What color was Lucy Ricardo's hair?

Lucy Ricardo’s hair was red. The character, played by Lucille Ball, is one of television’s best-known redheads, although I Love Lucy was filmed and broadcast in black and white for most of its original run.

Ball’s red hair helped distinguish Lucy from the other characters and became a major part of her screen identity. The color was not simply a naturalistic detail: it made her visually memorable, especially during the physical comedy, disguises, and elaborate costumes that drove many episodes. Ball herself was a natural brunette and had changed her hair color for earlier film roles.

A common mix-up comes from the show’s monochrome presentation. Viewers who first encountered I Love Lucy in black-and-white reruns could not see the red color directly. Later colorized versions and publicity images made Lucy’s signature shade more obvious. Lucille Ball’s red hair also became closely associated with her later sitcom characters.