ finances after his mother pretty much drained him financially. As an adult, Coogan is best remembered for his portrayal of Uncle Fester in the 1960s television series The Addams Family. In this episode of Here’s Lucy, he plays Kermit Boswell, a cantankerous used car salesman who becomes Lucy’s unwelcome tenant, leading to comedic attempts by Lucy to evict him.
10. Sammy Davis, Jr. (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Sammy Davis Jr. (1925–1990)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Sammy Davis Jr.” (Season 3, Episode 3)
Original airdate: September 28, 1970
Role: Himself
Best known for: Sammy Davis Jr. was a multifaceted entertainer renowned for his talents as a singer, dancer, actor, and comedian. As a member of the Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, he became an important figure in American entertainment. Davis’ notable film appearances include Ocean’s 11 (1960) and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964). He was also known for his work on stage, particularly in the Broadway musical Golden Boy, which earned him a Tony Award nomination. Beyond his artistic achievements, Davis was a trailblazer in the civil rights movement, using his platform to advocate for racial equality. In this episode of Here’s Lucy, he portrays himself in a comedic storyline where Lucy accidentally injures his nose and then insists on nursing him back to health.
11. Barbara Eden (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Barbara Eden (born August 23, 1931)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Country Club Dance” (Season 6, Episode 25)
Original airdate: April 22, 1957
Role: Diana Jordan
Best known for: Barbara Eden is, of course, best known for her role as Jeannie in the 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. In this early television appearance on I Love Lucy, Eden portrayed Diana Jordan, a glamorous young socialite whose presence at a country club dance causes a stir among the male characters, leading to comedic situations as their wives attempt to reclaim their attention.
12. Tennessee Ernie Ford (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Tennessee Ernie Ford (1919–1991)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode titles: “Tennessee Ernie Visits” (Season 3, Episode 28), “Tennessee Ernie Hangs On” (Season 3, Episode 29), “Tennessee Bound” (Season 4, Episode 15)
Original airdates: May 3, 1954, May 10, 1954, January 24, 1955
Role: Cousin Ernie
Best known for: Tennessee Ernie Ford was a singer and television host, celebrated for his rich bass-baritone voice and his hit rendition of “Sixteen Tons.” He began his career in radio before transitioning to television, where he hosted The Ford Show from 1956 to 1961. Ford’s appearances on I Love Lucy as Cousin Ernie marked the first time a celebrity guest-starred on the show, portraying a character with his own name. His portrayal of the endearing and musically inclined Cousin Ernie was so well-received that it led to multiple guest appearances.
13. Sir David Frost (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Sir David Frost (1939–2013)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Helps David Frost Go Night-Night” (Season 4, Episode 12)
Original airdate: November 29, 1971
Role: Himself
Best known for: Sir David Frost was a prominent British journalist, television host and media personality. He gained fame in the UK with the satirical program That Was the Week That Was in the early 1960s, and later hosted The David Frost Show in the United States from 1969 to 1972. Frost is perhaps best remembered for his 1977 interviews with former U.S. President Richard Nixon, which were later dramatized in the play and film Frost/Nixon. In this episode of Here’s Lucy, Frost plays himself, hiring Lucy Carter as a traveling companion to help him sleep undisturbed on a flight to London. You can imagine how that goes.
14. Eva Gabor (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Eva Gabor (1919–1995)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Eva Gabor” (Season 1, Episode 7)
Original airdate: November 11, 1968
Role: Eva Von Kirsten
Best known for: Eva Gabor was a Hungarian-American actress and socialite, best known for her role as Lisa Douglas on the sitcom Green Acres (1965–1971). In this episode of Here’s Lucy, she portrays Eva Von Kirsten, a glamorous novelist seeking solitude to adapt her novel into a screenplay. Lucy Carter offers her home as a retreat, leading to comedic situations as Lucy attempts to keep the press and public at bay.
15. Betty Grable and Harry James (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Betty Grable (1916–1973)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Wins a Race Horse” (Season 1, Episode 4)
Original airdate: February 3, 1958
Role: Herself
Best known for: Betty Grable was acclaimed as an actress, singer and dancer in 1940s musicals and comedies. She became the top box-office draw during World War II and was celebrated as the era’s most popular pin-up girl. In this episode, Grable portrays herself, assisting Lucy in managing a racehorse that Lucy has won, leading to a series of comedic events.
