Lucille Ball’s Funniest Jokes
Updated July 1, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Dive into the delightful world of Lucille Ball’s comedy as we recount some of her most iconic and side-splitting jokes that have left audiences in stitches for decades.

Lucille Ball: A Comedy Legend
Lucille Ball, a name synonymous with comedy, captivated audiences with her impeccable timing and unforgettable humor. From the classic TV sitcom “I Love Lucy” to her various appearances on stage and screen, Lucille Ball delivered some of the most timeless jokes in entertainment history.
Classic “I Love Lucy” One-Liners
Lucille Ball’s portrayal of Lucy Ricardo in “I Love Lucy” is legendary. Here are some of the funniest one-liners from the show:
- “Ever since we said ‘I do,’ there have been so many things we don’t.” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m not a has-been. I’m a right now!” – Lucille Ball
- “My mother always used to say: The older you get, the better you get, unless you’re a banana.” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m not funny. What I am is brave.” – Lucille Ball
- “It’s so tasty too!” – Lucille Ball
- “Speed it up a little!” – Lucille Ball
Memorable Scenes and Jokes
Let’s dive into some of Lucille Ball’s most memorable scenes and the hilarious jokes that still get laughs today.
The Chocolate Factory Episode
Who could forget the chocolate factory episode where Lucy and Ethel are trying to keep up with a conveyor belt of chocolates?
- “Ethel, I think we’re fighting a losing game!” – Lucille Ball
- “I can’t handle this place!” – Lucille Ball
- “If one piece of candy gets past us, we’re fired!” – Lucille Ball
The Stomping Grapes Scene
In the iconic grape stomping episode, Lucy finds herself in a sticky situation, quite literally.
- “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.” – Lucille Ball
- “I think I’ve got a new perfume: Essence of Grape.” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m in grape heaven!” – Lucille Ball
The “Vitameatavegamin” Commercial
One of Lucy’s funniest moments comes from her trying to film a commercial for the fictional product “Vitameatavegamin.”
- “Do you pop out at parties? Are you unpopular?” – Lucille Ball
- “It’s so tasty too…just like candy!” – Lucille Ball
- “It’s…uh…it’s so tasty too!” – Lucille Ball
Times Lucille Ball Made You Laugh Out Loud
Lucille Ball didn’t just make people chuckle; she had them rolling on the floor with laughter. Here are some more jokes and moments that cemented her place as a comedy icon:
Lucy’s Italian Movie
The episode where Lucy gets a role in an Italian movie provided plenty of laughs, especially during her interaction with an Italian woman.
- “I can do Italian, I can do French, and I can do very bad English!” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m all vine and no branches!” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m a real Italian movie star now!” – Lucille Ball
The Mustache Mishap
Here are some great jokes from the episode where Lucy tries to teach Ricky about the importance of appearance by donning a mustache herself.
- “I look like my Uncle Harry!” – Lucille Ball
- “What am I gonna do with you?” – Lucille Ball
- “I’ve got a mustache, Ricky’s got a mustache, everybody’s got a mustache!” – Lucille Ball
More Timeless Jokes from Lucille Ball
Beyond the well-known episodes, Lucille Ball had a treasure trove of jokes that could make anyone laugh.
- “Do you realize how many kids I have to send my husband to support?” – Lucille Ball
- “Ethel, we’ve been through too much together for you to be so stingy!” – Lucille Ball
- “We’re not married, we’re related!” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m going to be a star again if it kills me, or you, or everybody else!” – Lucille Ball
- “I’ve got a right to have a baby if I want one. I’ve got a right to have a baby and you’re going to be the father!” – Lucille Ball
Classic Lucy and Ethel Comedy Moments
Lucy and Ethel’s chemistry was undeniable, and their banter contributed to some of the funniest moments on “I Love Lucy”. Here are some iconic jokes from their hilarious escapades:
- “We’re a sick couple. We came along before cholesterol.” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m so tired, I can hardly shut my mouth!” – Lucille Ball
- “I can be sensible when I think about it.” – Lucille Ball
- “Ethel, you sound like a bee in a bottle!” – Lucille Ball
- “We’re just looking for a place to bury a body!” – Lucille Ball
Unforgettable Quips at the Club Tropicana
When Lucy tries to infiltrate Ricky’s Club Tropicana, hilarity ensues, giving us some of her best quips:
- “I’m the only girl in the world who applies to a club with a vacuum cleaner!” – Lucille Ball
