The Desi Arnaz Collection consists of Arnaz's personal notes and materials for his autobiography, A Book, and production materials from both "Desilu Productions" and "Desi Arnaz Productions, Inc." (DAPI). The Desilu Production items include films and related documents from 1951 to 1962.

From the mid 1930s until the early 1970s, Desi Arnaz, born Desiderio Alberto Arnaz de Archa III on March 2, 1917, achieved prominence first as a musician and later in film and television. After leaving Cuba in 1933 due to the arrival of the Batista government, Desi and his mother fled to Miami, Florida, where his father later joined them. Desi Arnaz joined Xaiver Cugat's band in 1934 and toured with the group before striking out on his own. Earning renown as the "Miami Rhumba King," the musician and eventual bandleader went north to perform in New York nightclubs. In 1939 he starred in the Broadway production of "Too Many Girls." When RKO Pictures in Hollywood purchased the play in 1940, Arnaz made his motion picture debut in the film version. He reprised his role as the lead character, playing opposite Lucille Ball (1911-1989). Their meeting began a relationship that led to their marriage later that year. The couple purchased property in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley, which they named the Desilu Ranch.

13.00 Linear Feet

The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.  Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

This collection is open for research. Permission for commercial use or non-scholarly research must be obtained from the executors of the of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball estates, which are maintained through the partnership of Desilu Too. No copying or photography from this collection is allowed without prior permission from Desilu Too. All rights to materials in the collection must be obtained in writing from "Desilu too." It is the responsibility of the researcher to assure that all legal qualifications have been met prior to publication.