Keith Thibodeaux
Actor
About This Interview
Actor Keith Thibodeaux was interviewed for two hours in St. Charles, IL. Thibodeaux discussed his early childhood where his interest and talent in drumming lead him to become a member of the Horace Heidt Orchestra. He discussed touring around the country with the orchestra and appearing on The Horace Heidt Show, until his family moved to California in the early 50s. He spoke about being cast in 1956 as "Little Ricky" on the hit series I Love Lucy. He described his role, his costars, and the tension on the set as the marriage of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball disintegrated. He then talked about his work on The Andy Griffith Show were he played Opie's friend, Johnny Paul Jason. He discussed the travails of being a child star and his later descent into drugs, which he overcame as an adult. He also spoke about his role as executive director of Ballet Magnificat, a Christian ballet touring company. The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on November 5, 2005.
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Highlights
Keith Thibodeaux on his first professional job, as a child drummer on The Horace Heidt Show
Clip begins at: 04:42, Duration: 04m 45s- Keith Thibodeaux on auditioning for I Love Lucy; on his role of "Little Ricky"; on his professional name "Richard Keith"; on learning how to act; on working with Lucille Ball
Clip begins at: 09:27, Duration: 19m 44s 
Actor Keith Thibodeaux on playing "Little Ricky" on I Love Lucy; on some of the key guests, directors, and episodes
Clip begins at: 06:12, Duration: 22m 08s
Actor Keith Thibodeaux on the last episode of I Love Lucy; on the legacy of the series; on the fans of the show; on seeing Lucille Ball for the last time
Clip begins at: 00:30, Duration: 13m 50s
Interview
- Part 1
- Introduction
Clip begins at: 0:32 - On his early years and interest in drumming
Clip begins at: 00:44 - On his first professional job, as a drummer on The Horace Heidt Show
Clip begins at: 04:42 - On auditioning for I Love Lucy; on his role of "Little Ricky"; on his professional name "Richard Keith"; on learning how to act; on working with Lucille Ball
Clip begins at: 09:27 - Part 2
- On his family life; on undergoing hypnosis for stammering; on being a child star
Clip begins at: 0:34 - On working with Desi Arnaz, William Frawley, Vivian Vance; on the production details and series' directors; on some of the key I Love Lucy episodes he appeared in; on the end of the series
Clip begins at: 06:12 - Part 3
- On the last episode of I Love Lucy; on the legacy of the series and its characters; on the fans of the show; on seeing Lucille Ball for the last time
Clip begins at: 0:30 - On his work after I Love Lucy; on playing Opie's friend Johnny Paul Jason on The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 14:20 - On moving back to Louisiana at 15; on trying to distance himself from Hollywood and becoming part of the 1960s counterculture
Clip begins at: 24:34 - Part 4
- On leaving acting and playing in his band David and the Giants; on becoming a Christian; on his work with Ballet Magnifica; on his advice to young actors; on how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 0:38
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One thing about the end credits of I Love Lucy, no guest stars names were ever shown on the screen. Only the 4 main cast members. The narrator would verbally narrate the names of the guest stars while the end credits rolled. His reference here of "And Little Ricky" credit was probably on "The Lucy & Desi Comedy Hour".
Very nice video commentaries
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