Tue, 12/08/2009

Irma Kusely, Lucille Ball's Hairstylist, Has Died at Age 95-- Archive Interview Online Soon

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild periodical The Artisan reports that Ms. Kusely died on July 29, 2009. The Guild notes that she was the first hair stylist to receive screen credit on television, for I Love Lucy. Kusely spent several decades with Lucille Ball, working on her series The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life with Lucy.

Interview Description:
Irma Kusely was interviewed for three hours in Burbank, CA. Ms. Kusely described her early work as a wig stylist at MGM. She spoke about her friendship with Lucille Ball and Danny Thomas, which ultimately led to a job at Desilu, where she was the hairstylist on I Love Lucy as well as other Desilu shows. After I Love Lucy went of the air, Kusely worked almost exclusively with Lucille Ball, following her through her three subsequent television shows, and traveling with Ms. Ball for all public appearances. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on June 14, 2001.