We forget that he was more than a straight man. He was, in fact, one of the first true TV moguls, and one of the first Latinos of any kind to be taken seriously in Hollywood. There was a time when you couldn’t turn on the TV without seeing the “Desilu” logo on a program—on any network, back in the day where there were only three and they ran the world. Even now, the focus tends to be on Lucille Ball, but Desi was more than just there—Desi ran the show, both figuratively and literally. And it’s worth taking a moment to remember just how powerful, successful, and admirable this Cuban gentleman was, for so very long.
Here’s a great interview with Desi in his last years, after he had happily retired, when he was enjoying his well-deserved rest and still—quite obviously—sharp as a knife and ready to work.
Enjoy.
