Vivian Vance often mentioned that she didn't like being typecast into Ethel Mertz in I Love Lucy. In her Broadway musicals prior to I Love Lucy days, Viv had always played "the other women" roles. She was the glamorous, sexy, beautiful and seductive other woman, and playing Ethel Mertz forever "ruined her career", as she had mentioned in Dean Martin Roast Lucy. In this video, you catch a glimpse of how the other side of Ethel Mertz really is.
The biggest blessing for making I Love Lucy was to meet Lucille Ball. Not only had they become sisters, Lucy also taught Viv to be stronger emotionally. Lucy played a role in encouraging Viv to file for divorce from her abusive husband, Philip Ober. Of course, Viv went on to marry a writer and lived happily after.
The biggest blessing for making I Love Lucy was to meet Lucille Ball. Not only had they become sisters, Lucy also taught Viv to be stronger emotionally. Lucy played a role in encouraging Viv to file for divorce from her abusive husband, Philip Ober. Of course, Viv went on to marry a writer and lived happily after.