Desi Arnaz Jr., son of the famous “I Love Lucy” stars Desi Arnaz Sr. and Lucille Ball, made a name for himself in the 1970s starring alongside his mother in “Here’s Lucy.” So what has the actor/musician been up to lately, nearly 50 years later in 2024? At age 70, Arnaz Jr. stays active with music and philanthropy work, while also making select public appearances that honor his family’s legacy. In this article, we will learn about What is Desi Arnaz Jr. Doing Now.
Desi Arnaz Jr has gained a large number of fans of all ages. He said he is looking forward to holding a national tour and meeting fans. To show their support and love for her, fans often express their support for her through banners, flags, or Custom Pins Cheap at events.
Desi Arnaz Jr.’s Current Endeavors
Music Career
After cutting back on acting in the 1990s, Arnaz Jr. returned to his first love – music. He continues performing with his band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, at venues in Boulder, Colorado, and across the country. Their style incorporates jazz, funk, rock, and Latin rhythms.
“I just love playing music and entertaining people,” says Arnaz Jr.
He hopes to organize a national tour someday to allow more fans to experience their lively shows.
Involvement with Charities
Giving back has become one of Arnaz Jr.’s top priorities in recent years. He serves on the board of several Colorado non-profits that promote cultural arts and human services.
| Charity | Mission |
|---|---|
| Boulder City Ballet Company | Provides dance education and hosts public performances for the community |
| Historic Boulder Theater | Restores and maintains an iconic concert hall as a nonprofit venue |
| Wild Bear Nature Center | Offers environmental education programs for all ages |
“I want the magic of the arts to be accessible for people from all walks of life,” explains Arnaz Jr.
Recent Public Appearances
While he chooses to live a relatively quiet life these days, Arnaz Jr. still makes select appearances to celebrate his family’s legacy.
In 2022, he attended the screening of the “Desi Arnaz Gives Lucille Ball Her Big Break” episode of CNN’s docuseries History of the Sitcom. He reunited with 92-year-old co-star Vicki Lawrence and fondly reminisced about his experience on Here’s Lucy.
Arnaz Jr. also made an emotional appearance in the 2021 Lucy and Desi documentary by Prime Video, which explored the tumultuous relationship between his iconic parents. “Family meant everything to them,” he shared.
As a nod to his late father, Arnaz Jr. was a guest on NPR’s Radio Ambulante podcast in 2020 to discuss the impact of I Love Lucy and how it brought Hispanic culture into American living rooms.
How Arnaz Jr.’s Life Has Evolved Since His Heyday
Comparisons to Desi Arnaz Sr.
With shared talents in acting and music, Arnaz Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as an entertainer. But he remains humble about living up to Desi Sr.’s legacy as a television pioneer.
“No one will ever duplicate what Dad accomplished,” he told LatinHeat Entertainment. “I’m very proud just to be his son.”
Transition From Child Star to Working Actor
Arnaz Jr. first won fans playing Little Ricky on I Love Lucy. As he grew older, opportunities faded and he struggled to land roles.
“People had trouble not seeing me as just a silly kid,” he told Closer Weekly.
He worked odd jobs as a roadie and painter before returning to acting in his 20s. His turn as Craig Carter on Here’s Lucy revived his career.
Finding His Path
Though acting brought success, Arnaz Jr. realized music was his true passion. He formed The Dirty Dozen Brass Band in his 30s.
“My only regret is waiting so long to go back into music,” he told JazzWax. “But everything has its schedule, I guess.”
Prioritizing Family
With four marriages that ended in divorce, Arnaz Jr. admits relationships weren’t his strong suit historically. His two daughters live elsewhere, but he stays in touch and sees them a few times per year. Arnaz Jr. values his privacy in Colorado but remains friendly with fans who approach him locally.
Desi Arnaz Jr.’s Ongoing Relevance
Though semi-retired from acting, Arnaz Jr.’s imprint on pop culture continues through documentaries, syndicated re-runs, and even a new animated adult comedy on FOX that spoofs I Love Lucy.
“It reassures me that what my family created still brings joy to people,” he told Boulder Magazine.
Beyond his showbiz pedigree, Arnaz Jr. keeps his parents’ community-oriented spirit alive through his charity initiatives. Like Desi Sr. and Lucy themselves, he balances worldly success with hometown generosity.
