Episode 64 – "I Love Lucy" Star Keith Thibodeaux Recalls His Childhood As 'Little Ricky' & Life After Lucy - Part 2

During the second half of Tony’s fascinating conversation with former child actor KEITH THIBODEAUX, he tells him all about touring the country at the age of five to promote the “Little Ricky” clothing line, how easy it was for him to learn how to play the bongos for an episode of the show, what his favorite episode of the classic TV series “I LOVE LUCY” is, how he was treated like an adult by the other cast members on the set, his lifelong friendship with the Arnaz children, Lucie and Desi Jr, his experience working with other child actors like Ron Howard on "The Andy Griffith Show”, how sad he was when the show and his job as “Little Ricky” came to an end, the hard times he had after leaving the show, how he found his religion later in life, what it was like writing his bestselling autobiography "Life After Lucy", what he’s doing today, and his thoughts on the enduring legacy of “I Love Lucy” and how much the show is still loved around the world.

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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Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

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