He was born December 1, 1950, in Lafayette, Louisiana and his last name is not Arnaz. Keith Thibodeaux, better known to our generation as I Love Lucy's "Little Ricky", kindly agreed to spend time with us. In speaking with Keith I was genuinely impressed with his honesty and sincerity about his life.
His talents with drums is the reason why his parents took him west, eventually landing him the role of Little Ricky. "I never had a lesson," Keith says. "My talent for playing the drums was a gift from God. Dad bought me a toy drum one Christmas, and I eventually destroyed it. I wanted a real drum and he bought me a snare drum. Dad continued to buy me one drum after the other."
He soon began performing and winning at local Louisiana talent contests .Eventually Keith's Dad quit his job at United Gas Company and accompanied his son as they toured the U.S. and Canada. But it wasn't until two years later that the father and son would walk into Desilu Studios in California and change television history. That was the day Keith Thibodeaux auditioned for the part of Little Ricky.
When Keith walked into the studio in 1956, he was unaware that over two hundred youngsters had already auditioned for the part of Little Ricky, the new TV son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. After being introduced to Lucille Ball, the redhead asked Lionel Thibodeaux if his son had studied acting. When she was told that he had not, Lucy impatiently asked, "Well, what does he do?"
"He's a drummer," the elder Thibodeaux replied. Desi Arnaz walked in at that point and introduced himself. It was then that someone noticed a set of drums on the adjoining set of "The Danny Thomas Show". Everyone walked over to the drums and an air of excitement came over Lucy and Desi as Keith began to play. Desi walked over and asked if he could play. They alternated back and forth on the drums for a while before Keith Thibodeaux heard Lucy exclaim, "This is the kid! This is him! This is Little Ricky!"
Not only did the youngster have the musical talent to portray a bandleader's son on television; he also resembled his soon-to-be TV dad. Apparently, that was enough for Desi and Lucy, and "the drummer from Bunkie, Louisiana" was signed on as Little Ricky. The role of Little Ricky made Thibodeaux the most well-known child actor on television over the next four years. In fact, many of us believed that Keith was Lucy and Desi's own son. One of the reasons was that Lucille Ball gave birth to Desi Arnaz, Jr., the same day that the episode of Little Ricky's birth aired on television. The coincidental births made many television viewers think that Little Ricky's character and Desi Arnaz Jr. were one in the same. Some still do to this day.
Keith made his debut on "I Love Lucy" shortly after his audition. A Hollywood heavyweight often guest starred on the show and that was the case with his initial episode. Bob Hope portrayed himself in a guest star appearance, and Lucy disguised herself as an usher at a baseball stadium in an attempt to talk to the Hollywood legend. Hope ends up getting hit in the head with a foul ball due to the redhead's constant distractions. Even though it marked his debut and was a memorable episode, it was not the one that Keith remembers the most. His favorite episode came when George Reeves appeared on the show as Superman. "Superman was my hero at the time," Keith says. "George Reeves was really Superman in my eyes. For him to come on the set and be there was a treat for me. When he shook hands with me I thought, 'He really is Superman.'"
Keith became quite close with Lucy and Desi while working on the show. He was a frequent guest at the Arnaz household, and spent a lot of time with the couple's children, Lucie and Desi Jr. "We were childhood friends. In fact, I was one of the few trusted people that Lucy allowed to play with their kids. I spent time at their summer home, rode horses at their ranch, and swam at their beach house. I even spent a Christmas with them at Palm Springs one year."
"The first thing I think of when I hear the name of Lucille Ball is a Hollywood legend. I have fond memories of growing up at her house, but she was a different person off the set than she was on the set. She was very professional in the studio. The cast called her Lucy, but everyone else called her Mrs. Ball. She was honest with people. If she liked you, you knew it. If she didn't, you knew it, also. "Lucy took care of me on the set, and made sure that none of the crew cussed around me. She also had birthday parties for me and made sure that they were well attended. She and Desi gave me many gifts over the years - among them were a bicycle, a full-size Indian teepee, and a set of drums, in fact I cherish that set of drums. To this day I play them."
Keith also has fond memories of co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance who played Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's best friends and neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz on the show. "Bill (William Frawley) was just a good ole boy. He was sort of like his character on the show. He would meet me at the doughnut table and ask, 'How's the world treating you today, Keith?' Many of the older Hollywood actors didn't have much to do with kids, and I remember that it meant a lot for him to speak to me every morning." At the time, Vivian Vance was married to Fort Payne, Ala. native Phillip Ober. "She was a nice lady who came there to do her job. We got along well and I called her Viv. She knew her role to play in the show and she did it well."
"I Love Lucy" ended in 1960 when Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz divorced. Keith continued his acting career by appearing on a number of television episodes, including "The Shirley Temple Playhouse," "The Farmer's Daughter," "The Joey Bishop Show," "Route 66," and many others. In 1962, he appeared on another weekly television show that, like "I Love Lucy", was to make TV history, The Andy Griffith Show...playing the role of Opie's best friend.
Keith eventually left acting and joined the popular rock group, David and the Giants. Almost immediately Thibodeaux's alcohol and drug abuse escalated, something that had began during his high school years. His life seemed to spiral out of control over the next few years until two major events occurred in his life. In 1976 he met Kathy Denton at a David and the Giants concert in Jackson, Mississippi. The couple was married after a three-month whirlwind courtship, and Thibodeaux left the rock band.
