Lucille Ball’s Friend Reveals Whether Actress Nicole Kidman Captured The Real Lucy In “Being The Ricardos”

Nicole Kidman is earning rave reviews from critics for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in the Aaron Sorkin biopic Being The Ricardos, which premiered earlier this month. Now, however, one of Lucille Ball’s close personal friends is weighing in to reveal how Nicole Kidman did when it comes to portraying the legendary “I Love Lucy” star.

Kidman being cast in the role of Ball drew heavy criticism. Many complained that Kidman looked nothing like the iconic sitcom star. The backlash became so fierce that even Kidman questioned her being cast to the play the comedy icon.

Read more: Nicole Kidman Reveals Why She Was Terrified To Take On The Role Of Lucille Ball

In contrast to all the public complaining, Lucille Ball’s own friend Michael Stern says that Nicole Kidman hit it out of the park as Lucy!

‘Nicole Kidman Is A Fantastic Actress’ 

“There were a lot of people who said, ‘What a mistake,’” Stern told Fox News. “But Nicole Kidman is a fantastic actress. And they weren’t looking for look-alikes. They were looking for someone who could portray Lucille Ball, not Lucy Ricardo. Nicole got her down. Lucille Ball looked different from Lucy Ricardo.”

“She acted differently from her. Yes, Nicole played Lucy Ricardo for a few seconds here and there,” he added. “But she was really playing Lucille Ball. I thought she did a really great job. I think she could be up for some major awards.”

Stern became friends with Ball after working as her production assistant on the 1986 series “Life with Lucy.” He later went on to write a book in 2011 about their friendship titled “I Had a Ball.” 

Lucille Ball’s Friend Was Rooting For Nicole Kidman In Being The Ricardos

Stern, who admits he’s seen Being The Ricardos four times already, said that he’s been rooting for Kidman all along despite the criticism she’s received from some.

“I was one of the few people who was not a naysayer from the very beginning,” he explained. “From day one, I knew that this would not be the story of Lucy Ricardo. She embodied Lucille Ball, the actress. She really did. And I think if people see this film for pure entertainment, they will enjoy it.”

Stern went on to admit that he initially “wasn’t really thrilled” with the film itself, just because it was odd seeing his friend’s life portrayed onscreen.

“I did not know Lucille in the ‘40s or ‘50s,” he said. “I wasn’t born until the ‘60s. But it was weird seeing somebody you know on the giant screen being portrayed. I had to step away from knowing her. I saw it a second time and I realized it’s an honor. Here’s somebody I knew. And to be honest, I didn’t realize how big of a star she was until she passed away… She never thought there would be a movie about her life. She always said she was just a working actress. But she means so much to people.”

Related: Nicole Kidman Admits Playing Lucille Ball Has Put Her ‘Way Out Of My Comfort Zone’

Check out a trailer for Being The Ricardos below.

Lucile Ball’s ‘Sad’ Final Years

“I Love Lucy” leading lady Lucille Ball passed away in 1989 at the age of 77. Unfortunately, Michael Stern describes her final years as being “sort of sad.” 

“Her last series bombed,” he remembered. “She really didn’t leave her home afterward. She did a few things, but not a lot. I don’t think she was happy with the way she was let go from ABC. She was fired. And this was an industry she helped create. She went on for 23 straight years and took a year off to do Broadway.”

“She employed over 200 people. She brought on people. And it just didn’t work out,” Stern continued. “ABC just let her go after like seven weeks on the air. But worse, they fired her. She was really hurt. She thought nobody loved her anymore, which was not true. Everyone loved Lucy and they still do even now. But that firing really hurt her.”

In the end, Stern is hoping that Being The Ricardos will show fans who Ball was behind the scenes.

“Lucille Ball used to always say, ‘I’m a great babysitter’ because her show was always on,” Stern concluded. “Losing her was like losing a mom or a best friend. If you saw her on the street, you would immediately go, ‘Hi Lucy!’ She was in your house every single day. She was a friend to everybody. It was a dark cloud in Los Angeles when we lost her. And there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think of her. Everyone will always love Lucy.”

Being The Ricardos is in theaters everywhere now. Be sure to check out Nicole Kidman’s performance firsthand as she shows the world a new side of the incredible Lucille Ball!