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As Desi Arnaz became deeply involved in the suffering of alcoholism, he turned to his son.
“Deghi’s second wife has passed away,” author Todd S. Pudum told Fox News Digital. “He was alone. He knew he was drinking too much. He knew he would drink and die. And he turned to Deji Junior.
“His son said, ‘I can’t help you, but I know where I can,” Perdham said. “Deji was smart enough to know that he was abandoning his life. He was in horrific sadness and mourning… he was secluded himself. He realized that he had to change something or would die.”
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Digiarnaz (1917-1986) with his son Digiarnaz Jr. at NBC Studios in New York City around 1980. (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
The entertainer famously starred in the sitcom in the 50s as Ricky Riccardo on the other side of his first wife Lucille Ball “I Love Lucy,” and died in 1986 at the age of 69 of lung cancer.
He is now the subject of a new biographer by Purdum, “Digital Naz: The Man Who Invented Television” We explore the late actor’s rise to stardom, how he revolutionized television production, and his final year. For this book, 72-year-old Arnaz Jr. gave an unusual interview.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz will pose for costume and make-up tests, filmed a few days before the first “I Love Lucy” episode was produced in 1951. (CBS via Getty Images)
“His sister, Lucy Arnas, was an invaluable help to me,” Perdham said. “She worked together from the start and got access to family letters and documents. Before she was interviewed for a record-breaking interview, she gave a series of lengthy talks with Desi Jr., and I thought he understood that he was trying to tell the story of his father.
Digi Arnaz Jr. and Lucy Arnaz will be attending “Tropicana Night: Salute to Music of “I Love Lucy”” at Paley Media’s Paley Center on December 9, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Becstar/Film Magic/Getty Images)
“I think he saw me trying to understand his father, whether he made him Tikki, he made him so talented, and the power that undermined him later in his life when he was swallowed up by alcoholism and depression,” Purdum shared.
The Digiarnaz performed on stage around 1975. In 1985 he participated in the alcohol rehabilitation program at Scripps MacDonald’s Center in La Jolla, California. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
According to Purdum, Desi Jr. sought treatment in 1981. His father took part in an alcohol rehabilitation program in 1985 under the name “Bill Sanchez” to protect his privacy. Before seeking help, Lucy recalls how her father called Desi Junior and pleads, “I need help, I don’t want to die.”
At first, Arnaz resisted treatment. A few days later, he left the hospital.
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Lucy Arnaz spoke to author Todd S. Perdham about her father’s decision to seek treatment for alcoholism. (Getty Images)
“Digi was proud,” Perdum said. “He believed you shouldn’t air your dirty linen publicly or talk about it with other people, he was so stubborn.
Still, Arnaz returned to the program and lasted.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz hoped that “I love Lucy” would save their marriage. I didn’t do that. (Getty Images)
“We were there for him. It was the proudest moment of my life. Lucy, 73, said when he stood up and said, ‘My name is Desi and I’m an alcoholic.’ “I cried out my eyes. I was so proud of him.”
“Digia Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television” is now available. (Simon & Schuster)
Perdum explained how Arnaz turned into a bottle long before Hollywood’s success, long before he had his painful past owned.
“I think Desi was suffering from what we now call PTSD,” Purdum explained. “He had Leave everything behind in Cuba When he was a teenager. His family lost everything to the revolution. They came to this country without pennies in their pockets.
Desi Arnaz will appear as executive director at the sound booth. (Getty Images)
“I think the aftermath of that mess has hit him for the rest of his life…and certainly there was the stress of running a big-growing business as a mogul. I think he was a few self-anaesthesia, some relief, and a safety valve he turned.”
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“He writes in his memoirs He always enjoyed drinking, “Purdum continued.” He had always had a huge desire for drinking… he loved food, drinks, women, and songs. And he seemed to have taken a handful of people into his life. ”
Arnaz and Ball said in 1940, “I.” Their marriage was troubled by problems, mainly due to their separate careers, along with the feminization and drinking of Arnaz. Premiering in 1951, “Love Lucy” was designed to save a marriage. Associated Press It has been reported.
