Looking like Lucy

Young Chang

Suzanne LaRusch remembers one woman who totally bought her act.

She looked at least 90 years old but rushed up to LaRusch -- a.k.a.

the Official Lucy Impersonator for CBS television -- and thanked her for

an autographed photo she supposedly sent her 15 years ago.

“So she obviously doesn’t get out much,” LaRusch laughed. “I just told

her, ‘you’re welcome.”’

Each lash separated, the lips drawn broad and bright red, each earring

a gold circular plate and the hair an exact strawberry red, LaRusch is

just that convincing as Lucy.

She will meet and greet visitors to the “I Love Lucy” exhibit at the

Orange County Fair through July 29, shocking most probably with her list

of Lucy-and-me similarities.

LaRusch and Lucille Ball’s birthdays are five hours apart. Ball had an

Aunt Martha, LaRusch’s only aunt was named Martha. Both women were raised

by single mothers, each has an older brother. Both sets of ancestors

immigrated from Europe and settled in upstate New York and Ohio. They’re

both 5-foot-7. They both have a habit of clearing the corners of their

mouths.

And, yes, they even have the same handwriting.

No coercion on LaRusch’s part though.

When she started impersonating Ball 10 years ago, LaRusch signed

autographs for avid fans without researching Ball’s real handwriting

first. She later came across an old photo the celebrity had actually

signed. It read, “To Harold, Love Lucy.”

“It looked like I had signed it. It was very weird,” LaRusch said.

Perhaps it was meant to be?

Her origins would suggest so.

It was at Universal Studios, Hollywood, in 1991. She pitched the idea

to impersonate Ball to her boss. He didn’t go for it at first. But

LaRusch worked up the courage, burst into her boss’ office one day in

full Lucy attire and announced,

“You have to put me to work!”

The boss caved.

LaRusch’s attraction to the show started when she was a young girl in

Glendale. Every Aug. 11, she would watch “I Love Lucy” and assume the

show was running a marathon of episodes because it was her -- LaRusch’s

-- birthday.

As she got older, the Burbank resident grew to appreciate Ball’s

comedic talents, her ability to take one small moment and make it

hilarious.

“Her comedic timing is such that it can give you an instantaneous

belly laugh,” LaRusch said. “I think that’s what appeals to people.”

Daughter Autumn LaRusch says her mother shares a similar humor. She

makes people laugh and even creates the illusion that cats talk.

“When my cat is doing something funny, she’ll pretend she’s the cat

and put a voice to kitty thoughts,” said Autumn, 13.

When asked if she plans to follow in her mother’s career path, the

teen said no, that she’s not enough of an actor.

Moments later, her mom is asked by a photographer to pose for a

portrait. They do one together -- Autumn too. And without one prompt,

mother and daughter both shoot up their arms in a festive, Lucy pose.

It’s hereditary. They both love Lucy.