Name: Harry James (1916–1983)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Wins a Race Horse” (Season 1, Episode 4)
Original airdate: February 3, 1958
Role: Himself
Best known for: Harry James was a prominent trumpeter and bandleader, known for his work in the swing era and for hits like “You Made Me Love You.” He was married to Betty Grable from 1943 to 1965. In this episode, James appears as himself, joining his wife in the storyline involving Lucy’s new racehorse.
16. William Holden (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: William Holden (1918–1981)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “L.A. at Last” (Season 4, Episode 17)
Original airdate: February 7, 1955
Role: Himself
Best known for: William Holden was one of Hollywood’s top leading men in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his rugged charm and emotionally layered performances. He won an Academy Award for Stalag 17 (1953) and starred in acclaimed films such as Sunset Boulevard (1950), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), and Network (1976). In his guest appearance on I Love Lucy, Holden plays himself in a now-classic episode where Lucy Ricardo’s obsession with meeting movie stars leads to a disastrous—and famously hilarious—encounter at the Brown Derby restaurant, followed by a botched attempt to meet Holden at her hotel. The episode remains one of the series’ most beloved.
17. Hedda Hoppa (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Hedda Hopper (1885–1966)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “The Hedda Hopper Story” (Season 5, Episode 17)
Original airdate: February 27, 1956
Role: Herself
Best known for: Hedda Hopper was one of Hollywood’s most powerful and feared gossip columnists, known for her flamboyant hats and sharp tongue. After a career as a film actress in the silent era, she transitioned to journalism and wrote a widely-read Hollywood column that mixed celebrity news, political commentary and scandal. In this episode of I Love Lucy, she plays herself as Lucy Ricardo schemes to get Ricky into Hedda’s column.
18. Bob Hope (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Bob Hope (1903–2003)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Bob Hope” (Season 6, Episode 1)
Original airdate: October 1, 1956
Role: Himself
Best known for: Bob Hope was a legendary comedian, actor, and entertainer whose career spanned vaudeville, radio, film, television and decades of USO tours for American troops. He starred in numerous successful comedies—especially the “Road to…” films with Bing Crosby—and became a fixture of TV variety specials.
19. Rock Hudson (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Rock Hudson (1925–1985)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “In Palm Springs” (Season 4, Episode 26)
Original airdate: March 19, 1956
Role: Himself
Best known for: Rock Hudson was one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his roles in romantic comedies and dramatic films. He starred in Magnificent Obsession (1954), Giant (1956), for which he earned an Oscar nomination, and a string of beloved comedies with Doris Day, including Pillow Talk (1959).
20. Van Johnson (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Van Johnson (1916–2008)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “The Dancing Star” (Season 4, Episode 27)
Original airdate: February 14, 1955
Role: Himself
Best known for: Van Johnson was a popular MGM contract star of the 1940s and 1950s, known for his all-American charm and roles in films such as Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944), The Caine Mutiny (1954), and In the Good Old Summertime (1949). He frequently appeared in musicals, dramas, and wartime films.
21. Ernie Kovacs (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Ernie Kovacs (1919–1962)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Meets the Mustache” (Season 3, Episode 3)
Original airdate: April 1, 1960
Role: Himself
Best known for: Ernie Kovacs was a groundbreaking comedian, writer, and television innovator best known for his surreal, experimental comedy style that helped shape the future of television humor. He starred in several TV variety shows in the 1950s and was known for visual gags, inventive camera work, and offbeat characters.
22. Jack LaLanne (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Jack LaLanne (1914–2011)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and the Bogie Affair” (Season 2, Episode 13)
Original airdate: December 15, 1969
Role: Himself
Best known for:
Jack LaLanne was a pioneering fitness expert and television personality, often referred to as the “Godfather of Fitness.” He revolutionized the American approach to health and exercise with his long-running television program, The Jack LaLanne Show, which aired from 1951 to 1985. LaLanne advocated for regular exercise and proper nutrition, inspiring generations to lead healthier lifestyles.
