Lucille Ball’s Daughter Almost Played An Important Role In Grease

Lucie Arnaz wanted to emphasize to The Austin Chronicle that contrary to an old Wikipedia error, mother Lucille Ball had nothing to do with Arnaz not starring as Rizzo in “Grease.” “She would never step in front of my career like that, ever. Ever!” Arnaz said. Lucie Arnaz was indeed up for the part of Rizzo, and she even nailed the audition. But Arnaz believed the real reason she’s not in the movie was “actually a stupider story, and they should put that one in, but I’m glad they didn’t.” 

Arnaz explained that the “Grease” director and the co-producer had guaranteed her the Rizzo role. However, Michael Eisner, then an executive at Paramount, insisted on auditioning other actors first. Arnaz was already booked to star in a “Bye, Bye Birdie” production in Milwaukee and alleged that if she pulled out from the play as it neared production, she would have had to pay $5,000 to the show’s producers. The clock kept ticking, but the “Grease” producers still weren’t willing to sign a contract.