Episode 63 – "I Love Lucy" Star Keith Thibodeaux Recalls His Childhood As 'Little Ricky' & Life After Lucy - Part 1
On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with former child actor KEITH THIBODEAUX who is best known for playing “Little Ricky” Ricardo on the classic TV series “I LOVE LUCY”!
During his revealing conversation with Tony, Keith talks about how his love for playing the drums started at the age of 2 when he was found banging on his mom's pots and pans, how his natural drumming abilities led him to a national tour at the age of 3 with the Horace Heidt Orchestra, his recollections of when his father took him to audition for Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball for the part of Little Ricky on their hit TV series “I Love Lucy”, why Desi gave him the stage name “Richard Keith,” how fans of the show often confused him for Desi Arnaz Jr and vice versa, what Lucy, Desi, William Frawley, and Vivian Vance were like off camera, and how playing “Little Ricky” on the beloved comedy 1950’s sitcom not only changed his life but also how it made him the primary breadwinner of his family at 5 years old!
KEITH THIBODEAUX
Keith Thibodeaux, first came to national attention as the drum-playing son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on the now classic I Love Lucy show. Hailed as a child prodigy, Keith started drumming at the age of two in Lafayette, LA. His abilities led him to a national tour, a starring role as "Little Ricky Ricardo," and various acting stints on television, including on The Andy Griffith Show, Route 66, The Shirley Temple Playhouse, Hazel, and many more. While attending the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, Keith joined and recorded with the then mainstream rock band, "David and the Giants."
Keith left the group after several years, but following his (and fellow band members) Christian conversion, the band regrouped under the same name and went on to become one of the nation’s top contemporary Christian music groups. As a drummer, singer, and songwriter for the Dove nominated "David and the Giants," Keith toured extensively for 10 years in the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and England, recording 9 albums before leaving the group in 1989 to pursue other interests. Since 2016 David and the Giants has produced 3 additional albums: 40th Anniversary, Still Rockin’, and What Are You Waiting For? Keith has been featured in such publications as Newsweek, People, Saturday Evening Post, Modern Drummer, CCM, and Classic Drummer Magazine. He has also been a guest on NBC's The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, CBS's Good Morning America, and The O'Reilly Show.
In January of 1991, he joined his wife Kathy on the road with Ballet Magnificat! and in 1993, Keith became Executive Director. In addition to his current responsibilities at Ballet Magnificat!, Keith still finds time for drums and recording. Keith's book, Life After Lucy, tells the story of his life as Little Ricky on the I Love Lucy show, and subsequent encounter with Jesus Christ as Savior.
Keith and Kathy have one daughter, Tara, who is a dancer and choreographer and is married to Bryce Drew, former player in the NBA and former head basketball coach at Valparaiso and Vanderbilt University.
Ballet Magnificat! - https://www.balletmagnificat.com
To Purchase Keith’s “Life After Lucy” Book - https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Lucy-Story-Little/dp/089221256X
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Keith Thibodeaux
Actor / Musician / Author
Keith Thibodeaux, first came to national attention as the drum-playing son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on the now classic "I Love Lucy" show. Hailed as a child prodigy, Keith started drumming at the age of two in Lafayette, LA. His abilities led him to a national tour, a starring role as "Little Ricky Ricardo," and various acting stints on television, including on "The Andy Griffith Show", "Route 66", "The Shirley Temple Playhouse", "Hazel", and many more. While attending the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, Keith joined and recorded with the then mainstream rock band, "David and the Giants."
Keith left the group after several years, but following his (and fellow band members) Christian conversion, the band regrouped under the same name and went on to become one of the nation’s top contemporary Christian music groups. As a drummer, singer, and songwriter for the Dove nominated "David and the Giants," Keith toured extensively for 10 years in the United States, Canada, Jamaica, and England, recording 9 albums before leaving the group in 1989 to pursue other interests. Since 2016 David and the Giants has produced 3 additional albums: 40th Anniversary, Still Rockin’, and What Are You Waiting For? Keith has been featured in such publications as Newsweek, People, Saturday Evening Post, Modern Drummer, CCM, and Classic Drummer Magazine. He has also been a guest on NBC's The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, CBS's Good Morning America, and The O'Reilly Show.
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