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Knowing how much Mom liked
Michael Stern I knew his book would be honest -- and it is. I Had A
Ball is full of stories no one but Michael would know. His friendship
with Mom is evident on every page. A good read. Thank you Michael. |
Michael's memories
are my memories, only clearer. What a talent for details! It was very
moving for me to relive so much of our lives through Michael's eyes.
Very entertaining. Charming. And, more importantly, true. As Mom wrote
on one of her photos to him, 'Happy Thoughts'. -- Lucie
Arnaz
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Hi! My name is Michael Stern.
Back
in 1971 I was fortunate enough to see Lucille Ball, live and
in-person in glorious living Technicolor, at a filming of "Here's
Lucy". I was only ten years old but that studio visit
literally changed my life. Over the next few years I was
lucky enough to be in her presence and her audience on four more
occasions. I would sit, absolutely enthralled, in
Lucy's in-person audience, totally smitten with the lady and her charms
and her talents. Little did I know she would soon become an
incredibly important part of my life. And then Lucy said, "... In 1974, after having enjoyed a number of occasions in her company, Lucille Ball remarked for the first time that I was her number one fan. Wow! Was I surprised, honored and proud! It was a verbal honor she was later to repeat and on the air, when she guested on an episode of "America Alive." In the late 1970's the famous redhead's maternal instinct surfaced, and she took me aside, telling me to stay in school and get a job. So I went about getting my first after-school job working in the linen section of a local department store. Within a few months, you'll never believe who came in, totally astonishing my fellow employees -- and the bosses -- and bringing her old film pal and partner, Mary Wickes, along to check on me, feel the goods and do some shopping! And did I say she changed my life? That very day, Lucy also invited me to visit her home on Beverly Hills' Roxbury Drive to play backgammon. While I confessed I knew very little about the game, she said she would gladly teach it to me. A thousand games later, I can honestly say that Lucille Ball was a very good instructor, not only regarding the game, but also life itself. (But you did have to watch her closely when it came to scoring.) |
Today, 40 years after that first meeting with the world's number one Queen of Comedy, I've finally decided to write the story of our time together and share my memories of one of the most remarkable stars in entertainment history. My new book titled I Had A Ball: My Friendship with Lucille Ball is available now for purchase. The year 2011 was an important year as it marked the 100 anniversary of Lucy's birth (Aug 6, 1911), 60th anniversary of "I Love Lucy" (October 15, 1951) and the 40th anniversary of the day I saw Lucy in person (Oct 28, 1971). To purchase my book, please go to the Buy Book Page. |
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Appearances
/ Book Signings
/ Radio Shows
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| Check out these new 'color' photos!!!! | ||
 Lucy & Michael |
 Marie Osmond as Lucy |
 Lucy in full color |
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KTLA
5 News
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Michael
Stern on TV
Click here to view my page of interviews that I have done over the years as Lucy's #1 Fan.
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Sign my
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Links to other LucyFan.com |
