David Senra

February 8, 2022

The Autobiography of Lucille Ball

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My top 10 highlights from the book:

1. People with happy childhoods never overdo; they don't strive or exert themselves. They're moderate, pleasant, well liked, and good citizens. Society needs them. But the tremendous drive and dedication necessary to succeed in any field-not only show business-often seems to be rooted in a disturbed childhood.

2. I soon learned that to survive you have to be very strong, very healthy, and damned resilient.

3. Remember that there are practically no “overnight" successes. Before that brilliant hit performance came ten, fifteen, sometimes twenty years in the salt mines, sweating it out.

4. At the end of the term, the [acting] school wrote my mother and said they were sorry but I didn't have what it takes to be an actress. She would be "wasting her money" if I continued.

5. I can't say that I was discouraged. For some incomprehensible reason, knew that someday I'd make it as an actress.

6. In striking out on your own you have to throw out your chest and sell yourself.

7. I had a driving, consuming ambition to succeed in show business. I worked long, hard hours without complaint.

8. Having the love and adoration of millions was wonderful and thrilling, but I could have done with half of our Lucy success, for with it came a lot of new stress.

9. I don't suppose that hard work, discipline, and a perfectionist attitude toward my work did me any harm. They are a big part of my makeup today, as any of my co-workers will tell you.

10. They only pick on you when you can be picked on. After you reach a certain level, they wouldn't dare treat you so rudely.

About David Senra

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