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Celebrate the life, career and friendship of Vivian Vance in pictures
The television legend was born on this day 110 years ago.
Born on July 26, 1909, in Kansas, Vivian Jones bolted for Albuquerque, New Mexico, shortly after high school to pursue acting. There, she changed her surname to Vance. Like her longtime friend and onscreen partner Lucille Ball, Vance worked her way up from Broadway to film before becoming a television star.
Vance will forever be associated with Ball, as she worked alongside her BFF for nearly three decades, from I Love Lucy to The Lucy Show to Here's Lucy. But Vivian was her own unique talent. On what would have been her 110th birthday, let's look back at this legend.
Smooch Operator
The Everett CollectionVivian Vance gives the cast of Northwestern University's New Waa-Mu Show real instruction on the art of kissing, March 11, 1939.
Old School Glamour
The Everett CollectionGives her best Marlene Dietrich pose in the 1930s.
Maybe That's Where Lucy Got the Look?
The Everett CollectionVance sported a rather Ball-like doo for The Cradle Will Rock in 1947.
Her Serious Side
The Everett CollectionVance poses dramatically in the 1950s.
Cute as a button — or 13
The Everett CollectionVance shows of her fashion sense in 1955.
Fashionistas
The Everett CollectionVance and Ball goof around in their wardrobe for the 1956 episode "Lucy Gets a Paris Gown."
Women at Work
The Everett CollectionThese two indeed put in their work together, as seen in this 1964 episode.
Car Trouble
The Everett CollectionWe adore this photo.
Rhoda Scholar
The Everett CollectionValerie and Vivian, two icons together. Vance made one of her final appearances in the Rhoda episode "Friends and Mothers" in 1975.
A Bicycle Built for Three
The Everett CollectionVance, Ball and Betty Grable pose for "Lucy Wins a Race Horse" in 1958.
Life's a Beach
The Everett CollectionFred MacMurray of My Three Sons (top center) joins the gang for an episode of The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. The title? "Lucy Hunts Uranium."
Fabray Softener
AP Photo/Ed WiddisIn 1957, the ninth annual Emmys big grins to Vance and Nanette Fabray. Both were nominated that year.
A True Genii-us
AP PhotoBall and Vance pose as Ball presents the 1964 Genii Award to her longtime friend and costar, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Lucille was a past winner of the award, voted by Radio and Television Women. The annual award was based on a star's contribution to the radio and TV industry and her qualities as a person.
Once More for Old Times' Sake
The Everett CollectionVance's penultimate screen role reunited her with Ball for the 1977 TV special Lucy Calls the President. Her final appearance came in the Mark Harmon police-dog series Sam. Vance passed away in 1979.
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