What was Ricky Ricardo's main profession?

Ricky Ricardo’s main profession was singer and bandleader.

Played by Desi Arnaz, Ricky leads the orchestra at the Tropicana nightclub in the show’s early New York setting. His professional life gives the series a steady supply of performers, rehearsals, nightclub bookings, celebrity guests, and backstage plots—many of which Lucy tries to join despite Ricky’s objections.

Ricky is more than a generic musician: he is specifically portrayed as a Cuban singer, percussionist, and orchestra leader. Arnaz’s real musical career strongly informed the role. His performances of songs such as “Babalu” became closely associated with both the character and the actor.

A common mix-up is to treat the Tropicana as Ricky’s profession. It is his workplace, not his occupation. Ricky is also shown managing household and financial decisions, but those duties do not replace his central identity as a working entertainer. The contrast between Ricky’s professional discipline and Lucy’s ambition to enter show business drives many of the comedy’s conflicts.