Attention all those who love Lucy…Lucille Ball, that is, and really who doesn’t? A new documentary reveals that the TV icon used poppers for years before her death.
The Reelz series Autopsy, The Last Hours Of… covers the waning years of Ball in a new episode. In it, investigator Dr. Michael Hunter, as well as several of Ball’s friends, reveal that the comedienne used poppers to treat chest pains in the last years of her life.
“My investigation has discovered reports of a major setback for Lucille, some two years before her life ended,” Hunter claims in the trailer for the episode.
The episode posits that Ball suffered from cardiovascular disease, and used the notorious sexual enhancement amyl nitrate to numb her chest pains. That would appear to fit well with the circumstances of her death as well.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Ball underwent surgery to treat an aortic aneurysm in 1989. Eight days later, her aorta ruptured, and she died at age 77.
Ball remains an icon of television and comedy long after her death and has always held a special place within the gay community. A champion of liberal causes, Ball long supported the women’s movement and that of the LGBTQ community.
In a rare 1980 interview, the actress told People magazine that she had numerous gay friends and had the utmost respect for gay entertainers.
“It’s perfectly all right with me, ” she mused when asked about homosexuality. “Some of the most gifted people I’ve ever met or read about are homosexual. How can you knock it?”
Related: Rare color footage of “I Love Lucy” taken by fan’s smuggled camera
Doug
More exaggerated journalism. Most doctors prescribe amyl nitrate for different forms of heart disease, there’s nothing unusual here.
Wow.
GetOffMyInternet
I know! The gay news has gone crazy over this, and it’s so f*ucking stupid. She had health issues, she was prescribed the solution, unlike gay men who use it to get off. Why or how is this news? Why sensationalize something so trivial to the point it’s like a FOX NEWS bombshell? Oh that’s right..,consider the source!
Juanjo
Truly it is complete bs. These queens forget that amyl was originally a medication used to control angina pectoris among other things. If Ms. Ball had cardiac issues then it is unsurprising she was given prescription poppers to treat pain.
Brian
Maybe she also shoved in a butt plug when she was using them?
@HarryB at q-meet.us
Yes, absolutely. Even now there are some doctors who prescribe amyl nitrate
crowebobby
And it’s too late for us to boycott her show! What are we going to do?!!!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Why the fcuk would we boycott her show????
Brian
It’s on Hulu, we can start a Twitter campaign to shame them into pulling it.
Curtispsf
Nah Brian. I’m more in favor of a Twitter campaign to get YOU banned from Queerty… IF you’re serious.
Brian
Serious as an amyl nitrate triggered heart attack. I also want to get anything with Lucy Liu pulled, just to be safe.
sfbaygay
Too late to boycott the show!?! Now you’re just sounding like my toxic 60-something year old lesbian sister-in-law.
Evji108
Amyl Nitrate was standard heart meds in those days.
Creamsicle
This. Statins were not approved until 1987. Ball was using nitrites for their original intended medical use.
niles
That’s it. Your “journalistic” standards have fallen into the garbage pit.
BGinBigD
Is this “show” for real? Is the “doctor” a wannabe actor? She surely is dramatic!! I thought it was a YouTube video of a SNL skit.
nickbaerhollywood
She wasn’t a “star” in the 1980s. Lurid headline click-baits us that maybe she did Uppers during the 1950s-1960s when she did her most slapstick performances.
Brian
Are you really saying that Lucille Ball, the most legendary person in the entire history of television, wasn’t considered a star in the 80s?
Toofie
Lucille was always a star. Whether working or not.
Chevelter
Many stars in the 50’s and 60’s were given “vitamin shots” that were actually meth. Bob Cummings was one who became seriously addicted.