Bob Carroll Jr.

The old saying goes that behind every successful man, there was a strong woman. But for Lucille Ball - as successful a woman as there has ever been in Hollywood - there was a man, Bob Carroll, Jr., behind the scenes. With life-long writing partner, Madelyn Pugh Davis, Carroll wrote every episode of "I Love Lucy" (CBS, 1951-57) and spent the next few decades writing for the manic redhead. The pair hit upon a surefire formula - Lucy scheming to be a part of something, whether it's taking on a new job in a candy factory or trying to meet a famous person her bandleader husband (Desi Arnaz) is working with, only to have her efforts backfire in a madcap hilarity. Even through 180 episodes, the gags never got old, thanks to timeless concepts and lightening fast pacing which helped "I Love Lucy" remain a favorite for generations. Though Carroll died in early 2007, his work was assured to live forever.