Ethel Merman
Also Credited As: Ethel Agnes Zimmermann
Date of Death: February 15, 1984 (76)
Birth Place: Astoria, NY, USA
Latest News on Ethel Merman:
Interview: Aimee Doherty says HELLO, DOLLY! in Her First Jerry Herman Musical (May 27, 2025)
Kate Baldwin, Santino Fontana, J. Harrison Ghee and More to Star in HELLO, DOLLY! at Carnegie Hall (May 21, 2025)
Shaina Taub, Camille A. Brown & More Drop Out of Library of Congress Musical Theater Conference (May 13, 2025)
Interview: Aimee Doherty says HELLO, DOLLY! in Her First Jerry Herman Musical (May 27, 2025)
Kate Baldwin, Santino Fontana, J. Harrison Ghee and More to Star in HELLO, DOLLY! at Carnegie Hall (May 21, 2025)
Shaina Taub, Camille A. Brown & More Drop Out of Library of Congress Musical Theater Conference (May 13, 2025)
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.
Photos
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Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn attend the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at t
Date:
01/21/2019
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn at the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at the U
Date:
01/21/2019
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
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STAGE CREDITS
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi [Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1944
Sadie Thompson [Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1939
May Daly
Mme. La Comtesse du Barry
May Daly / Mme. La Comtesse du Barry
May Daly
Mme. La Comtesse du Barry
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1936
"Nails" O'Reilly Duquesne
Nails O'Reilly Duquesne
"Nails" O'Reilly Duquesne
Nails O'Reilly Duquesne
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1932
Wanda Brill
Lora (Blackmail)</i>
The Queen (Eadie)</i>
Lora
The Queen
The Queen (Eadie)</i>
Lora (Blackmail)</i>
Lora
Wanda Brill
The Queen
Wanda Brill
Movies
Follow the Leader
[ 1930 ] Helen King
[ 1930 ] Helen King
Kid Millions
[ 1934 ] Dot Clark
[ 1934 ] Dot Clark
We're Not Dressing
[ 1934 ] Edith
[ 1934 ] Edith
The Big Broadcast of 1936
[ 1935 ] Ethel Merman
[ 1935 ] Ethel Merman
Strike Me Pink
[ 1936 ] Joyce Lennox
[ 1936 ] Joyce Lennox
Anything Goes
[ 1936 ] Reno Sweeney
[ 1936 ] Reno Sweeney
Happy Landing
[ 1938 ] Flo Kelly
[ 1938 ] Flo Kelly
Alexander's Ragtime Band
[ 1938 ] Jerry Allen
[ 1938 ] Jerry Allen
Straight Place and Show
[ 1938 ] Linda Tyler
[ 1938 ] Linda Tyler
Stage Door Canteen
[ 1943 ] Ethel Merman
[ 1943 ] Ethel Merman
Call Me Madam
[ 1953 ] Sally Adams
[ 1953 ] Sally Adams
There's No Business Like Show Business
[ 1954 ] Molly Donahue
[ 1954 ] Molly Donahue
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
[ 1963 ] Mrs. Marcus
[ 1963 ] Mrs. Marcus
The Art of Love
[ 1965 ] Madame Coco La Fontaine
[ 1965 ] Madame Coco La Fontaine
Journey Back to Oz
[ 1972 ] Mombi, The Bad Witch
[ 1972 ] Mombi, The Bad Witch
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
[ 1976 ] Hedda Parsons
[ 1976 ] Hedda Parsons
Airplane!
[ 1980 ] Lieutenant Hurwitz
[ 1980 ] Lieutenant Hurwitz
TV Shows
That Girl
Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman
The Love Boat
Roz Smith
Roz Smith
Awards and Nominations
winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Special Tony Award
Ethel Merman
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Outstanding Performance
Ethel MermanHello, Dolly!
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Outstanding Performance
Ethel MermanHello, Dolly!