Conclusion
Nearing his eighth decade, Desi Arnaz Jr. stays connected to his entertainment roots through music – his first love – while keeping a low-key lifestyle focused on philanthropy. Though he embraces opportunities to celebrate his family’s legacy, Arnaz Jr. remains humble in the face of comparisons to his legendary father. By sharing his time and talents with his local Colorado community, he upholds Desi Sr. and Lucy’s tradition of using fame as a platform for making a difference in people’s lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Desi Arnaz Jr. Doing Now
What is Desi Arnaz Jr.’s current retirement status?
Though he cut back on acting in the 1990s, 70-year-old Arnaz Jr. is not fully retired. He continues to perform live music with his band and participates in charity events and documentary projects related to his family’s legacy. However, he mostly chooses to live a quiet life focused on community work rather than seeking high-profile career opportunities.
Is Desi Arnaz Jr. working on any new projects lately?
Arnaz Jr.’s main creative outlet is his music – he still gigs locally with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and hopes to organize a national tour. He serves the arts more broadly through his charity involvement. Arnaz Jr. doesn’t have any known upcoming roles but remains open to participating in select documentaries about his storied Hollywood family.
How has Desi Arnaz Jr. contributed to philanthropy and activism over the years?
Arnaz Jr. currently serves on the boards of multiple Colorado nonprofits in the arts and human services fields, including the Boulder City Ballet Company, Historic Boulder Theater, and Wild Bear Nature Center. Through fundraising events, donations, and lending his celebrity profile, he supports access to dance education, concert venues, and environmental programs in his community.
What is Desi Arnaz Jr.’s involvement with the Boulder City Ballet Company?
Arnaz Jr. serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit Boulder City Ballet Company which provides dance education and public performances. He supports their mission through fundraising, securing corporate gifts and sponsorships, plus sharing publicity about their programs through his celebrity status. Arnaz Jr. also attends and promotes their popular annual production of The Nutcracker.
How has Desi Arnaz Jr. contributed to the Historic Boulder Theater?
As a Board Member, Arnaz Jr. helps the nonprofit Historic Boulder Theater raise funds to maintain their iconic concert hall through donations and special events. He has performed on stage with his band to sold-out crowds as a fundraiser. By lending his family’s star power, Arnaz Jr. boosts publicity so the Theater can continue operating and hosting performances.
What recent public appearances has Desi Arnaz Jr. made?
In the past few years, Arnaz Jr. has made select appearances celebrating his acting roots – he reunited with his Here’s Lucy co-star Vicki Lawrence at a film screening in 2022, participated in the 2021 documentary Lucy and Desi about his parents, and was interviewed for a 2020 podcast about his father’s legacy. He values opportunities to honor his family’s pop culture influence but limits his publicity schedule these days due to his quieter lifestyle.
How would you describe the current status of Desi Arnaz Jr.’s music career?
Though he stepped back from Hollywood decades ago, music remains Arnaz Jr.’s creative passion. He continues to perform locally regularly with his jazz/funk band The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and hopes to organize a nationwide tour so more fans can experience their high-energy shows. At 70, he has no plans to fully retire from the concert stage anytime soon.
What is known about Desi Arnaz Jr.’s family life in 2024?
Arnaz Jr. has been divorced four times and his two daughters live elsewhere, but he stays connected with them and tries to get together a few times annually. The 70-year-old doesn’t discuss any current relationships, however, he leads a quietly content life centered around music, charity work, and time with friends in his long-time Boulder, Colorado community. Arnaz Jr. remains friendly with fans who approach him locally.
How has Desi Arnaz Jr. built on the legacy of his famous entertainment family?
By forming his musical group The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and touring nationally, Arnaz Jr. has carried on his father’s creative gene by pursuing his career spotlight in the performing arts. He also pays homage to Desi Sr. and Lucy’s community spirit through his charity involvement in supporting culture and human services. Though he lives modestly, Arnaz Jr. continues bringing joy through his talents – much like his iconic parents did.
What has Desi Arnaz Jr. done professionally since his roles in “I Love Lucy” and “Here’s Lucy”?
After starring as Little Ricky in I Love Lucy as a child and on Here’s Lucy as a young adult in the 1970s, Arnaz Jr. took some career detours starting in the 1980s – he formed a musical group, worked odd jobs between acting gigs, and made guest appearances on shows like Automan and Murder, She Wrote. By the 1990s, Arnaz Jr. returned to his first love of music full-time, while acting only occasionally in later decades during retrospectives about his famous family.
How does Desi Arnaz Jr.’s career and legacy compare to that of his legendary father?
