Desi Arnaz (March 2, 1917 – December 2, 1986), born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III in Santiago, Cuba, began his career by chance as a professional musician during the depression, singing, playing guitar and percussion for a
Latin orchestra in Miami. He moved to New York to perform in a group conducted by
Xavier Cugat. In 1939, his wild conga drum antics got him a break starring on Broadway in the successful musical Too Many Girls, and he went to Hollywood to appear in the 1940 movie version, where he met co-star and future wife
Lucille Ball. Prior to meeting Ball, Arnaz ha…
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