Comedic Icons:Comedic Icons:Lucille Ball &Lucille Ball &

Robin WilliamsRobin WilliamsPhoebe GydesenPhoebe Gydesen

World History- H Pd. 6World History- H Pd. 6Semester PresentationSemester Presentation

I have two children.I have two children.

I was born on August 6, 1911.

I was born on August 6, 1911.

I’ve appeared in over 75 different films spanning several

decades.

I’ve appeared in over 75 different films spanning several

decades.

I was kicked out of the John Murray

Anderson School for the Dramatic Arts.

I was kicked out of the John Murray

Anderson School for the Dramatic Arts.

I starred in a comedy that dominated

television for six years and is still considered a

classic.

I starred in a comedy that dominated

television for six years and is still considered a

classic.

My father died when I was only three.

My father died when I was only three.I’m a red-head.I’m a red-head.

I was one of the first women to pioneer the

filming industry by becoming an executive

producer.

I was one of the first women to pioneer the

filming industry by becoming an executive

producer.

I married Desidario Alberto Arnaz y de

Acha III.

I married Desidario Alberto Arnaz y de

Acha III.

Who Am I?Who Am I?

I’m The Queen of Comedy: Lucille Desiree Ball.

I’m The Queen of Comedy: Lucille Desiree Ball.

I was born on July 21, 1951.

I was bullied during much of my childhood.

I’ve played a pirate, nanny, genie, and dead president.

I’ve played a pirate, nanny, genie, and dead president.

I won a full scholarship to Julliard.

I won a full scholarship to Julliard.

I got my first big break as “Mork” on

Happy Days.

I got my first big break as “Mork” on

Happy Days.

I’m an actor, comedian, and father.

I’ve starred in numerous films and

been nominated for a great deal of awards.

I’ve received an Oscar for best

supporting actor.

I was best friends with Christopher Reeves.

I was best friends with Christopher Reeves.

Who Am I?Who Am I?

I’m Robin McLaurin Williams.

I’m Robin McLaurin Williams.

Lucille Ball

Early Childhood

• Born- August 6 1911, – Jamestown, New York

• Daughter of Henry Durrell Ball and Desiree Evelyn Hunt Ball

• February 1915-Lucy’s father dies of typhoid fever

• Lucy and brother Frederick raised by her mother and grandparents

Adolescent Years

• Frequently attended vaudeville shows with her family

• Her grandfather encouraged her to participate in school plays and her own

Lucy’s Career Beginning

• 1927- Lucy sent to the John Murray Anderson School for the Dramatic Arts in New York City

• Sent home a few weeks later when drama coaches told her that she "had no future at all as a performer”

Lucy’s Career

• 1933 - Went to Hollywood as movie showgirl

• Later, became successful actress appearing in more than 75 films – Under contract with Sam

Goodwin, Columbia and RKO

• 1940 - Married Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III (Desi Arnaz) – Cuban percussionist

she met while filming the movie Too Many Girls

• 1948- Lucille cast in CBS Radio program – Cast as Liz Cugat in

“My Favorite Husband”

I Love Lucy

• 1951 – Desi and Lucy formed Desilu Productions with $5,000.

• I Love Lucy began six year domination of TV comedy.

• Lucie Desiree Arnaz born on July 17, 1951.

• 1953 - I Love Lucy episode in which Lucy Ricardo gave birth to Little Ricky in telecast on January 19, 1953, – Same day that Lucille

gave birth to second child Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y Acha IV (Desi, Jr.).

Lucy’s Career Continues

• 1957 - Desilu purchased RKO Studios and began producing other TV programs

• 1960 - The Arnaz’s divorce and Desi sold his share of the studio to Lucy for 3 million dollars.

• 1961 - Lucy married Morton Goldapper (Gary Morton), who became her executive producer

• 1962 - Lucille returned to the airwaves with a successful solo launch of The Lucy Show

• 1967 - Lucy sold Desilu to Gulf and Western Industries for 18 million dollars.

• 1974 - Lucille played the title role in the movie version of Mame

• 1985 – In first dramatic role in years, Lucy played a New York City bag lady in the CBS teleplay Stone Pillow

• 1986 - Life With Lucy was launched by ABC – Despite hard work, was

not successful

Accomplishments• 1953- Received first two

Emmy Awards, for Best Comedienne and Best Situation Comedy on the Air

• December 17, 1986, honored with an award for life-long achievement at Kennedy Center by President Reagan.

