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Vivian Vance Headshot

Vivian Vance

Date of Death: August 17, 1979 (70)

Birth Place: Cherryvale, KS, USA

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BIO

Vivian Vance (born Vivian Roberta Jones; July 26, 1909 – August 17, 1979) was an American actress best known for playing Ethel Mertz on the sitcom I Love Lucy (1951–1957), for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, among other accolades. She also starred alongside Lucille Ball in The Lucy Show from 1962 until she left the series at the end of its third season in 1965. In 1991, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is most commonly identified as Lucille Ball’s longtime comedic foil from 1951 until her death in 1979.

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1969
Maggie Gordon

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1947
Mrs. Mister

Mrs. Mister

[Broadway]
1947
Bee Clark

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1941
Nancy Collister

Nancy Collister

[Broadway]
1940
Claire James

[Broadway]
1939
Myrtle Valentine

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1937
Performer

Stephanie Stephanovich

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1936
Vivian

Vivian

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1934
Babe

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1932
Contralto/Choral Society

Contralto/Walking Club


News


VIVIAN VANCE ALIVE AND WELL RUNNING CHINESE TAKE-OUT Premieres at Hollywood Fringe

Experience the premiere of the new musical fantasy, VIVIAN VANCE ALIVE AND WELL RUNNING CHINESE TAKE-OUT, at the Hollywood Fringe on June 7. Don't miss this unique theatrical event.
Kristine Nielsen Joins Maxine Linehan and Kelly McAndrew in the Dorset Theatre Festival

 Dorset Theatre Festival has announced full casting for The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh and Sidekicked by Kim Powers in their upcoming 2024 Main Stage season, scheduled from June 21 through September 7, 2024 at the Dorset Playhouse.
Dorset Theatre Festival Reveals 2024 Season Lineup

Dorset Theatre Festival has announced its 47th Main Stage Summer Season beginning June 21, 2024. Learn more about the full season lineup here!
Fine Arts Theatre Beverly Hills Celebrates 86th Anniversary With 1937 Ticket Prices

The Fine Arts Theatre Beverly Hills with celebrate the 86th Anniversary of the historic theatre with retro 1937 ticket prices of twenty-five cents per movie ticket and fifty cents for Double Features during a month-long celebration screening of 11 classic films from April 2 – 30, 2023.
Review: LUCY LOVES DESI: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE SITCOM at Reynolds Performance Hall

What did our critic think of LUCY LOVES DESI: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE SITCOM at Reynolds Performance Hall?
Theatre Aspen Grant Program Established to Support Solo Flights Festival

Theatre Aspen announced that, beginning this season, $10,000 grants will be awarded to two of the Solo Flights selections, to support their further development, underwritten by Rachel and Rick Klausner.
James Naughton, Beth Malone & More Join Theatre Aspen's SOLO FLIGHTS Festival

Theatre Aspen has announced the cast and directors for its third annual Solo Flights, including two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton (Broadway’s Chicago). Solo Flights is Theatre Aspen’s developmental one-person show festival, running September 10-15, 2022, at the Hurst Theatre in Aspen, Colorado.
BWW Review: GABRIELLE STRAVELLI TRIO at Birdland Theater by Guest Reviewer Andrew Poretz

The Gabrielle Stravelli Trio has a regular gig at Birdland Theater and Theater Pizzazz reviewer Andrew Poretz (on loan to Broadway World Cabaret) thinks they are the bees knees.
Broadway Streaming Guide: December 2021- Where to Watch AND JUST LIKE THAT... & More New Releases!

2021 closes with new soundtracks, including West Side Story and Annie LIVE!, and new musical films, including Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas and Encanto, hitting streaming services. This month also features new livestream concerts from Seth Rudetsky and Jessica Vosk, with RHONY's Countess Luann streaming from 54 Below.
VIDEO: Watch Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball in Amazon's BEING THE RICARDOS Trailer

'Being the Ricardos', a new film from Amazon starring Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball and Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz. The biopic was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. J.K. Simmons, Nina Arianda, Linda Lavin, and John Rubinstein are also featured. Watch the trailer for the highly-anticipated film now!
Tony Winners Linda Lavin & John Rubinstein Join Aaron Sorkin's BEING THE RICARDOS

In addition, 'Arrested Development' stars Tony Hale and Alia Shawkat have joined the cast.
BWW Exclusive: Read Jennifer Ashley Tepper's THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4- Spotlight on The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Earlier this month, Dress Circle Publishing released THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4, the latest in a series by acclaimed historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper. Can't wait to get your hands on it? While you're waiting for your copy, let BroadwayWorld hold you over with a special sneak peek from a chapter all about the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
Nina Arianda and J.K. Simmons In Talks to Join Lucille Ball Biopic BEING THE RICARDOS

Tony Award-winner Nina Arianda and Academy Award-winner J.K. Simmons are currently in talks to join Aaron Sorkin's upcoming Lucille Ball biopic, Being the Ricardos. 
Wake Up With BWW 7/17: BROADWAY BARKS, Immersive GREAT COMET Comes to Florida, and More!

Today's top stories: tune in to last night's virtual Broadway Barks hosted by Bernadette Peters, learn about an immersive production of Great Comet coming to Florida next year, and more!
VIDEO: Watch Ben Rimalower and Daniel Nolen Talk Nell Carter & More on 'Tuesday, Thursday'- Live at 10:30am

Today, Ben's 'All Beef Patti' is Nell Carter's unrecorded Annie and Daniel's Who Do You Think You Are is Vivian Vance and 'I Love Lucy'. Tune in today, July 16 at 10:30am to watch live!
BWW Spotlight Series: Meet John Wuchte, a Talented Actor/Director/Writer/Composer and Tribal Acting Theater Creator

This Spotlight focuses on John Wuchte, a talented actor/director/writer/composer and amazing Tribal Acting theater creator, who I first met during last year's Hollywood Fringe Festival when I attended his masterful musical production Scarlett Fever which told the true story of the great search to find an actress to portray Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind in 1939. The production utilized John's unique style of performance, which he calls Tribal Acting; a combination of movement, gesture, song and dance, all accompanied by live percussion. And I was hooked!
CBS to Air I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL on December 20

I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, a new one-hour special featuring two back-to-back colorized episodes of the classic series, will be broadcast Friday, Dec. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Albuquerque Little Theatre Holds Ribbon Cutting To Unveil New Restrooms

Albuquerque Little Theatre (ALT) has come a long way since its inception in 1930. They are continuing their historic 90th Season with a bathroom grand opening coinciding with the opening of the production Mamma Mia! this Friday, October 11 at 7PM.
Albuquerque Little Theatre Launches 90th Season

Albuquerque Little Theatre (ALT) has come a long way since its inception in 1930. The group that founded the theatre was led by a local reporter and society editor for the New Mexico Tribune, Irene Fisher.
BWW Review: SIDEKICKED at Cape May Stage

A moving and memorable portrait of America's favorite sidekick. Vivian Vance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Vivian Vance been in?

Vivian Vance has appeared on Broadway in 10 shows.

How many West End shows has Vivian Vance been in?

Vivian Vance has not appeared in the West End

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