Joseph Luckinbill Followed in Grandfather's Footsteps and Became a Music Teacher: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Grandson
Joseph Luckinbill is the grandson of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who is a talented musician like his grandfather. Although he did not pursue a Hollywood career, Joseph is helping future generations enhance their musical gifts.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were among the most famous Hollywood couples of their time. Although their love story was not a constant success, their divorce ended in reconciliation a few years later.
Ball and Arnaz welcomed a daughter, Lucie Desiree Arnaz, in 1951. Although Lucie was first married to Philip Vandervort Menegaux, it was only during her second marriage to Laurence Luckinbill that she had children, Simon, Joseph, and Katharine.
Joseph Luckinbill and Lucie Arnaz during the 2016 Paley Center for Media's Tribute To Hispanic Achievements In Television at Cipriani Wall Street on May 18, 2016 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Among Ball and Arnaz's grandchildren from Lucie, it was Joseph Luckinbill who followed in his grandfather's career path as a musician. Joseph is the son of the couple's only daughter, Lucie Arnaz.
Joseph Luckinbill Followed His Grandfather's Footsteps
Joseph showed signs of being musically inclined at the age of eight when a guitar first sparked his curiosity. He eventually learned how to play the instrument and pursued a musical career.
After earning his music degree at Shenandoah University, minoring in classical guitar and jazz, Joseph became a music teacher, mentoring kids who wanted to play the guitar. He is also a composer who has made music for his mother.
Joseph Luckinbill's Grandparents, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Had Their First Grandchild When Their Son Was 15
Joseph is not the first grandchild of Ball and Arnaz. The Hollywood stars became first-time grandparents when their then-15-year-old son, Desi Arnaz Jr., welcomed a daughter, Julia Arnaz.
Desi Jr. had his first child with another 15-year-old, model Susan Callahan-Howe. However, Desi Jr. did not end up with Howe and later married Amy Laura Bargiel, with whom he had a daughter, Haley.
The doting dad became a grandfather in September 1989 when Julia gave birth to Desiree S. Anzalone, Joseph's first cousin. Sadly, Anzalone passed away at age 31 after battling stage 4 breast cancer.
Amy Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Haley Arnaz and Nichole Arnaz during "Lucy" A Tribute to Lucille Ball. | Source: Getty Images
She died a peaceful death, but it broke her mother's heart as Julia watched her only daughter slowly die. "We were [best friends]," Julia said. "We are still, my mini-me."
Joseph Luckinbill's Mom Remembering His Grandmom
Anzalone and Joseph were blessed to have descended from the talented star of "I Love Lucy." Ball was a celebrated entertainer, great comedian, and beloved mom and grandma. After "I Love Lucy" aired, Joseph's mom and uncle Desi Jr. would get compliments on their parents' behalf.
Often, people would come up to them and tell the siblings how "I Love Lucy" made an impact on their lives amidst difficult times. People still talk about the stars behind the sitcom decades after, honoring Ball and Arnaz.
Joseph's mom was still a toddler when the series shot to fame in the '50s. In 1991, it was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Besides becoming a Hollywood legend, Ball was also a loving mother to her children. According to Lucie, her mom would whip up a grilled cheese sandwich and bond with her kids over snacks.
Ball's daughter, Julie Arnaz, followed in her parents' footsteps in the entertainment industry and has several television shows and film credits under her belt. One of her first opportunities was playing her mother's daughter on "The Lucy Show."
Lucie Arnaz during the 2016 Paley Center for Media's Tribute To Hispanic Achievements In Television at Cipriani Wall Street on May 18, 2016 in New York. | Source: Getty Images
She shared the spotlight with her mother again when she starred in "Here's Lucy" for six seasons. She finally had her own show, "Lucie Arnaz Show," in 1985.
Her other credits include "Fantasy Island," "Murder She Wrote," and "Law and Order." Her mother, who sadly died in 1989, would be proud of Julie's accomplishments.