Tony Awards - 1960 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Ethel Merman, Gypsy
Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Ethel Merman, Happy Hunting
winner
Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Ethel Merman, Call Me Madam
Videos
Audra McDonald Will Return to Broadway This Fall in GYPSY; Watch New Trailer
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-05-29 15:30:20
Video: Watch Kelly Clarkson Sing 'I Get a Kick Out of You' From ANYTHING GOES
by Michael Major - 2023-11-21 10:02:17
Video: Company of NEW YORK, NEW YORK Serenades John Kander for His 96th Birthday!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-03-17 13:29:38
VIDEO: First Look at ANYTHING GOES at City Springs Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - 2022-09-15 06:00:45
VIDEO: The Broadway League Launches THIS IS BROADWAY Initiative With Short Film Narrated by Oprah Winfrey
by Stephi Wild - 2021-08-30 08:00:20
Exclusive: First Listen To 'Unworthy Of Your Love' From LOSING MY MIND: A SONDHEIM DISCO FEVER DREAM
by Alan Henry - 2020-03-15 12:46:24
VIDEO: Katie Webber Receives the Legacy Robe For TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - 2019-12-06 07:44:40
TV Exclusive: Neil Sean Meets Theatre Legend and 42ND STREET Star Bonnie Langford
by Nicole Rosky - 2018-10-02 10:36:40
VIDEO: Stars Turn Out to Help BC/EFA Raise Over $900,000 at the 2018 Broadway Flea Market
by A.A. Cristi - 2018-10-01 17:34:01
VIDEO: On This Day, February 15- Celebrating the Life and Career of Stage Legend, Ethel Merman
by A.A. Cristi - 2018-02-15 16:35:12
Video Flashback: ZIP! Elaine Stritch Takes Connecticut by Way of the Shubert Theater
by A.A. Cristi - 2017-11-07 16:46:22
Video: Highlights from NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY Concert at Feinstein's/54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - 2017-11-01 21:15:31
VIDEO: Start Your Weekend Off with a Medley from Broadway Legend Ethel Merman
by Julie Musbach - 2017-09-30 11:41:09
VIDEO: BWW Exclusive: Ethel Merman Performs GYPSY Showstopper on PBS' JFK: THE LOST Inaugural Gala
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-06-06 07:50:53
SHOWTUNE SHUFFLE: The Rest and Best of Them Take a Crack at a HELLO, DOLLY! Classic
by Nicole Rosky - 2017-04-21 11:52:33
VIDEO: David Hyde Pierce Talks HELLO DOLLY, A LIFE & More on 'Live'
by Caryn Robbins - 2016-10-18 13:55:14
News
Interview: Aimee Doherty says HELLO, DOLLY! in Her First Jerry Herman Musical
by R. Scott Reedy - May 27, 2025
Classic American theater composers like Leonard Bernstein, John Kander, and Stephen Sondheim have been good to Aimee Doherty – giving her a wide range of characters to play and songs to sing. She has returned the favor by giving standout performances in their musicals that have made her one of the leading lights on greater Boston’s stages.
by R. Scott Reedy - May 27, 2025
Classic American theater composers like Leonard Bernstein, John Kander, and Stephen Sondheim have been good to Aimee Doherty – giving her a wide range of characters to play and songs to sing. She has returned the favor by giving standout performances in their musicals that have made her one of the leading lights on greater Boston’s stages.
Kate Baldwin, Santino Fontana, J. Harrison Ghee and More to Star in HELLO, DOLLY! at Carnegie Hall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2025
Hello, Dolly!, featuring an all-star cast of Tony Award winners and nominees, will be the eleventh presentation in the Anne L. Bernstein Concert Series—for one night only. Learn how to attend!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2025
Hello, Dolly!, featuring an all-star cast of Tony Award winners and nominees, will be the eleventh presentation in the Anne L. Bernstein Concert Series—for one night only. Learn how to attend!
Shaina Taub, Camille A. Brown & More Drop Out of Library of Congress Musical Theater Conference
by Joshua Wright - May 13, 2025
Broadway figures Shaina Taub, Jeanine Tesori, and Helen Park have withdrawn from the Library of Congress’s StageStruck! VI conference following recent political turmoil, forcing major programming changes.
by Joshua Wright - May 13, 2025
Broadway figures Shaina Taub, Jeanine Tesori, and Helen Park have withdrawn from the Library of Congress’s StageStruck! VI conference following recent political turmoil, forcing major programming changes.