23. Elsa Lanchester (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Elsa Lanchester (1902–1986)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “The Fox Hunt” (Season 5, Episode 16)
Original airdate: January 16, 1956
Role: Lady Morrow
Best known for: Elsa Lanchester was a distinguished British-American actress known for her unique screen presence and character roles, often blending eccentricity with elegance. She is perhaps most famously remembered for playing the title role in The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), opposite Boris Karloff. Her film credits also include Witness for the Prosecution (1957), for which she received an Academy Award nomination, and Mary Poppins (1964).
24. Sheldon Leonard (‘The Lucy Show’)
Name: Sheldon Leonard (1907–1997)
Show: The Lucy Show
Episode title: “Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard” (Season 5, Episode 22)
Original airdate: March 6, 1967
Role: Himself
Best known for: Sheldon Leonard was a prominent figure in American entertainment, known for his work as an actor, producer and director. He gained recognition for portraying tough-talking characters in films and later became a successful television producer, contributing to classics like The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and I Spy. Remember him as Nick the Bartender in It’s a Wonderful Life?
25. Ida Lupino and Howard Duff (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Ida Lupino (1918–1995) and Howard Duff (1913–1990)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy’s Summer Vacation” (Season 2, Episode 5)
Original airdate: June 8, 1959
Role: Themselves
Best known for: Ida Lupino was a pioneering actress and director, renowned for her work in film noir and for being one of the few female directors in Hollywood during the 1950s. Howard Duff was a versatile actor known for his roles in radio, film, and television. In this episode, the real-life couple portrayed themselves. The storyline revolves around the Ricardos and the Duffs both being mistakenly booked into the same Vermont cabin for a vacation.
26. Fred MacMurray (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Fred MacMurray (1908–1991)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Hunts Uranium” (Season 1, Episode 3)
Original airdate: January 3, 1958
Role: Himself
Best known for: Fred MacMurray was a versatile American actor whose career spanned over four decades, known for his roles in films like Double Indemnity (1944), The Caine Mutiny (1954), and Disney’s The Shaggy Dog (1959). He later starred in the long-running television series My Three Sons (1960–1972).
27. Ann-Margret (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Ann-Margret (born April 28, 1941)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Ann-Margret” (Season 2, Episode 20)
Original airdate: February 2, 1970
Role: Herself
Best known for: Ann-Margret is a Swedish-American actress, singer, and dancer renowned for her dynamic performances in film and on stage. She gained prominence in the early 1960s with roles in movies like Bye Bye Birdie (1963) and Viva Las Vegas (1964), showcasing her versatility and charisma. Her career includes acclaimed performances in Carnal Knowledge (1971) and Tommy (1975), both earning her Academy Award nominations.
28. Dean Martin (‘The Lucy Show’)
Name: Dean Martin (1917–1995)
Show: The Lucy Show
Episode title: “Lucy Dates Dean Martin” (Season 4, Episode 21)
Original airdate: February 14, 1966
Role: Himself / Eddie Feldman
Best known for: Dean Martin was a renowned American singer, actor and comedian, celebrated for his smooth vocals and charismatic screen presence. He gained fame as part of the comedy duo Martin and Lewis alongside Jerry Lewis and later became a prominent member of the Rat Pack. Martin starred in numerous films and hosted The Dean Martin Show, a popular television variety program.
29. Harpo Marx (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Harpo Marx (1888–1964)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Harpo Marx” (Season 4, Episode 28)
Original airdate: May 9, 1955
Role: Himself
Best known for: Harpo Marx was one of the legendary Marx Brothers comedy team, known for his silent performances, expressive pantomime and trademark use of props—including his harp, which became his namesake. Alongside his brothers Groucho, Chico and sometimes Zeppo, Harpo starred in classic comedy films such as Duck Soup (1933), Animal Crackers (1930) and A Night at the Opera (1935).
30. Howard McNear (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Howard McNear (1905–1969)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Little Ricky Gets Stage Fright” (Season 6, Episode 4)
Original airdate: October 22, 1956
Role: Mr. Crawford (Little Ricky’s music teacher)
Best known for: Howard McNear was a versatile American character actor, best remembered for his role as Floyd Lawson, the affable “Floyd the Barber” on The Andy Griffith Show. In this I Love Lucy episode, McNear portrays Mr. Crawford, the patient and encouraging music teacher who helps Little Ricky prepare for his first school recital.
