‘I Love Lucy’: Here’s Who Played Fred and Ethel Mertz

‘I Love Lucy’ centered around Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, and their friends Fred and Ethel Mertz.

I Love Lucy aired on CBS for six unforgettable seasons, from 1951 to 1957. The show, which followed the comedic misadventures of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo alongside their quirky neighbors, Fred and Ethel Mertz, became a cultural phenomenon. It captivated audiences in its time and, remarkably, continues to live on in syndication, more than 70 years later, still bringing laughter to generations of viewers.

I Love Lucy is widely regarded as one of the funniest shows ever made. The on-screen chemistry between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who played the iconic couple Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, was no accident—it reflected their real-life marriage. A lot of the comedy arose from Lucy’s knack for landing herself in chaotic situations, often inspired by their own personal experiences.

But the Ricardos weren’t alone in their comedic escapades. Enter Fred and Ethel Mertz, the Ricardos’ landlords, neighbors, and close friends. While Ethel often found herself caught up in Lucy’s wild schemes, the Mertzs were far more than just sidekicks. Fred, with his grumpy yet lovable personality, and Ethel, with her sharp wit and feisty spirit, brought their own brand of humor and heart to the show, making them unforgettable characters in their own right.

Ethel Mertz, Lucy’s loyal best friend, was brought to life by the brilliant Vivian Vance. Ethel was often the one to get swept up in Lucy’s outlandish plans, even though she’d usually try to steer her away from disaster.

One of the most iconic moments in I Love Lucy history came during the candy factory episode, where the conveyor belt started speeding up, and Lucy and Ethel were frantically stuffing chocolates into their mouths and down their shirts. It’s one of those scenes that’s forever etched in TV history—pure slapstick comedy at its finest.

But even though Ethel was often dragged into Lucy’s misadventures, she was also the voice of reason. More often than not, she’d try to talk Lucy out of her crazy ideas, but somehow, she always ended up right there with her, helping to make the mess even bigger. Their dynamic was the perfect mix of chaos and friendship, and it’s what made their partnership so timeless.