Lucille Ball is one of the most iconic comedians and actresses of all time. Her sitcom, I Love Lucy, is still beloved by millions of fans around the world. But did you know that she has a connection to another famous actor, Thad Luckinbill?
Thad Luckinbill is best known for playing J.T. Hellstrom on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, from 1999 to 2010 and again from 2017 to 2018. He is also a successful producer, having worked on films such as Sicario, La La Land, and 12 Strong.
But how is he related to Lucille Ball? Let’s find out.
The Luckinbill Connection
According to Wikipedia, Thad Luckinbill has an identical twin brother, Trent, who is a lawyer in Los Angeles. They are both cousins of fellow actor Laurence Luckinbill, who is the son-in-law of Lucille Ball and husband to entertainer Luci Arnaz.
Laurence Luckinbill married Luci Arnaz in 1980, after her divorce from actor Phil Vandervort. They have three children together: Simon, Joseph, and Katharine. Laurence Luckinbill was previously married to actress Robin Strasser, who played Dorian on One Life to Live, and they have two sons: Nicholas and Benjamin.
Luci Arnaz is the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who co-starred with her in I Love Lucy. They also had a son, Desi Arnaz Jr., who is an actor and musician.
The Musical Legacy
One of the most interesting aspects of this family tree is the musical talent that runs through it. Desi Arnaz was a successful bandleader and singer, both in real life and on I Love Lucy. He popularized the conga drum and the Cuban music genre in America.
His grandson, Joseph Luckinbill, inherited his musical gift and became a composer and guitarist. He has a bachelor’s degree in music from Shenandoah University and has written music for his mother, Luci Arnaz, as well as himself. He now teaches guitar lessons to children online.
Thad Luckinbill also has some musical skills, as he played guitar in Madonna’s Don’t Tell Me video in 2000. He was the cowboy who was thrown from his horse at the end of the song.
The Acting Career
Of course, we cannot forget the acting achievements of this family. Lucille Ball was a pioneer of comedy and television, winning four Emmys and a Golden Globe for her work. She also starred in many films, such as The Long, Long Trailer, Yours Mine and Ours, and Mame.
Her daughter, Luci Arnaz, followed in her footsteps and became an actress and singer as well. She appeared in many TV shows and movies, such as The Jazz Singer, Here’s Lucy, Murder She Wrote, and Law & Order. She also performed on Broadway and won an Emmy for her documentary Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie.
Her son-in-law, Laurence Luckinbill, is also an accomplished actor and writer. He has appeared in many films and TV shows, such as Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, The Boys in the Band, An Early Frost, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He also wrote and performed several one-man shows based on historical figures.
And last but not least, Thad Luckinbill has made a name for himself as an actor and producer. Besides his role as J.T. on The Young and the Restless, he has guest-starred on many primetime shows, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Nip/Tuck, CSI: NY , CSI: Miami , CSI: Crime Scene Investigation , Nikita , Major Crimes , etc. As a producer , he has been involved in some critically acclaimed films , such as Sicario , La La Land , 12 Strong , etc.
Conclusion
As you can see , Thad Luckinbill is related to Lucille Ball through his cousin Laurence Luckinbill , who is married to Luci Arnaz , Lucille Ball’s daughter . They are part of a talented family that has left a mark on the entertainment industry with their acting , producing , writing , and musical skills . According to Soap Opera Digest , Thad Luckinbill and Laurence Luckinbill are distant cousins , but they share a common passion for their craft .