31. Ethel Merman (‘The Lucy Show’)
Name: Ethel Merman (1908–1984)
Show: The Lucy Show
Episode title: “Lucy Teaches Ethel Merman to Sing” (Season 3, Episode 24)
Original airdate: March 8, 1965
Role: Herself
Best known for: Ethel Merman was one of Broadway’s most iconic stars, renowned for her powerful, brassy singing voice and commanding stage presence. She originated leading roles in classic musicals such as Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam and Gypsy. Her signature song, “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” became synonymous with her larger-than-life persona. In her appearance on The Lucy Show, Merman plays herself, with the comic premise that Lucy attempts to “coach” her in singing for a benefit show—blissfully unaware of Merman’s legendary status.
32. Pepito the Clown (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Pepito Pérez (1899–1975), professionally known as Pepito the Spanish Clown
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “The Audition” (Season 1, Episode 6)
Original airdate: November 19, 1951
Role: Himself (Pepito the Clown)
Best known for: Pepito the Clown, born José “Pepito” Pérez, was a Spanish-born circus performer and comedic entertainer who gained fame in the United States as a talented clown and pantomime artist. In this early I Love Lucy episode, Lucy schemes to break into show business by performing in a vaudeville-style act with Pepito.
33. Vincent Price (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Vincent Price (1911–1993)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Cuts Vincent’s Price” (Season 3, Episode 9)
Original airdate: November 9, 1970
Role: Himself
Best known for: Vincent Price was an iconic American actor renowned for his distinctive voice and performances in horror films such as House of Wax (1953), The Fly (1958) and The House on Haunted Hill (1959). Beyond his film career, Price was also an art connoisseur and gourmet cook.
34. George Reeves (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: George Reeves (1914–1959)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Superman” (Season 6, Episode 13)
Original airdate: January 14, 1957
Role: George Reeves as Superman
Best known for: George Reeves was an American actor best known for portraying Superman in the television series Adventures of Superman (1952–1958). In this I Love Lucy episode, Reeves appears as Superman, attending Little Ricky’s birthday party.
35. John Ritter (‘Life with Lucy’)
Name: John Ritter (1948–2003)
Show: Life with Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Makes a Hit with John Ritter” (Season 1, Episode 2)
Original airdate: September 27, 1986
Role: Himself
Best known for: John Ritter was a beloved American actor and comedian best known for his Emmy-winning role as Jack Tripper on the hit sitcom Three’s Company (1977–1984). Recognized for his gift for physical comedy and affable charm, Ritter also starred in shows like Hooperman, Hearts Afire and 8 Simple Rules. This episode served as a symbolic passing of the sitcom torch between two generations of television comedy icons.
36. Ginger Rogers (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Ginger Rogers (1911–1995)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Ginger Rogers Comes to Tea” (Season 4, Episode 11)
Original airdate: November 22, 1971
Role: Herself
Best known for: Ginger Rogers was an Academy Award-winning actress, singer and dancer, celebrated for her memorable film partnerships with Fred Astaire in classics like Top Hat (1935), Swing Time (1936) and Shall We Dance (1937). She won the Best Actress Oscar for Kitty Foyle (1940) and was renowned for her versatility across musicals, comedies and dramas.
37. Cesar Romero (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Cesar Romero (1907–1994)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Original airdate: November 6, 1957
Role: Carlos Garcia
Best known for: Cesar Romero was a charismatic American actor acclaimed for his suave screen presence and versatility across film and television. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the Joker in the 1960s Batman television series. In this inaugural episode of The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, Romero plays Carlos Garcia, a charming Cuban tour guide and friend of Ricky Ricardo.
