High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Vivian Roberta Jones (July 26, 1909 – August 17, 1979) was an American 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.