Ethel Merman

Also Credited As: Ethel Agnes Zimmermann

Date of Death: February 15, 1984 (76)

Birth Place: Astoria, NY, USA

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Ethel Merman BIO

She has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage". Over her distinguished career in theater she became known for her performances in shows such as Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Hello, Dolly!

She is also known for her film roles in Anything Goes (1936), Call Me Madam (1953), There's No Business Like Show Business (1954), and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). Among many accolades, she received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Call Me Madam, a Grammy Award for Gypsy and Drama Desk Award for Hello, Dolly!

Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm" (from Girl Crazy); "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "Some People", and "Rose's Turn" (from Gypsy—Merman starred as Rose in the original 1959 Broadway production); and the Cole Porter songs "It's De-Lovely" (from Red, Hot and Blue), "Friendship" (from Du Barry Was a Lady), and "I Get a Kick Out of You", "You're the Top", and "Anything Goes" (from Anything Goes). The Irving Berlin song "There's No Business Like Show Business", written for the musical Annie Get Your Gun, became Merman's signature song.

Ethel Merman Photos

Ethel Merman STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1975
Performer

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1966
Annie Oakley

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1966
Annie Oakley

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi [Replacement]

[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1961
Rose

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1959
Rose

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1956
Liz Livingstone

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1950
Mrs. Sally Adams

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1946
Annie Oakley

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1944
Sadie Thompson [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1943
Blossom Hart

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1940
Hattie Maloney

Hattie Maloney

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1939
May Daly / Mme. La Comtesse du Barry

May Daly

Mme. La Comtesse du Barry

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1939
Jeanette Adair

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1936
"Nails" O'Reilly Duquesne

Nails O'Reilly Duquesne

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1934
Reno Sweeney

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1932
Wanda Brill

Wanda Brill

Lora (Blackmail)</i>

The Queen (Eadie)</i>

Lora

The Queen

[Broadway]
1931
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1930
Kate Fothergill


Ethel Merman Movies

[1930]Follow the Leader Helen King

[1934]We're Not Dressing Edith

[1934]Kid Millions Dot Clark

[1935]The Big Broadcast of 1936 Ethel Merman

[1936]Strike Me Pink Joyce Lennox

[1936]Anything Goes Reno Sweeney

[1938]Alexander's Ragtime Band Jerry Allen

[1938]Happy Landing Flo Kelly

[1938]Straight Place and Show Linda Tyler

[1943]Stage Door Canteen Ethel Merman

[1953]Call Me Madam Sally Adams

[1954]There's No Business Like Show Business Molly Donahue

[1963]It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World Mrs. Marcus

[1965]The Art of Love Madame Coco La Fontaine

[1972]Journey Back to Oz Mombi, The Bad Witch

[1976]Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood Hedda Parsons

[1980]Airplane! Lieutenant Hurwitz


Ethel Merman TV Shows

That Girl Ethel Merman

The Love Boat Roz Smith

Ethel Merman Videos

Ethel Merman News


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Niki Haris to Present GROWN ASS WOMAN at The Green Room 42 in April

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present the return of chanteuse Niki Haris in her show “Grown Ass Woman” for two performances on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 at 7:00 PM.

See Nicole Parker as Jillane Jenkins in SUITCASE FULL OF LIES at The Green Room 42

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Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Desert Theatreworks

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Jaye Maynard to Honor Blossom Dearie at Chelsea Table + Stage

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Interview: RICHARD SKIPPER Celebrates HELLO DOLLY at Laurie Beechman Theatre

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Chelsea Table + Stage to Present FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE: THE SONGS OF RON MILLER

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will celebrate one of Motown’s most successful hitmakers in “For Once in My Life: The Songs of Ron Miller” on Monday, March 25 at 7:00 PM.

HIGH PRIEST A New Play By Paul Iacono Debuts At La MaMa In Free Reading This March

Experience the premiere reading of PAUL IACONO's 'HIGH PRIEST,' a captivating drama about Andy Warhol's Factory, directed by Rachel Klein.

Book Review: MARY & ETHEL ...and MIKEY WHO? Is a Fun-filled Time-traveling Show Biz Adventure

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Randy Edelman to Celebrate New Live Album at Chelsea Table + Stage

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of acclaimed film composer and pop hit-maker Randy Edelman on Saturday, March 16 at 9:30 PM.

Photos: First look at Rise Up Art Alliance's FORBIDDEN BROADWAY'S GREATEST HITS

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Actress Rita McKenzie Passes Away at 76

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Mark MacKillop to Present Fourth Edition of DUETS at Chelsea Table + Stage

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Klea Blackhurst to Present Ethel Merman Tribute EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW at Chelsea Table + Stage

CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present Klea Blackhurst in “Everything the Traffic Will Allow,” her loving tribute to the songs made famous by the quintessential stage personality Ethel Merman. Learn how to purchase tickets!

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Lauren Davidson to Return to Chelsea Table + Stage in March

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Photos: Go Inside the Launch Party for Stephen Cole's New Novel MARY & ETHEL...AND MIKEY WHO?

On January 16, 2024, Moreclacke Publishers (Robert Armin, President) released the hardcover, Kindle and audio version (performed by the great Anita Gillette) of MARY & ETHEL...and Mikey Who? by Stephen Cole. Check out photos from the launch party here!

Ethel Merman FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ethel Merman has appeared on Broadway in 19 shows.

Ethel Merman has not appeared in the West End

Ethel Merman has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. She received a Special Tony Award at the Tony Awards. She was also nominated for Outstanding Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for her role in "Hello, Dolly!" Additionally, she received nominations for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for her performances in "Gypsy," "Happy Hunting," and "Call Me Madam."

Ethel Merman has won several awards throughout her career. She received a Special Tony Award at the Tony Awards. She also won the Outstanding Performance award at the Drama Desk Awards for her role in Hello, Dolly! Additionally, she won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for her performance in Call Me Madam.

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