"It was definitely a turning point in my life. It was like I met someone who was sent from God. The second major event happened in 1978 when Keith Thibodeaux was baptized as a Christian. Christianity had been something that the drummer had flirted with in the past. Yet, this time it seemed different. He said that he truly felt like a new man, and that the world looked different to him. Things had also changed for David and the Giants. The leader of the band, David Huff, as well as his twin brothers Clayborn and Rayborn, had accepted Christ and became Christians. In 1979 Thibodeaux rejoined the band, now a Christian version of David and the Giants, and remained with them until 1989.
While her husband was performing with David and the Giants in 1986, Kathy Thibodeaux founded Ballet Magnificat!, the world's premier Christian ballet company. Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, the touring company performs all over the world. Keith became the executive director of Ballet Magnificat! in 1989. He spends much of his time traveling with the touring company, assisting in scheduling ballet performances, and overseeing the concerts. www.balletmagnificat.com
Keith's career has afforded him the chance to spend time in the New Jersey area. As a member of our generation he appreciates our life experiences and is proud to have been a part of TV history. However, when asked what does it feel like to look back and see himself on the show Keith was quick to point out, "Rich, I honestly can't say when I last saw a show. As proud as I am of that experience I realize that was then and I now concentrate on life ahead". Keith shared with me in detail the many highs and lows in his life and how he came around to living a faith based life. Keith's interest in speaking with me was to share that no matter the age or stage of life we find ourselves in he simply asks that we all take time to step back, take a deep breath and ask ourselves if we are truly happy with the way we are living our lives. In Keith's case, his choices have made him someone grounded and I have to say, a pleasure to speak with. He, in return, was impressed with our class unity and the efforts we make to stay in touch with each other.
Yes, Little Ricky had been a childhood star while growing up. He led a perfect childhood and had perfect parents. But Little Ricky was only make-believe, someone who was simply a character on my family's old black and white television set. Keith Thibodeaux is a real person with real qualities. I can honestly say he loves his God, his family, and realizes life is a gift. After our conversation, I was truly impressed...not with the fact that I just shared time with the iconic TV kid but with the man he is now.
When Keith walked into the studio in 1956, he was unaware that over two hundred youngsters had already auditioned for the part of Little Ricky, the new TV son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. After being introduced to Lucille Ball, the redhead asked Lionel Thibodeaux if his son had studied acting. When she was told that he had not, Lucy impatiently asked, "Well, what does he do?"
"He's a drummer," the elder Thibodeaux replied. Desi Arnaz walked in at that point and introduced himself. It was then that someone noticed a set of drums on the adjoining set of "The Danny Thomas Show". Everyone walked over to the drums and an air of excitement came over Lucy and Desi as Keith began to play. Desi walked over and asked if he could play. They alternated back and forth on the drums for a while before Keith Thibodeaux heard Lucy exclaim, "This is the kid! This is him! This is Little Ricky!"
Not only did the youngster have the musical talent to portray a bandleader's son on television; he also resembled his soon-to-be TV dad. Apparently, that was enough for Desi and Lucy, and "the drummer from Bunkie, Louisiana" was signed on as Little Ricky. The role of Little Ricky made Thibodeaux the most well-known child actor on television over the next four years. In fact, many of us believed that Keith was Lucy and Desi's own son. One of the reasons was that Lucille Ball gave birth to Desi Arnaz, Jr., the same day that the episode of Little Ricky's birth aired on television. The coincidental births made many television viewers think that Little Ricky's character and Desi Arnaz Jr. were one in the same. Some still do to this day.
Keith became quite close with Lucy and Desi while working on the show. He was a frequent guest at the Arnaz household, and spent a lot of time with the couple's children, Lucie and Desi Jr. "We were childhood friends. In fact, I was one of the few trusted people that Lucy allowed to play with their kids. I spent time at their summer home, rode horses at their ranch, and swam at their beach house. I even spent a Christmas with them at Palm Springs one year."
Keith also has fond memories of co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance who played Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's best friends and neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz on the show. "Bill (William Frawley) was just a good ole boy. He was sort of like his character on the show. He would meet me at the doughnut table and ask, 'How's the world treating you today, Keith?' Many of the older Hollywood actors didn't have much to do with kids, and I remember that it meant a lot for him to speak to me every morning." At the time, Vivian Vance was married to Fort Payne, Ala. native Phillip Ober. "She was a nice lady who came there to do her job. We got along well and I called her Viv. She knew her role to play in the show and she did it well."
"I Love Lucy" ended in 1960 when Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz divorced. Keith continued his acting career by appearing on a number of television episodes, including "The Shirley Temple Playhouse," "The Farmer's Daughter," "The Joey Bishop Show," "Route 66," and many others. In 1962, he appeared on another weekly television show that, like "I Love Lucy", was to make TV history, The Andy Griffith Show...playing the role of Opie's best friend.
"It was definitely a turning point in my life. It was like I met someone who was sent from God. The second major event happened in 1978 when Keith Thibodeaux was baptized as a Christian. Christianity had been something that the drummer had flirted with in the past. Yet, this time it seemed different. He said that he truly felt like a new man, and that the world looked different to him. Things had also changed for David and the Giants. The leader of the band, David Huff, as well as his twin brothers Clayborn and Rayborn, had accepted Christ and became Christians. In 1979 Thibodeaux rejoined the band, now a Christian version of David and the Giants, and remained with them until 1989.
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