Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball was one of tv's foremost pioneers and, quite likely, the preeminent woman in the history of television. As a young contract player for MGM, Ball began her career as a Goldwyn Girl, moving up to become a moderately respected star of "B" movies. She came to television after nearly 20 years in film, gradually transforming from platinum blonde sex symbol to a wise-cracking redhead. Her first television program, I Love Lucy, premiered in 1951 and for the next 25 years Lucille Ball virtually ruled the airwaves in a series of situation comedies designed to exploit her elastic expressions, slapstick abilities and distinct verbal talents. A five-time Emmy award winner, the first woman inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame, a recipient of a Genii Award and a Kennedy Center Honor, Lucille Ball was perhaps the most beloved of all television stars, and certainly the most recognizable. Her fan clubs are run in countries all over the world, and on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Biographer Nick Yapp has written over thirty books on a wide range of subjects from poetry to law. He was a teacher for many years before becoming a writer and broadcaster. He has scripted over fifty programs for television and over 100 programs for the radio, as well as writing numerous short stories and travel pieces for The New York Times.