Review: Lee Roy Reams Delivers on His Scandalous Promise at 54 Below
by Stephen Sorokoff - May 8, 2025
NO ONE left Lee Roy Reams' UNCENSORED! FOR ADULTS ONLY! on 5/7 without having to pick up their jaws off the table tops. The bonafide triple-threat served a deliciously salacious tray of goodies for the audience to savor.
by Stephen Sorokoff - May 8, 2025
NO ONE left Lee Roy Reams' UNCENSORED! FOR ADULTS ONLY! on 5/7 without having to pick up their jaws off the table tops. The bonafide triple-threat served a deliciously salacious tray of goodies for the audience to savor.
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2025 Nominated Revivals
by Sidney Paterra - May 4, 2025
The results of the 2025 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare?
by Sidney Paterra - May 4, 2025
The results of the 2025 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare?
Interview: Jimmy Moore And Paige Berry of ANYTHING GOES at San Pedro Playhouse
by Jill Ripa - May 2, 2025
San Antonio, this is a show you absolutely do not want to miss! It runs May 9-June 1, so do yourself a favor and grab your tickets to set sail with San Pedro Playhouse on their grand adventure!
by Jill Ripa - May 2, 2025
San Antonio, this is a show you absolutely do not want to miss! It runs May 9-June 1, so do yourself a favor and grab your tickets to set sail with San Pedro Playhouse on their grand adventure!
Library of Congress to Host Conference on Women in Musical Theater with Shaina Taub, Jeanine Tesori, & More
by Josh Sharpe - May 1, 2025
The Library of Congress will host “StageStruck! VI: Women and the American Musical,” a free three-day conference May 14-16 featuring Jeanine Tesori, Shaina Taub, Helen Park, Julie Taymor, Camille A. Brown, and Marjuan Canady.
by Josh Sharpe - May 1, 2025
The Library of Congress will host “StageStruck! VI: Women and the American Musical,” a free three-day conference May 14-16 featuring Jeanine Tesori, Shaina Taub, Helen Park, Julie Taymor, Camille A. Brown, and Marjuan Canady.
The Legacy Robe Recipients of 2024/25
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2025
That's a wrap on the 2024/25 Broadway season! 43 shows have opened on Broadway this season, and 21 of them were musicals. That means that there is a new bunch of Legacy Robe recipients to celebrate. Check out photos from all of this season's ceremonies below!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2025
That's a wrap on the 2024/25 Broadway season! 43 shows have opened on Broadway this season, and 21 of them were musicals. That means that there is a new bunch of Legacy Robe recipients to celebrate. Check out photos from all of this season's ceremonies below!
A BRAND NEW EVENING WTH KLEA BLACKHURST is Coming to Chelsea Table + Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2025
CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “A Brand New Evening with Klea Blackhurst”. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 28, 2025
CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “A Brand New Evening with Klea Blackhurst”. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
Video: Watch the Trailer for Palace Theatre Documentary PLAYING THE PALACE
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2025
The trailer has been released for Playing the Palace, a new feature documentary chronicling the history and recent transformation of Broadway’s Palace Theatre. The documentary features interviews with Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, Heather Headley, Ben Platt, and more.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 23, 2025
The trailer has been released for Playing the Palace, a new feature documentary chronicling the history and recent transformation of Broadway’s Palace Theatre. The documentary features interviews with Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, Heather Headley, Ben Platt, and more.
Review: GYPSY at the Philharmonie de Paris
by Patrick Honoré - Apr 19, 2025
The Broadway masterpiece, a crowning achievement of musical theater, finally makes its way to Paris, brought to new life by a stellar cast and crew under the visionary direction of Laurent Pelly.
by Patrick Honoré - Apr 19, 2025
The Broadway masterpiece, a crowning achievement of musical theater, finally makes its way to Paris, brought to new life by a stellar cast and crew under the visionary direction of Laurent Pelly.
PAUL IACONO SINGS ELAINE STRITCH… SINGS ELTON JOHN is Coming to The Green Room 42
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 9, 2025
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present the return of Paul Iacono, best known as star of G.B.F., Fame, and MTV’s “The Hard Times of RJ Berger,” in the world premiere of The Stritch Is Back: Paul Iacono Sings Elaine Stritch... Sings Elton John. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 9, 2025
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present the return of Paul Iacono, best known as star of G.B.F., Fame, and MTV’s “The Hard Times of RJ Berger,” in the world premiere of The Stritch Is Back: Paul Iacono Sings Elaine Stritch... Sings Elton John. Learn more!
