It’s been 46 years since Vivian Vance, the beloved star of I Love Lucy, passed away from bone cancer at the age of 70. Yet her warmth, wit, and the remarkable friendship she shared with Lucille Ball continue to live on in the memories of those who knew them both.
The two actresses created pure comedy magic in the legendary 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy, with Ball as the mischievous housewife Lucy Ricardo and Vance as her loyal, quick-witted neighbor Ethel Mertz — the perfect comedic duo that would redefine television forever.
Recently, Paige Peterson, who became close friends with Vance after the actress rented her mother’s home in Belvedere, California, shared her cherished memories of the late star with PEOPLE. Peterson, who also wrote about their bond in her 2020 book Growing Up Belvedere-Tiburon, spoke about the profound connection between the two women both on and off the screen.
“They Were Extraordinary Together”
“They were truly extraordinary together,” Peterson recalled. “What people forget is that Vivian was a major Broadway star before I Love Lucy. When Desi Arnaz saw her perform in Santa Barbara, he instantly knew she was the right one to play opposite Lucy. He understood her talent and that she could set up the perfect punchline — they were an unbeatable pair.”
Playing the frumpy, down-to-earth neighbor never bothered Vance. “She was a professional,” Peterson said. “She knew her role was essential to the comedy’s brilliance. She didn’t take it personally — she understood that was where the magic came from.”
Peterson added that, contrary to what many believed, the two actresses were equals on-screen.
“Someone had to set up the joke so Lucy could get the laugh — and Viv knew exactly how to do that,” she explained. “She never felt like a ‘second fiddle.’ She knew her worth.”
Friendship Beyond the Spotlight
Their relationship wasn’t just about performing together — it was built on genuine affection, admiration, and respect.
“There was an enormous amount of love between them,” Peterson said. “Viv was a powerhouse in her own right — strong, confident, and endlessly giving. That’s why their friendship lasted so long.”
That bond endured until the very end. In August 1979, when Vance was dying of bone cancer, Lucille Ball traveled to Belvedere to say goodbye to her dearest friend and co-star.
“We brought Viv down to the living room couch,” Peterson remembered. “They had lunch together and talked for hours. Viv knew she was dying.”
Peterson, who stayed nearby in case Vance needed her, still vividly remembers the heartbreaking sight of Ball leaving the house that day.
“The pain on her face shook me to my core. She was in tears and couldn’t speak,” Peterson recalled. “I think Viv let go after that.”
A few days later, on August 17, 1979, Vivian Vance passed away peacefully at the age of 70 — leaving behind a legacy of laughter and a friendship that would never fade.
A Mentor, a Mother, a Friend
Peterson also revealed that her friendship with Vance was deeply personal. The two performed together in the touring production of The Marriage Go Round, and Vance soon became both mentor and mother figure to her.
“She was like a mother to me,” Peterson said. “She adored Lucie Arnaz — Lucy and Desi’s daughter — and she used to say that Lucie and I were the daughters she never had.”
Even during her final days, Peterson said, Vance seemed at peace.
“Viv was in the place she loved most — her home, filled with light and memories,” she said softly. “And that’s how she left the world.”
A Legacy That Endures
Though I Love Lucy ended nearly seven decades ago, the friendship between Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance remains one of television’s most enduring stories — a rare partnership built on humor, honesty, and unwavering respect. Together, they broke boundaries, set new standards for women in entertainment, and proved that true comedy comes from heart as much as timing.
Lucille Ball once reflected on her beloved co-star in an interview near the end of her life:
“I can’t imagine who Lucy Ricardo would have been without Ethel Mertz — or if Ethel hadn’t been played by Vivian.”
It was a fitting tribute to a friendship that transcended fame and performance — the kind of bond that defined not only a show, but an entire era of television history.
