This Could Have Been Lucy & Ethyl

On December 3, 2013 - TV History

This Could Have Been Lucy & Ethyl

When ‘I Love Lucy’ was being cast, Lucile Ball wanted her old friend Barbra Pepper (seen here with Lucy) to play the part of Ethyl Mertz. The two had a long history together, as Pepper had been one of the Goldwyn Girls who came to Hollywood with Lucy in 1933. Pepper was favored by Lucy herself, however, CBS refused on the grounds that Pepper suffered from a drinking problem that was far more severe than William Frawley’s. Nonetheless, Pepper did appear in several bit parts during the run of the show.

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6 Comments

  1. Roberta Gold April 11, 2015

    It was bea benadret and gale Gordon

  2. Don Newbury April 11, 2015

    Bra Benaderet was all over OTR. My favorite being one of the phone operators on Jack Benny.

  3. Connie Boyles Stake April 11, 2015

    Vivian was the perfect choice obviously

  4. Robin Meyer April 11, 2015

    I didn’t know that.

  5. William David French Jr December 4, 2013

    She would go on to be a regular cast member of Green Acres until her death.

  6. Jack Demus December 4, 2013

    I thought she wanted Bea Benadret and Gale Gordon?