#230 Lucille Ball (TV's biggest star)

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Feb 7, 2022

Dive into the inspiring life of a groundbreaking television star who defied industry norms to become a comedic icon. Her journey showcases the importance of resilience, strong mentorship, and the drive that stemmed from a challenging upbringing. Explore the emotional discovery of her unpublished autobiography, revealing insights into her life and struggles. The podcast also emphasizes the significance of documenting family histories and the quest for ownership in the entertainment world, highlighting how these elements shaped her legendary career.

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ANECDOTE

Lucille Ball & Arnold

Lucille Ball gave Arnold Schwarzenegger his first Hollywood role and life-changing advice.
She mentored him for decades, sending flowers and notes of encouragement after every movie or interview.

ADVICE

Turn "No" into "Yes"

View "no's" as "yes's," and don't let naysayers discourage your difficult pursuits.
Turn external doubt into motivation, but beware of self-doubt.

ANECDOTE

Lucy's Entrepreneurial Spirit

Lucille Ball defied Hollywood norms by starting her own company and owning her show, I Love Lucy.
This made her the first female president of a major television studio.

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Total Recall

My Unbelievably True Life Story

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Simon & Schuster Inc

In 'Total Recall,' Arnold Schwarzenegger shares his life story in his signature larger-than-life style. The book chronicles his early life in Austria, his rise to fame as a bodybuilding champion, his successful career in Hollywood, and his tenure as the Governor of California. It highlights his immense ambition, tenacity, and business acumen, making him one of the greatest immigrant success stories of our time.

Arnold

The Education of a Bodybuilder

Arnold Schwarzenegger

This autobiography shares Schwarzenegger's early life, his rise in bodybuilding, and his transition into acting. It includes his fitness and training secrets, offering insights into his drive and ambition.

Hard Drive

Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire

Jim Erickson

James Wallace

This book is a detailed exposé of Bill Gates' life and the early days of Microsoft. The authors follow Gates from his childhood as an unkempt thirteen-year-old computer hacker to his present-day status as the most powerful and feared player in the computer industry. The book provides a balanced analysis of Gates' business triumphs and his driven personality, including his singular accomplishments, brattiness, arrogance, and hostility. It also delves into the intense atmosphere at Microsoft, the company's strategic positioning, and key events such as the partnership with IBM and the development of MS-DOS and Windows[1][3][5].

Overdrive

James Wallace

Overdrive: Bill Gates and the Race to Control Cyberspace is a sequel to James Wallace's 'Hard Drive'. It explores Microsoft's response to the challenges posed by the internet, including antitrust battles and the browser wars between Netscape and Internet Explorer. The book provides insights into Microsoft's strategies and controversies during this period.

Estee Lauder Autobiography

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Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder's autobiography offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and career of one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. Lauder shares her journey from humble beginnings to building a global cosmetics empire, highlighting her unwavering determination, keen business acumen, and deep understanding of customer psychology. The book is filled with practical advice and inspiring stories, showcasing her innovative marketing strategies and her ability to connect with consumers on a personal level. Her emphasis on building relationships and providing exceptional customer service remains highly relevant in today's business world. The book is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and her lasting impact on the beauty industry.

Love Lucy

Lucille Ball

What I learned from reading Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball.

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[3:19] Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger (Founders #141)

[3:28] Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder by Arnold Schwarzenegger (Founders #193)

[4:37] Lucille Ball gave me advice about Hollywood. “Just remember, when they say, ‘No,’ you hear ‘Yes,’ and act accordingly. Someone says to you, ‘We can’t do this movie,’ you hug him and say, ‘Thank you for believing in me.

[6:21] I like reading about people that do things that they're not supposed to do.

[9:45] Create a comprehensive family history.

[14:43] People with happy childhoods never overdo; they don't strive or exert themselves. They're moderate, pleasant, well liked, and good citizens. Society needs them. But the tremendous drive and dedication necessary to succeed in any field-not only show business-often seems to be rooted in a disturbed childhood.

[19:27] This is a school that teaches acting, telling what is going to wind up being one of the most successful actresses that ever lives, that she can't do it.

[20:29] I soon learned that to survive you have to be very strong, very healthy, and damned resilient. Rarely does anyone give you an encouraging word.

[20:52] I'd show up early for rehearsals and stay until they had to sweep me off the stage. . .I didn't give up. I wore out my soles trudging to casting offices.

[21:08] I can't say that I was discouraged. For some incomprehensible reason, knew that someday I'd make it.

[21:15] Remember that there are practically no “overnight" successes. Before that brilliant hit performance came ten, fifteen, sometimes twenty years in the salt mines, sweating it out.

[25:08] I was determined to stay in Hollywood. I would do what I could to make sure I'd survive the long haul.

[27:34] What would you give to be a star in two years?’’ Lela asked me when I first was getting to know her.

“What d’ya mean?’’

"Would you give me every breath you draw for two years? Will you work seven days a week? Will you sacrifice all your social life?"

“I certainly will," I promised.

"Okay," she said, "let's start.

Lela was the first person to see me as a clown with glamour.

[28:43] Lela taught us never to see anyone as bigger or more important than ourselves.

[30:07] Buster Keaton used to tell me about dozens of Hollywood people who ran into trouble. This was comforting, like reading an autobiography and thinking, “Well, that happened to them, too. I'm not the only one.”

[35:51] He soon learned that in striking out on your own, you have to throw out your chest and sell yourself.

[42:03] I learned the bitter lesson that directors and producers can make or break an actress.

I was a star, but I felt that I couldn't afford to turn down parts for fear of infuriating these bigwigs

If I did turn down a script I would be put on suspension, without salary.

I couldn't accept an offer from any other studio, no matter how good, yet I could be fired at any time without the bosses showing cause.

All the glittering “stars" were at the mercy of the whims of the top people.

[45:12] I had a driving, consuming ambition to succeed in show business.

[47:23] Founder mentality. Desi and I decided that since nobody else seemed to have faith in us as a team, we’d form our own corporation to promote ourselves. Desilu Productions, Inc., was launched.

[48:54] At that time, television was regarded as the enemy by Hollywood. So terrified was Hollywood of this medium, movie people were afraid to make even guest appearances. (As bill gates and Walt Disney learned — go with the phenomenon— not against it)

[50:50] Hard Drive: Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire by James Wallace and Jim Erickson (Founders #140)

Overdrive: Bill Gates and the Race to Control Cyberspace by James Wallace (Founders #178)

[52:57] To my delight, I discovered that the I Love Lucy show drew from everything I'd learned in the movies, radio, the theater, and vaudeville.

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