Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Vivian Vance (July 26, 1909 August 17, 1979) was an American award winning television and theater actress and singer. Often referred to as TV''s most beloved second banana, she is best known for her role as Ethel Mertz, sidekick to Lucille Ball on the American television sitcom I Love Lucy, and as Vivian Bagley on The Lucy Show. Born Vivian Roberta Jones in Cherryvale, Kansas, Vance was the second of six children born to Robert Jones and Euphemia Ragan. When she was six years old her family moved to Independence, Kansas, where she eventually began her dramatic studies at Independence High School under the tutelage of Anna Ingleman, the drama instructor. William Inge was a classmate and fellow cast member in play productions at the school.