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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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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

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


Movies

Follow the Leader
[ 1930 ] Helen King
Kid Millions
[ 1934 ] Dot Clark
We're Not Dressing
[ 1934 ] Edith
The Big Broadcast of 1936
[ 1935 ] Ethel Merman
Strike Me Pink
[ 1936 ] Joyce Lennox
Anything Goes
[ 1936 ] Reno Sweeney
Happy Landing
[ 1938 ] Flo Kelly
Alexander's Ragtime Band
[ 1938 ] Jerry Allen
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

TV Shows

That Girl
Ethel Merman
The Love Boat
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

News


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All Roads Theatre Company To Present ONE FOR MY BABY World Premiere And More At El Portal Theatre

All Roads Theatre Company has announced its inaugural season at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, beginning with the World Premiere Musical ONE FOR MY BABY, with a score by the incomparable Harold Arlen and headlined by Broadway stars LANA GORDON and LUBA MASON.
Interview: Lea Salonga Talks 'Sounding Joy' with the Boston Pops

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Review: NUNCRACKERS: THE NUNSENSE CHRISTMAS MUSICAL at Desert Theatreworks

What do you call a nun who can sing? A sister act!  And what do you call four nuns and a monk who sing and dance during Christmas? “Nuncrackers!” now playing weekends at Desert Theatreworks through December 29.
Broadway Buying Guide: December 2, 2024- HELL'S KITCHEN, REDWOOD Get a Parade Boost

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Broadway Buying Guide: November 18, 2024- MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Arrives on Broadway

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Broadway Buying Guide: November 11, 2024- Audra McDonald returns in GYPSY

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Broadway Buying Guide: November 4, 2024- SWEPT AWAY Arrives on Broadway

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Klea Blackhurst to Honor Ethel Merman in THE BOX SET 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 more and see how to purchase tickets.
Broadway Buying Guide: October 21, 2024- SUNSET BLVD Storms Back to Broadway

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Mitzi Gaynor, Star of SOUTH PACIFIC, Passes Away at 93

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Emmy-winning singer and actress Mitzi Gaynor has passed away. She was 93 years old. 
Nitz Howe Experience Celebrates 25th Anniversary At Elgin's Hemmens In November

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Nitz/Howe Experience at Elgin's Hemmens on November 24. Enjoy a night of audience participation, comedy, and music with After Dark Award winners Daryl Nitz and George Howe.
Broadway Buying Guide: October 14, 2024- OUR TOWN, GYPSY, and More

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NITZ/HOWE EXPERIENCE Cabaret Show to Celebrate 25th Anniversary at Davenport's

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NITZ/HOWE EXPERIENCE, Chicago's longest-running cabaret show, featuring Daryl Nitz and George Howe with vocal impressions and audience participation every Saturday. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Broadway Buying Guide: October 7, 2024- ELF Arrives for the Holiday Season

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Exclusive: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, HAZBIN HOTEL, and More at FanX

When you think about the FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, you may not realize the number of Broadway-related connections it has, even beyond this year’s spotlights on HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and HAZBIN HOTEL.
THE WIZARD OF OZ Adaptations and Spin-Offs to Watch Before WICKED: A Guide

To prepare for the big moment of seeing the tale on screen, BroadwayWorld has put together a list of film projects that we think are worth viewing or revisiting before Wicked flies into theaters on November 22.
Broadway Buying Guide: September 30, 2024- TEETH Returns for Spooky Season

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Review: MAMA, I'M A BIG GIRL NOW at The Wallis Annenberg Center for The Performing Arts

In a meticulously scripted and carefully crafted medley of songs, the performers highlighted the highs and lows of their careers, illustrating their individual paths to Hairspray and sharing anecdotes of their vastly different lives since the closing of the show.
Broadway Buying Guide: September 23, 2024- See the New Stars of CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

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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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