Desi Arnaz Sr. was a pioneer who broke barriers in 1950s television as co-founder of Desilu Studios alongside wife Lucille Ball. While Desi Jr. achieved his success most notably acting on Here’s Lucy, he remains humbled by comparisons to his father who revolutionized the entertainment industry. Arnaz Jr. honors his heritage through music and charity work but readily admits no one can duplicate Sr.’s wide-ranging cultural influence.
Where can I find documentaries and interviews featuring Desi Arnaz Jr.?
Recent projects capturing insights from Arnaz Jr. about his family include the 2022 History of the Sitcom docuseries, 2021’s Lucy and Desi film, and a 2020 appearance on NPR’s Radio Ambulante podcast. Archival interviews can also be found in bonus features accompanying I Love Lucy DVD collections. Arnaz Jr. limits his publicity schedule these days but occasionally participates in retrospectives celebrating the Arnaz family’s enduring pop culture legacy.
What are the best resources for learning more about Desi Arnaz Jr.’s background and career?
Key resources include Arnaz Jr.’s memoir A Little Bit Wicked, as well as biographies about his parents like Desilu and Lucy and Desi which covered his upbringing extensively. Video resources featuring Arnaz Jr. over the decades include Here’s Lucy reruns, a 60 Minutes interview from the 1990s, and more recently the History of the Sitcom and other retrospective projects documenting his family’s impact.
How has Desi Arnaz Jr. furthered Hispanic representation and cultural awareness?
By starring in Here’s Lucy in the 1970s, Arnaz Jr. carried on the pioneering legacy of his Cuban-American father Desi Sr. who integrated Hispanic culture into 1950s TV through I Love Lucy. Alongside sister Lucie Arnaz, Desi Jr. reminds modern generations of ongoing Latin American influence in Hollywood. In interviews, he also discusses heritage topics ranging from Desi Sr.’s immigrant background to Latin music rhythms that inspire his band.
What are Desi Arnaz Jr.’s perspectives on the current entertainment industry and media landscape?
Though mostly focused locally these days, Arnaz Jr. embraces the explosion of platforms exposing new audiences to classic programming like I Love Lucy through cable networks and streaming outlets. “It allows people to revisit what still works about those old shows,” he told KCNC-TV. While he participates selectively in projects documenting his family’s legacy, Arnaz Jr. chooses to avoid the 24/7 celebrity spotlight culture of social media and gossip outlets.
How does Desi Arnaz Jr. reflect on the legacy of Desi Arnaz Sr. and Lucille Ball as Hollywood legends?
“I’m just so proud of everything they accomplished at a time when the odds were against them,” Arnaz Jr. often shares publicly. Through their studio, Desilu and barrier-breaking programs like I Love Lucy, Ball, and Arnaz Sr. redefined roles for women and multicamera TV production. While his career took a more modest path, Arnaz Jr. stays committed to their community-oriented spirit by using his platform to support charity and culture locally in Boulder, Colorado.
What career challenges has Desi Arnaz Jr. faced over his decades in show business?
The pressures of boyhood fame took a toll on Arnaz Jr. After early success on I Love Lucy, he had trouble landing roles as a teenager and young adult, turned to alcohol, and struggled professionally before reestablishing himself on Here’s Lucy. Leaving Hollywood later on was partly necessary for self-care. “It was a hard industry that could beat you up,” he told AARP Magazine. Through ups and downs, Arnaz Jr.’s passion for music and quieter Colorado lifestyle ultimately revived both his spirit and career on his terms.
How has Desi Arnaz Jr. contributed to the performing arts community over the years?
In addition to his longtime music career with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band bringing joy to audiences nationwide, Arnaz Jr. contributes locally as a Board Member for performing arts non-profits – securing sponsorships for the Boulder City Ballet Company and helping maintain the historic Boulder Theater concert venue. By lending his family’s star power to promote and sustain community arts organizations, he carries on the creative legacy of his father and has helped provide access to dance, music, and more.
What plans and aspirations does Desi Arnaz Jr. have looking ahead?
Arnaz Jr. remains focused on local music performances and giving back through his charity work on arts/culture and human services boards into his 70s with no plans to fully retire from community life. He hopes to organize a national tour someday so more audiences can experience his band’s lively concerts. While acting offers may occasionally tempt him to revisit his Hollywood roots, Arnaz Jr.’s priorities center on staying active as a musician and philanthropist in his long-time Colorado community.