Digiarnaz and Lucille Ball appeared in the film in the 1940s before filming a new medium called television. (Mondedori via Getty Images)
“One of the wrong things was… starting a show so they could get together,” Purdum said. “They were able to live and work together in Los Angeles. Desi was on their way with his band. Lucille was making films in Hollywood. They were often separated. To save their marriage.
Musician and actor Digiarnaz plays the conga drums. (George Lynne Hart/Corvis via Getty Images)
“But there’s the tension from being together 24/7. There’s tension not only at home, but at work. It puts a lot of pressure on any relationship… And Desi has become prey to drinking as he’s more successful.”
“He was out of control, both in his alcohol consumption and feminization,” Purdum said. “I think it’s too much for Lucille to take, but they kept connected at all times. They never stopped loving each other. But I’m sure that… But I think all the pressure they faced is a huge burden for everyone. And I think it was reflected in their lives.”
Digiarnaz and his new bride Lucille Ball in the dressing room at the Roxy Theatre around 1940. (Getty Images)
According to the book, some of the couple’s friends claimed that the final straw of the ball came when they found Arnaz “with two hookers” at the guesthouse. Ball told several of her best friends that it was her who asked for divorce.
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Digi had wandering eyes throughout her marriage to Lucille Ball. (Getty Images)
“She always doubted he knew he was dishonest towards her…but it was private,” Perdum said. “Lucille didn’t like it, but I think she can accept it… [But] Then it was very public. It was written in a tabloid when Desi was arrested for intoxicatedly weaving in the streets of Hollywood in a brothel neighborhood. I think it will be overwhelming for her and too much to incorporate into public. ”
Digital Arnaz is about Lucille Ball and Digital Arnaz over business problems. Their marriage ended in 1960. (Getty Images)
“I think she was also worried about the sacrifice that their fight was taking over the children. She said at one point that the children saw too much tension between their parents and heard it.
Arnaz and Ball’s children told Purdum that they knew their parents loved them and did their best they could.
Digi Junior, the children of Lucy and Desi Arnaz, riding on the liner “SS Liberte” on a voyage to Europe around 1959. (Parade of Art/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
“They both know how their parents lack,” Purdum said. “They also realize that living in that reality must have been very complicated.”
Arnaz and the ball I quit in 1960. Both proceeded to remarry, tied the knot with Gary Morton in 1961 and the ball to Edith Mac Hirsch in 1963.
Desi Arnaz and his bride Edith Mac Hirsch, 45, hugged him after their wedding at the Sands Hotel around 1963. (Getty Images)
“He married a happy marriage to Eddie, a friend he knew,” Perdham said. “He wasn’t loyal to her either, because it’s how he appears to have been wired. But I think Lucille was the great love of his life and he was the great love of her life.
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Digiarnaz can be seen here doing a monologue on Saturday Night Live in 1976. At the time, the actor was facing alcoholism. (NBCU Photobank/Getty Images)
He never again drank it after Arnaz asked for alcohol treatment. However, just a year after sought help, he faced a major blow when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
When he was dead, he and Ball had a “long story” when they remembered the past. Their last words were “I Love You” on November 30th, 1986.
Two days later, Arnaz has passed away.
Digiarnaz is famous for starring as Ricky Riccardo in “I Love Lucy.” (CBS via Getty Images)
“He was too late,” Perdham said. “I think that’s one of the very sad things about the final part of his story. He had the courage to face some of his problems in the end, but it wasn’t in time to save his life.”
“For his children, Desi was complicated, but extremely loving, talented and self-taught foresight,” Perdham said. “Ricky Riccardo is a great character and Desi did a good job playing him, but he’s not just the one who played the drums and is funny. He’s an amazing person and I think it’s really worth knowing.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