Review: BBC MUSICALS NIGHT, BBC Four and iPlayer
by Gary Naylor - Mar 24, 2025
Some diamonds in the rough, but why can't we choose for ourselves from the BBC archive?
by Gary Naylor - Mar 24, 2025
Some diamonds in the rough, but why can't we choose for ourselves from the BBC archive?
Klea Blackhurst Returns With VERNON DUKE'S BROADWAY
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2025
Chelsea Table and Stage will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” the second annual edition of her season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist's acclaimed shows.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2025
Chelsea Table and Stage will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” the second annual edition of her season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist's acclaimed shows.
Rita McKenzie Memorial To Take Place February 22
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2025
Friends, family and colleagues of the late Rita McKenzie will salute her in A Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 22 at 5:00pm PST. This weekend, she will be memorialized and celebrated in Los Angeles.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2025
Friends, family and colleagues of the late Rita McKenzie will salute her in A Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 22 at 5:00pm PST. This weekend, she will be memorialized and celebrated in Los Angeles.
Cabaret Star Klea Blackhurst Shares Her 5 Favorite Jerry Herman Music Videos
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 14, 2025
The singer shared some of her favorite Jerry Herman videos ahead of her upcoming 2/16 retrospective ONE OF THE GIRLS at Chelsea Table + Stage, one of NYC's hottest spots.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 14, 2025
The singer shared some of her favorite Jerry Herman videos ahead of her upcoming 2/16 retrospective ONE OF THE GIRLS at Chelsea Table + Stage, one of NYC's hottest spots.
BROADWAY’S LEADING LADIES Concert Set for PBS Featuring American Pops Orchestra
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 12, 2025
PBS, in partnership with No Guarantees and Nouveau Productions, will present Broadway’s Leading Ladies, a one-night-only special performance featuring an all-star cast of women whose unique contributions have energized and defined the Broadway we know today.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 12, 2025
PBS, in partnership with No Guarantees and Nouveau Productions, will present Broadway’s Leading Ladies, a one-night-only special performance featuring an all-star cast of women whose unique contributions have energized and defined the Broadway we know today.
Interview: Gerard Alessandrini talks spoofing Sondheim and more in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: MERRILY WE STOLE A SONG
by R. Scott Reedy - Feb 5, 2025
Writer and director Gerard Alessandrini, the comedy mastermind behind “Forbidden Broadway,” has long taken his own Broadway fandom one step further, though, creating iconic parodies of stars like Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Yul Brynner, Patti LuPone, Chita Rivera, Mandy Patinkin, and Bernadette Peters and shows including “Hello, Dolly!” “The King & I,” “Annie,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” and “Wicked.”
by R. Scott Reedy - Feb 5, 2025
Writer and director Gerard Alessandrini, the comedy mastermind behind “Forbidden Broadway,” has long taken his own Broadway fandom one step further, though, creating iconic parodies of stars like Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Yul Brynner, Patti LuPone, Chita Rivera, Mandy Patinkin, and Bernadette Peters and shows including “Hello, Dolly!” “The King & I,” “Annie,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” and “Wicked.”
GYPSY Tickets Now Available Through August 2025
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2025
George C. Wolfe's new production of GYPSY starring six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald has released a new block of tickets, on sale now through August 2025.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2025
George C. Wolfe's new production of GYPSY starring six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald has released a new block of tickets, on sale now through August 2025.
Review: Kerry Ellis Takes Over 54 Below
by Sharon Ellman - Feb 2, 2025
This reviewer was completely in awe of those vocals and looks forward to seeing the overwhelmingly shining star that is Kerry Ellis again soon on the stage of 54 Below in New York City.
by Sharon Ellman - Feb 2, 2025
This reviewer was completely in awe of those vocals and looks forward to seeing the overwhelmingly shining star that is Kerry Ellis again soon on the stage of 54 Below in New York City.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Ethel Merman been in?
Ethel Merman has appeared on Broadway in 19 shows.
How many West End shows has Ethel Merman been in?
Ethel Merman has not appeared in the West End
What awards has Ethel Merman been nominated for?
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."
What awards has Ethel Merman won?
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.
Videos