- “I always knew success would go to my rear end!” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m hotter than a Havana night!” – Lucille Ball
- “Well, you’ve heard of instant pudding haven’t you? This is instant Lucy!” – Lucille Ball
- “Don’t worry, I explode quieter than a Collins’ mine!” – Lucille Ball
Hilarious Moments in Lucy’s Housewife Shenanigans
Lucy’s life as a housewife was far from ordinary, and her efforts to solve everyday problems led to rib-tickling laughs:
- “I don’t mind living in a man’s world as long as I can be a woman in it.” – Lucille Ball
- “It’s a scientific fact that your husband compensates for your vegetable indifference.” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m going to knock on fate’s door and demand an answer!” – Lucille Ball
- “You’ve got about as much chance as a celluloid cat in hell without claws!” – Lucille Ball
- “I knew you’d come around if I stayed long enough!” – Lucille Ball
Iconic Phrases from the Apartment
Living with Ricky Ricardo wasn’t always easy, leading to some of the best comedic lines in television history:
- “Ricky, you know I’ve got the brain of a monkey!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, this is the crust of the bread.” – Lucille Ball
- “I want to put a ring on it, but I can’t find my finger!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, when you’re looking for me, just follow the noise!” – Lucille Ball
- “Evidence? I’ve got more evidence than a ring of malted milk balls!” – Lucille Ball
Lucy’s Most Cherished Supporting Roles
Even when Lucy played secondary characters, her comedic timing was unbeatable:
- “Remember, if you break any hearts, I’ll fix them with a lead pipe!” – Lucille Ball
- “Give me half the rent, and I’ll tell you the third of it!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky can’t help it; he was born with a gold record in his mouth!” – Lucille Ball
- “Remember the time I replaced the telephone with a candlestick?” – Lucille Ball
- “You can’t fight biology, Ricky!” – Lucille Ball
Famous Blunders and Their Jokes
Lucille Ball’s comedic blunders were often accompanied by some of her most famous jokes:
- “I could use some spare change, a little silver lining!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ten thousand dollars? I’d rather dig a pond in my backyard!” – Lucille Ball
- “You know what this reminds me of? A hillbilly wedding!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, I thought Paris was in the mall!” – Lucille Ball
- “With my luck, I’d go for the brass ring and get the brass knuckles.” – Lucille Ball
Lucille’s Golden Talk Show Moments
Lucille Ball shone just as brightly during her talk show appearances, often leaving guests and audiences in splits:
- “There is one cure for aging, but it’s a far better-kept secret than the fountain of youth.” – Lucille Ball
- “Get me a Jack and Jill, rocky road, and a ticket outta here!” – Lucille Ball
- “Look at me, I’m as drunk as I’ve ever been on a soft drink.” – Lucille Ball
- “The best diamonds are saved for the rookies!” – Lucille Ball
- “I could have sworn I’ve seen this face in Weehawken!” – Lucille Ball
Timeless Jokes about Marriage
Lucy’s marriages, both on and off-screen, sparked plenty of humorous commentary:
- “Marriage is like pancakes; you always lose the flip.” – Lucille Ball
- “Husbands, like wine, improve with age, but they also become vinegar!” – Lucille Ball
- “Heaven doesn’t have the same rings as a devil’s contract!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, we’ve been married over the limit!” – Lucille Ball
- “Love is gentle, not the SUV you bought me!” – Lucille Ball
More Unforgettable Lucille Ball Jokes
Lucille Ball never ceased to amaze her audience with her witty humor and perfect comedic timing. Here are more unforgettable jokes from the queen of comedy:
- “All I’ve ever wanted is an honest week’s pay for an honest day’s work.” – Lucille Ball
- “How can I have a beautiful morning, if I have to get up?” – Lucille Ball
- “I think knowing what you cannot do is more important than knowing what you can.” – Lucille Ball
- “The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” – Lucille Ball
- “I dyed my hair this crazy red to bid for attention. It has become a trademark, and I’ve got to keep it this way!” – Lucille Ball
The “Lucy Gets into the Act” Episode
This episode saw Lucy attempt to break into the entertainment scene, resulting in classic jokes and scenes.
- “If I’d known this was going to be such a big hit, I would have skipped breakfast!” – Lucille Ball
- “Talent? Is that what you call what I have? I call it a public hazard!” – Lucille Ball
- “Who knew acting involved so many words?” – Lucille Ball
Lucy’s Hilarious Misunderstandings
Many of Lucy’s best jokes arose from the misunderstandings that only she could turn into comedic gold.
