For generations of television viewers, Vivian Vance will forever be known as the perpetually grumpy, but ultimately lovable, Ethel Mertz from I Love Lucy. Her on-screen antics with Lucille Ball’s Lucy Ricardo, her constant bickering with her on-screen husband Fred (William Frawley), and her unwavering loyalty to her best friend made her a television icon. But as with any public figure, decades of fame have created a mythology around her. Today, many of the stories and “facts” about Vance are based on hearsay, rumor, and a misunderstanding of her true character. It’s time to set the record straight and debunk some of the most common myths about the beloved star.
1. Myth: She Hated William Frawley
This is arguably the most famous myth about Vance. The story goes that the two actors, who played the bickering Mertz couple, absolutely loathed each other in real life. While it is true that they had a difficult relationship, “hate” is a strong word. Their relationship was one of mutual annoyance and a constant struggle for power on the set. They often bickered, and Frawley, who was 22 years older than Vance, often mocked her for her age. Their on-screen chemistry was a direct result of their real-life tension. However, they had a grudging respect for each other, and when Frawley passed away, Vance was deeply saddened by the news. The myth of their mutual hatred has been perpetuated for decades, but the truth is a lot more complicated.
2. Myth: She Was Just a Sitcom Sidekick
Vivian Vance was a far more talented and versatile actress than her role as Ethel Mertz would suggest. Before I Love Lucy, she was a Broadway star with a Tony Award to her name. She was a trained stage actress who had a successful career in the theater. She was a gifted singer and a dramatic actress who was not afraid to take on complex and challenging roles. Her decision to take the role of Ethel Mertz was a pragmatic one; she was looking for a steady paycheck and a way to break into television. But to call her “just a sitcom sidekick” is to do a great disservice to her immense talent and her long and distinguished career.
3. Myth: She Was Insecure About Her Looks
The myth that Vance was insecure about her looks is a complicated one. It is true that she was often insecure about her weight, and she was often in a constant battle with her own body. But the story that she demanded a clause in her contract that she would not be shown on screen in a way that would make her look less attractive than Lucille Ball is a complete fabrication. In fact, Vance and Ball had a deep and abiding friendship, and they were often each other’s biggest cheerleaders. The myth of her insecurity has been perpetuated for decades, but the truth is a lot more nuanced. She was a woman who was a product of her time, a time when a woman’s worth was often tied to her appearance. But she was not a woman who was obsessed with her looks. She was a woman who was a powerful and talented actress who was more concerned with her craft than her appearance.
4. Myth: She Died a Sad and Lonely Woman
While it is true that Vance’s life was not without its struggles, the myth that she died a sad and lonely woman is a complete fabrication. She was a woman who had a long and happy life, and she was surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was a woman who had a deep and abiding friendship with Lucille Ball, and the two women were often each other’s biggest cheerleaders. She was a woman who was a loving mother, a devoted wife, and a true friend. Her death was a tragic loss for the world of entertainment, but her legacy is one of joy, laughter, and a life well-lived.
5. Myth: She Was the “Fat Friend” on the Show
This myth is a particularly cruel and a particularly unfair one. While it is true that Vance was a bit heavier than Lucille Ball, the idea that she was the “fat friend” on the show is a complete and utter lie. The two women were both beautiful, and they were both talented. The show’s humor was not based on their physical appearance but on their personalities and their on-screen chemistry. The myth of her being the “fat friend” is a product of a society that has, for too long, judged a woman’s worth by her appearance. It is a myth that needs to be put to rest once and for all.
6. Myth: She Hated Her Role as Ethel Mertz
This myth is another complete fabrication. While it is true that Vance was a versatile actress who was not afraid to take on complex and challenging roles, the idea that she hated her role as Ethel Mertz is a complete and utter lie. She was a woman who was proud of her work on I Love Lucy, and she was a woman who was deeply grateful for the opportunity to play a character who was so beloved by millions of people. She was a woman who knew that she had created a character who would live on forever, and she was a woman who was proud of her legacy.
7. Myth: She Was a One-Trick Pony
Vivian Vance was a woman of many talents. She was a trained stage actress, a gifted singer, and a dramatic actress. She was a woman who was not afraid to take risks and to challenge the status quo. Her work in films like The Great Race (1965) and her television appearances on shows like The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy cemented her place as a versatile and powerful actress. To call her a “one-trick pony” is to do a great disservice to her immense talent and her long and distinguished career.
8. Myth: She Was a Difficult Person to Work With
This myth is a particularly unfair one. While it is true that Vance and William Frawley had a difficult relationship, the idea that she was a difficult person to work with is a complete and utter lie. She was a woman who was known for her professionalism, her kindness, and her generosity. She was a woman who was a true friend, a loving mother, and a powerful force of nature. Her legacy is one of joy, laughter, and a life well-lived.
In the end, the myths that have been created around Vivian Vance are a testament to the power of her work and her legacy. But they are also a testament to the power of a society that is too quick to judge and too quick to create a narrative that is based on lies and half-truths. It’s time to set the record straight and to honor the life and legacy of a woman who was so much more than just a television sidekick.
