Desi Arnaz Born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III March 2, 1917(1917-03-02) Santiago de Cuba, Cuba Died December 2, 1986(1986-12-02) (aged 69) Del Mar, California, United States Other names Famously known as the Cuban band leader Ricky Ricardo Occupation Actor, musician, producer Years active 1936–1982 Spouse Lucille Ball (1940–1960)2 children Edith Mack Hirsch (1963–1985) (her death) Desi Arnaz (March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986) was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the classic American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to whom he was married at the time..