Lucille’s Legacy

• 1989 - On April 18, Lucille underwent emergency heart surgery

• She died a week later on April 26, 1989.

• Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush on July 6,1989

• Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of the Century”

• Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame

• 2007- Awarded the Legacy of Laughter Award at the fifth Annual TV Land Awards

• I Love Lucy was named the Greatest TV Series by Hall of Fame Magazine

• Chosen second out of the 50 Greatest TV Icons

LucilleDesireeBall

“The Queen of Comedy”

Robin Williams

Early Childhood

• Robin McLaurin Williams

• Born- July, 21 1951– Chicago, Illinois

• Father, Robert, executive for Ford Motor Company

• Mother, Laurie, retired fashion model

• Robin was bullied during his much of his childhood

• Had weight problems – Spent most of his time in his

parents’ house

Adolescent Years

• Eventually conquered his “fat” label – Went out for track and

wrestling

• Realized that his ability to make others laugh could help him gain respect from kids

• When Robin was 16, his father retired early

• The family moved to California– Graduated from

Redwood High School in 1969

• After high school, attended Claremont Men’s College– Studied political

science & played soccer

• Took improvisation classes

• Entered College of Marin to study acting

• Won a full scholarship to Juilliard College

• While at Julliard:– Studied with

Christopher Reeve & became lifelong friends

– Met his first wife, Valerie Velardi

Robin’s Career Beginning• Practiced stand up comedy

& left acting in pursuit of a career as a comedian

• In 1977, Williams won a spot on The Richard Pryor Show

• Got his first big break as “Mork” on Happy Days

• Sparked the show Mork and Mindy– Show earned him his first

Golden Globe in 1979

• 1980- Took the title role in Robert Altman's “Popeye”

• 1982- Williams battle with drugs and alcohol had negative effects on his personal life

Robin’s Career

• Robin did five more films before his first break-through role

• “Good Morning, Vietnam”– Earned first Academy

Award nomination & second Golden Globe win

• 1987- Valerie and Robin separate

• 1989- Williams marries Marsha Garces

• The same year Williams starred in “Dead Poet’s Society”– This earned him his

second Oscar nomination

Movie Madness

• 1991- Stars in “The Fisher King”- acclaimed as his best film to date

• Also starred in Steven Spielberg’s “Hook”

• Williams proved his skill as a voice actor in the 1992 film “Aladdin” as the Genie

Mrs. Doubtfire

• Wife Marsha runs across “Mrs. Doubtfire” script & suggests it to Robin

• Earned 200 million in the box office and a Golden Globe Award for Williams

• 1995- Received an Emmy nomination for a brief role in the TV programme Homicide: Life On The Streets

• Filmed “Jumanji” the same year

• Starred in the 1996 film “The Birdcage”

• The same year, Williams played the lead in “Jack”

• 1997 was a superb year for Robin

• The hit film “Flubber” started off the 1997 year

• “Good Will Hunting” earned Williams his first Academy Award– Best Actor in a

Supporting Role

Accomplishments• Academy Award

– Best Actor in a Supporting Role• “Good Will Hunting”

• Emmy Award – Best Individual Role in a

Variety or Music Program• Carol and Carl and Whoopi and

Robin

• Golden Globe Awards– Best Actor- Motion Picture,

Musical, or Comedy• Good Morning Vietnam• The Fisher King• Mrs. Doubtfire

• Golden Globe Awards– Best Actor in a Television

Comedy or Musical• Mork and Mindy

– Cecil B. DeMille Award• Grammy Awards– Best Comedy Album

• Reality…What a Concept• A Night at the Met• Good Morning, Vietnam

• Grammy Awards– Best Spoken Comedy

Album• Robin Williams- Live 2002

• Screen Actors Guild Awards– Best Cast in a Motion

Picture• The Birdcage

– Best Supporting Actor- Motion Picture• Good Will Hunting

• Numerous American Comedy Awards spanning three decades

Robin’s Legacy• Robin Williams is known

around the world for his entertaining skills.

• He is also involved in many philanthropic projects, including the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

• His works will undoubtedly continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Robin McLaurin Williams