


Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989)

Premiered on this day in New York in 1946.
Although it was nominated for five Academy Awards, including
Best Picture, It’s a Wonderful Life initially received mixed
reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office.
It’s a Wonderful Life is now considered to be one of the greatest
films of all time and among the best Christmas films. It was one
of Stewart’s favorite films.



Doctors determined that Ball had succumbed to a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm not directly related to her surgery
on April 18 to install an aortic valve replacement.
Lucille Ball was an actress, comedian, producer, and
studio executive. She was recognized by Time in 2020
for her work in all four of these areas.
She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards,
winning five times, and was the recipient of several
other accolades, such as the Golden Globe Cecil B.
DeMille Award and two stars on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame.


![]()