Lucille Ball's First Hollywood Home

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball was working as a model and studying acting in New York, when at the age of 22, she landed a part in the 1933 RKO film, Roman Scandals. The part was small, just a chorus girl role, but it brought her out to Hollywood to appear in the Eddie Cantor vehicle - and that was just the beginning for Lucy.

That small role led to a contract with RKO and meant that Lucy wasn't going back to New York anytime soon. Instead, she convinced her brother, mother, and grandfather to leave New York and join her in California. Lucy rented a home for all of them in West Hollywood, at 1344 North Ogdon Drive.

Lucy's First Home - 1344 N. Ogdon Drive, West Hollywood, CA

Lucy stayed in this home for several years before moving out into her own apartment. Her family continued to live in the home after she left and it was this same home that her grandfather, Fred Hunt, held Communist Party meetings. Lucy would later be called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Although her grandfather was a Communist, Lucy tended to be more conservative.

The house is located between Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue. The Samuel Goldwyn Studios and the RKO lot where Lucy worked during the early part of her career are both under 3 miles from the home - so Lucy didn't have much of a commute.

If you plan to swing by Lucy's old Hollywood home, load up on breakfast first at The Griddle, located just around the corner on Sunset. They have the most amazing pancakes I have ever seen and tasted! And although you won't see Lucy, it is a good place to spot stars getting their breakfast.