38. Phil Silvers (‘The Lucy Show’)
![THE LUCY SHOW, 'Lucy and Phil Silvers', Phil Silvers, Lucille Ball, 1962-1968 [Season 4; airdate: 12/12/66]](https://www.womansworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/TBDLUSH_EC045.jpg?w=917&quality=70&strip=all)
Name: Phil Silvers (1911–1985)
Show: The Lucy Show
Episode title: “Lucy and Phil Silvers” (Season 5, Episode 13)
Original airdate: December 12, 1966
Role: Oliver Kasten (Efficiency Expert)
Best known for: Phil Silvers was a celebrated American comedian and actor, best known for his role as Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko in The Phil Silvers Show (1955–1959), a performance that earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards.
39. Red Skelton (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Red Skelton (1913–1997)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Goes to Alaska” (Season 2, Episode 3)
Original airdate: February 9, 1959
Role: Himself
Best known for: Red Skelton was a beloved American comedian and actor and made America laugh with his radio and television variety series, The Red Skelton Show, which aired from 1951 to 1971. He was particularly famous for his character “Freddie the Freeloader,” a silent hobo clown whose pantomime sketches showcased Skelton’s comedic abilities.
40. Ann Sothern (‘The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show’)
Name: Ann Sothern (1909–2001)
Show: The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show
Episode title: “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (Season 1, Episode 1)
Original airdate: November 6, 1957
Role: Susie MacNamara
Best known for: Ann Sothern gained widespread recognition for her role as Susie MacNamara in the sitcom Private Secretary (1953–1957). In the premiere episode of The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, Sothern reprised her role as Susie MacNamara, joining her friend Lucy Ricardo on a cruise to Havana.
41. Trevor Ward (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Trevor Ward (dates unknown; credited TV character actor active in the 1950s)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Paris at Last” (Season 5, Episode 18)
Original airdate: February 27, 1956
Role: French Policeman
Best known for: Trevor Ward was a character actor who made minor but memorable appearances in 1950s television, often cast in roles requiring a European accent or demeanor. In I Love Lucy, he appears as the French policeman who arrests Lucy Ricardo after she unknowingly uses counterfeit money in a Paris café.
42. John Wayne (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: John Wayne (1907–1979)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and John Wayne” (Season 5, Episode 2)
Original airdate: October 10, 1955
Role: Himself
Best Known For: John Wayne, nicknamed “The Duke,” was one of the greatest leading men in Hollywood history, known for his roles in classic Westerns and war films. His filmography includes Stagecoach (1939), The Searchers (1956), True Grit (1969)—for which he won an Academy Award—and many others. In I Love Lucy, Wayne plays himself in an episode in which Lucy Ricardo “accidentally” steals his footprints from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and tries to return them without getting caught. Wayne also appeared on three episodes of The Lucy Show.
43. Lawrence Welk (‘Here’s Lucy’)
Name: Lawrence Welk (1903–1992)
Show: Here’s Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy and Lawrence Welk” (Season 2, Episode 18)
Original airdate: January 19, 1970
Role: Himself
Best known for: Lawrence Welk was an American bandleader and television impresario, renowned for hosting The Lawrence Welk Show from 1951 to 1982. His program was celebrated for its “champagne music” style—light, family-friendly entertainment that resonated with audiences across the United States for more than three decades.
44. Orson Welles (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Orson Welles (1915–1985)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “Lucy Meets Orson Welles” (Season 6, Episode 3)
Original airdate: October 15, 1956
Role: Himself
Best known for: Orson Welles was a visionary American filmmaker, actor and writer, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in cinema, notably Citizen Kane (1941), and his innovative radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds (1938). In this episode of I Love Lucy, Welles guest-stars as himself, preparing a magic act for Ricky Ricardo’s Club Babalu.
45. Cornel Wilde (‘I Love Lucy’)
Name: Cornel Wilde (1912–1989)
Show: I Love Lucy
Episode title: “The Star Upstairs” (Season 4, Episode 25)
Original airdate: April 18, 1955
Role: Himself
Best known for: Cornel Wilde was a Hungarian-American actor, director and producer known for his romantic and swashbuckling film roles in the 1940s and 1950s. He received an Academy Award nomination for A Song to Remember (1945) and starred in adventure films such as The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946) and The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). In I Love Lucy, Wilde appears as himself when Lucy and Ethel spot him entering a hotel and scheme to sneak into his room, hoping to meet the Hollywood heartthrob.
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