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Ethel Merman

American actress and singer (1908-1984)

AI overview

Ethel Merman was an American actress and singer who lived from 1908 to 1984 and became famous for her performances in theater and film during the 20th century. She is remembered as an influential entertainer who helped define American musical theater during her era.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Person · Open Library

Born: 1908-01-16
Died: 1984-02-15
Works: 15

Top works

Who could ask for anything more, by Ethel Merman as told to Pete Martin
Call me madame
The Ethel Merman show
Gypsy
Hello, Dolly!

via Open Library + Wikidata

Film & TV

Acting · Astoria, New York, USA

Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her powerful voice and roles in musical theatre, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm", "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "It's De-Lovely",…

Known for

It's a Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie Point — Mrs. Marcus (archive footage)2023
This Is Bob Hope... — Self (archive footage)2017
JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala — Self2017
The Fabulous Allan Carr — Self (archive)2017
Six by Sondheim — Self (archive footage)2013

Article

Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann; January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American singer and actress. Known for her distinctive, powerful voice, and her leading roles in musical theater, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." Variety claimed that she probably starred in more hit musicals than any other performer on Broadway starring in Girl Crazy, Du Barry Was a Lady, Panama Hattie, Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam and Gypsy. They also called her "one of the tiny handful of Broadway stars who had the talent, vitality, personality and drive to carry a show to critical and boxoffice success on her own." 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 a Drama Desk Award for Hello, Dolly!

Merman introduced many Broadway standards, including "I Got Rhythm" from Girl Crazy, "Rose's Turn" from Gypsy, and the Cole Porter songs "It's De-Lovely" (from Red, Hot and Blue), 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 Annie Get Your Gun, became Merman's signature song.