- “I thought you’d like to know there’s a broken window in the attic. I broke it.” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, I was just exercising my imagination!” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m allergic to one thing: exclusion!” – Lucille Ball
- “But Ricky, I didn’t know fire extinguishers explode like that!” – Lucille Ball
- “I was just trying to clear the air… with a vacuum cleaner!” – Lucille Ball
Iconic Jokes from “Lucy Does a TV Commercial”
This episode features Lucy doing a TV commercial, providing some of her most quoted humor:
- “So I’m supposed to say, ‘It’s a zesty meat treat!’ And then what?” – Lucille Ball
- “I took it because it was easier than dieting!” – Lucille Ball
- “Do you have any idea how many people are watching this? Well, I don’t!” – Lucille Ball
Brilliant Banter with Co-Stars
The chemistry between Lucy and Ricky, not to mention Ethel, resulted in banter that would leave anyone in stitches:
- “Listen, Ethel, I took a vow… I vowed to keep out of trouble!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, why do you insist on doing the mambo when I’m clearly a jitterbug!” – Lucille Ball
- “Next time we take a trip, I’m buying you velcro shoes.” – Lucille Ball
- “If you’d only seen that before you sniffed out truffles, Ethel!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ethel, stop being such a juicy fruit!” – Lucille Ball
Unparalleled Parodies and Imitations
Lucille Ball’s parodies were legendary. Here are some of her most memorable imitations:
- “Everybody’s rockin’ and rollin’, but I’m just sittin’!” – Lucille Ball
- “I’m so rich in poor taste!” – Lucille Ball
- “Is it me, or did that blonde just check herself out in the rolling pin?” – Lucille Ball
- “Mimicking Marilyn Monroe is a breeze, just let the dress do the work!” – Lucille Ball
- “Why, I never! Except every Tuesday…” – Lucille Ball
Comedic Insights During Travel Episodes
From train rides to European escapades, Lucy’s travel episodes gave us laughs that still resonate:
- “You try packing your entire wardrobe into one suitcase!” – Lucille Ball
- “If we’re in Paris, why can’t we just take a taxi?” – Lucille Ball
- “Do you think the Leaning Tower of Pisa started out this way?” – Lucille Ball
- “It’s all Greek to me!” – Lucille Ball
- “When in Rome…I’ve still got no clue what’s going on!” – Lucille Ball
Lucy’s Puns and Wordplay
Lucy often showcased her talent with puns and play on words, making every scene even more delightful:
- “I shouldn’t have eaten that 12-inch spaghetti; it wasn’t the right length for me!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, I’ve got my heart set on setting a Guinness World Record…” – Lucille Ball
- “Is it ice cream or is it a bluff-fait?” – Lucille Ball
- “Ricky, don’t be such a flake, be a frosty!” – Lucille Ball
- “Ethel, if we were wine, we’d be vinegar!” – Lucille Ball
Products that Capture Lucy’s Essence
If you’re a dedicated fan of Lucille Ball, there are a few products that can help you relive her comedic genius:
First up is the “I Love Lucy” DVD Box Set. This collection brings together all the episodes from the iconic show. It’s said that people marvel at the high-quality remastered episodes, which bring Lucille Ball’s comedic brilliance right into your living room. It’s a great way to revisit those classic moments and catch any jokes you might have missed the first time around. What’s more, some sets even include behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast, offering a deeper look into what made “I Love Lucy” a timeless classic.
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Another gem for fans is the Lucille Ball Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure. If you’re into collectibles, this is a must-have item. Reviews suggest that people cherish the accurate detail and craftsmanship of the figurine, which perfectly captures Lucy’s iconic look. Placing this on your desk or in your display cabinet can give you a daily reminder of the laughter Lucy brought into the world. It’s also a fun conversation starter for when friends and family visit.
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If you’re into reading, “Love, Lucy” by Lucille Ball is an essential addition to your library. This autobiography gives you an intimate look at Lucille Ball’s life beyond the screen. It’s said that readers appreciate the honest and heartfelt storytelling, providing an inspiring glimpse into her trials and triumphs. This book not only makes you appreciate her talent more, but it also gives you some invaluable life lessons from one of comedy’s greatest legends.
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Lastly, the collectible “I Love Lucy” calendar is a great way to keep her spirit alive all year long. It’s said that people love the nostalgic monthly images from various episodes. Flipping the calendar each month can bring a smile to your face as you recall the associated scenes and their hilarious jokes. A calendar like this isn’t just functional; it also serves as a piece of wall art that pays tribute to the queen of comedy.
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Further Exploration into Hilarious Comedy
If you’re intrigued by the humor of Lucille Ball, you might also enjoy checking out some other hilarious jokes that are great for family fun. For example, you might discover [hilarious jokes that embody the spirit of family entertainment](https://www.checkcharm.com/entertainment/knock-knock-jokes-for-kids-and-family-entertainment).
There are plenty of classic jokes that transcend generations, just like Lucille Ball’s. You might be interested in a collection of [chicken crossing the road jokes](https://www.checkcharm.com/entertainment/classic-why-did-the-chicken-cross-the-road-jokes-collection) that offer timeless punchlines.
For those who love animal humor, make sure you laugh your heart out with [animal jokes](https://www.checkcharm.com/entertainment/silly-animal-jokes-to-keep-everyone-smiling) that bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Avery Ingram
Contributor