Ethel Merman Headshot

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

Follow the Leader
[ 1930 ] Helen King
We're Not Dressing
[ 1934 ] Edith
Kid Millions
[ 1934 ] Dot Clark
The Big Broadcast of 1936
[ 1935 ] Ethel Merman
Strike Me Pink
[ 1936 ] Joyce Lennox
Anything Goes
[ 1936 ] Reno Sweeney
Alexander's Ragtime Band
[ 1938 ] Jerry Allen
Happy Landing
[ 1938 ] Flo Kelly
Straight Place and Show
[ 1938 ] Linda Tyler
Stage Door Canteen
[ 1943 ] Ethel Merman
Call Me Madam
[ 1953 ] Sally Adams
There's No Business Like Show Business
[ 1954 ] Molly Donahue
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
[ 1963 ] Mrs. Marcus
The Art of Love
[ 1965 ] Madame Coco La Fontaine
Journey Back to Oz
[ 1972 ] Mombi, The Bad Witch
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
[ 1976 ] Hedda Parsons
Airplane!
[ 1980 ] Lieutenant Hurwitz

Ethel Merman TV Shows

That Girl
Ethel Merman
The Love Boat
Roz Smith

Ethel Merman 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

Ethel Merman Videos

Ethel Merman News


Interview: Klea Blackhurst Brings Broadway History to Life at Chelsea Table + Stage


Singer Klea Blackhurst has long been doing tribute shows rich in song and Broadway history. Now, starting this Sunday, April 14th at 7 pm, Blackhurst will be revisiting each of these shows in a season-long series of “The Box Set” at Chelsea Table + Stage, starting this Sunday with “Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke’s Broadway.”

Sutton Lee Seymour to Present BROADWAY BARBIE at The Green Room 42


THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present international NYC Glam Award-winning drag star Sutton Lee Seymour for two shows in May. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Broadway Baby Andrea McArdle to perform in Follies in Las Vegas


FOLLIES, Stephen Sondheim, and James Goldman’s legendary production will be brought to life in a spectacular performance featuring a 45-person cast, including 12 of Las Vegas’s original showgirls. The limited-run engagement will be a star-studded affair at Access Showroom at Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa, April 11-14.

Review: BROADWAY BY THE SEASON Shines a Spotlight on the Past at Merkin Hall


The Depression and World War II eras didn't stop Broadway from being filled with big shows and songs worth hearing again and again. Hear about what can be heard in a BroadwayWorld write-up.

Klea Blackhurst to Present THE BOX SET Series at Chelsea Table + Stage


CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Interview: LIZZY & THE TRIGGERMEN Plays 'Joyously Subversive' Jazz at Joe's Pub


Lizzy & the Triggermen, a 10-piece jazz band helmed by Lizzy Shapiro, delights in infusing swing era music with a modern sound – “Duke Ellington meets Amy Winehouse,” as Shapiro describes it. They’ll be making a stop at Joe’s Pub for a double-header on April 6th. Shapiro and I spoke about the upcoming show, the origins of the band, and more.

Megan Sikora to Star as Ethel Merman in MERMAN Developmental Reading


The York Theatre Company will present a developmental reading of Merman. Learn more about the reading!

How Often Are Musicals Revived with Their Original Director?


This time, the reader question was: How often is a musical revived on Broadway directed by its original director?

Lainie Kazan's Four Classic 60s Albums Available for the First Time in Almost 60 Years


Available for the first time in the nearly 60 years since they were introduced, the four 1960s vocal albums from Lainie Kazan are now streaming on all digital platforms.

Review: FRANK'S CLOSET, Union Theatre


We all have someone that we look up to - for some, it’s a parent. For others, it’s a friend. But for Frank (Andy Moss), it’s divas - Marie Lloyd, Julie Andrews, Ethel Merman, Judy Garland, Agnetha Faltskog and Dusty Springfield, to be precise.

EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW Is Everything a Tribute Show Should Be


Musical comedy history roared to life when Klea Blackhurst brought the songs and sass and stories of Ethel Merman. The tables were full, the stage was filled with energy at Chelsea Table + Stage. She's coming back there with a survey of songwriter Vernon Duke on April 14 and Jerry Herman later this spring.

Review: Carole Bufford Sings the Hits of the Fearless Females of the 1960's at 54 Below


This reviewer was completely overwhelmed by Carole Bufford’s resounding voice at her YOU DON’T OWN ME - THE FEARLESS FEMALES OF THE 1960’s show on March 14, 2024.

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


For folks of “a certain age” (which I am not telling if I do or do not fall into that category), prolific songwriter and performing artist Carole King provided what could be the official soundtrack to their adolescence.  For those who have not quite crossed that age threshold, you would be surprised how well her music has endured and firmly taken its place in the American songbook, speaking to multiple generations with songs of hope, love and all that comes after.

La MaMa Experiments Play Reading Series to Present Paul Iacono's HIGH PRIEST


La MaMa's “Experiments Play Reading Series” will present the first public reading of Paul Iacono's new play HIGH PRIEST for one night only. Learn more about the play and see how to purchase tickets.

Jaye Maynard to Honor Blossom Dearie at Chelsea Table + Stage


CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present vocalist Jaye Maynard in a special show “Bird Amongst the Blossom: A Tribute to the Blossom Dearie Songbook. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Interview: RICHARD SKIPPER Celebrates HELLO DOLLY at Laurie Beechman Theatre


Richard Skipper, HELLO, DOLLY! historian and friend of the late great Carol Channing, is celebrating the beloved show on its 60th anniversary, with one more performance in Manhattan on March 29th at 7 pm featuring former Dolly alum Lorna Dallas. We spoke about the first sold out show and the enduring legacy of Dolly.

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.

Ethel Merman 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.

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