Vivian Vance

Vivian Vance (July 26 1909 – August 17, 1979) was an Emmy Award-winning American actress and singer best known for her role as Ethel Mertz on the classic American sitcom I Love Lucy. She was born in Cherryvale, Kansas, and began life as Vivian Jones.

Early career and I Love Lucy

Vance was raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During the early years of her career, she was featured in a few films, but worked primarily as a theater actress, appearing in 38 stage productions during her career. She was Ethel Merman's understudy in Cole Porter's Anything Goes (1934) and appeared in Hooray for What! (1937) with Ed Wynn, Burlesque with Gypsy Rose Lee, and Skylark (1939) with Gertrude Lawrence. Vance also appeared in supporting roles in a few major Hollywood movies, such as The Secret Fury (1950) and The Blue Veil (1951).

When Desi Arnaz was casting his new sitcom I Love Lucy, starring himself and wife Lucille Ball, Ball's first choice for the role of friend and landlady Ethel Mertz was Bea Benaderet. Benaderet was unavailable due to a previous commitment as one of the neighbors on the Burns and Allen show, so Arnaz began searching for another actress. He found her in the La Jolla Playhouse production of John Van Druten's play The Voice of the Turtle. Upon seeing Vance, Arnaz knew he had found the perfect Ethel. Ball was less sure, since she had envisioned Ethel Mertz as much older and less attractive than Vance.

A youthful-looking woman, Vance was required to wear frumpy clothes on the show that were actually a size smaller than normal, so that she would appear overweight. Vance's character, Ethel, was the less-than-prosperous landlady of a New York City brownstone, owned by her and husband Fred Mertz, played by William Frawley. Vance and Frawley, who was 22 years her senior, struck great comic sparks together on set, but in real life they did not get along. Those connected with the series recall that Frawley loathed Vance practically on sight. Vance, in turn, was put off by Frawley's cantankerous ways, in addition to his age. "He ought to be playing my father," she complained. Vance's then husband, Phil Ober, occasionally played guest roles on the series, most notably as producer Dore Schary in one of the Hollywood episodes.

In 1954, Vance won an Emmy Award as "Best Supporting Actress." She was nominated an additional three times before the end of the series.

Vance and Frawley were given the opportunity to begin their own Fred and Ethel spin-off once Lucy had run its course in 1957. Although Frawley was interested, Vance stated she had no interest in working with him. (Reportedly, Vance heard of Frawley's death when she was throwing a party in Hollywood. Upon receiving the news, she exclaimed, "Champagne for everyone!") However, she did consent to play Ethel Mertz on The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957-1960). Perhaps unbeknownst to Vance, every time her agent negotiated a salary increase for her, boss Desi Arnaz would give Frawley the same pay hike.

The Lucy Show

In 1962, when Ball was planning to return to television in a new series, she asked Vance to join her on the small screen once again. Vance agreed, with the stipulation that she be allowed to appear in more glamorous clothes, and that her character be named "Vivian". (She was tired of the public addressing her as "Ethel".) She appeared on The Lucy Show from 1962 until 1965, as Vivian Bagley, a divorced mother of one son, sharing a house with Ball's character. Vance remained with the show for three of its six years before retiring to Connecticut. She made a handful of guest appearances on The Lucy Show's remaining seasons. In one hilarious guest appearance, Vivian, along with Lucy, got to dress up as a hippie on a visit to the Sunset Strip, do a crazy dance, and sing a bit.

Later Years

Over the next several years, Vance appeared occasionally alongside Ball on reunion shows and for guest appearances on Here's Lucy (1968-74). She also appeared in The Great Race (1965) as the suffragette wife of the newspaper editor. During the mid-1970s, she took small roles on television series such as Love, American Style (1969) and Rhoda (1974) and TV movies such as The Great Houdini (1976).

Her final television appearance was on the last CBS Lucy production, Lucy Calls the President, which aired November 21 1977, and featured many of the cast members from The Lucy Show.

It was during this period Vance played the part of Maxine, who wheeled around a catering truck, dispensing Maxwell House coffee to office workers in a series of television commercials.

Vance was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977. The disease eventually spread to her bones. She died on August 17, 1979 at age 70.

Vivian Vance played a significant part in the history of television. She defined the role of second banana, paving the way for future female sidekicks. She was also the first person to win the Best Supporting Actress Emmy.

Legacy

Every Memorial Day weekend, the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, New York organizes a weekend celebration commemorating Lucy and Desi's contributions to the entertainment industry. On May 26, 2007, the Center will hold a special tribute to Vivian. Her sister, Lou Ann Graham, will be present. [1]

Emmy Awards

• 1954: Won - Best Series Supporting Actress for: "I Love Lucy"
• 1955: Nominated - Best Supporting Actress in a Regular Series for: "I Love Lucy"
• 1957: Nominated - Best Supporting Performance by an Actress for: "I Love Lucy"
• 1958: Nominated - Best Continuing Supporting Performance by an Actress in a Dramatic or Comedy Series for: "I Love Lucy"

Miscellaneous facts

• A common misconception is that Vance was contractually obligated to be 20 pounds overweight during her entire run on I Love Lucy due to Lucille Ball's concern that she would not appear as attractive if Vance was allowed to appear as she naturally was. This misconception is fueled by Vance's natural weight gain and loss through the years on the show. It is, however, untrue. ([2])

• Grew up in same town as silent star Louise Brooks who was a sometime play companion.

• In a Lucy parody on the sitcom That 70's Show, Debra Jo Rupp bears a significant resemblance to Vivian on her role as Ethel Mertz. The parody also features Wilmer Valderrama as Ricky, Laura Prepon as Lucy, and Kurtwood Smith as Fred.

Reference

The Other Side of Ethel Mertz: The Life Story of Vivian Vance by Frank Castelluccio & Alvin Walker, published by Knowledge, Ideas & Trends, Inc. (1998)

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