Ethel Merman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ethel Merman
Merman in 1956
Born	Ethel Agnes Zimmermann (1908-01-16)January 16, 1908 Queens, New York City U.S.
Died	February 15, 1984(1984-02-15) (aged 76) Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Resting place	Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1930–1982
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	William Smith ​ ​ (m. 1940; div. 1941)​ Robert Levitt, Sr. ​ ​ (m. 1941; div. 1952)​ Robert Six ​ ​ (m. 1953; div. 1960)​ Ernest Borgnine ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1964)​
Children	2

Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was a famous American actress and singer. She was known for her strong, clear voice. Many people called her "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." She starred in many popular Broadway shows. These included Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Hello, Dolly!.

Ethel Merman also appeared in several films. Some of her well-known movies are Anything Goes (1936), Call Me Madam (1953), and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). She won many awards for her performances. These included a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Call Me Madam and a Grammy Award for Gypsy.

Merman introduced many classic Broadway songs. These include "I Got Rhythm" from Girl Crazy and "Everything's Coming Up Roses" from Gypsy. She also sang famous Cole Porter songs like "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "You're the Top". The song "There's No Business Like Show Business" became her signature tune.

Early Life

Ethel Merman was born in Astoria, Queens, New York, in 1908. She was the only child of Edward and Agnes Zimmermann. Her father was an accountant, and her mother was a schoolteacher. Her parents made sure she went to church every Sunday.

Ethel's parents also wanted her to have a good education. They encouraged her to learn secretarial skills. This was a backup plan in case her dream of performing didn't work out. She went to William Cullen Bryant High School. The school later named its auditorium after her.

She loved being involved in school activities. She was part of the school magazine and student council. On Friday nights, her family often went to see vaudeville shows in Manhattan. Ethel watched famous performers like Fanny Brice. She tried to sing like them at home, but her own powerful voice was unique.

Starting Her Career

After high school in 1924, Ethel first worked as a stenographer. She then got a better job as a personal secretary. But she also started singing in nightclubs at night. She decided her last name, Zimmermann, was too long for theater signs. So, she shortened it to Merman.

Ethel met an agent who helped her get an audition for a film director. She signed a contract but found herself waiting for weeks without work. She then got a better deal that allowed her to perform in clubs. She became friends with Jimmy Durante while singing at Les Ambassadeurs.

After a tonsillectomy, Ethel found her voice was even stronger. She was then chosen to replace another singer in the film Follow the Leader (1930). Soon after, she auditioned for the musical Girl Crazy by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. When they heard her sing "I Got Rhythm," they immediately cast her.

Girl Crazy opened in 1930 and was a big success. Critics praised Ethel's singing and unique style. George Gershwin was amazed by how calm she was about her success.

Broadway Star

Ethel Merman became a major star on Broadway. Her next big show was Anything Goes in 1934. This was the first of five musicals she starred in by Cole Porter. The show included famous songs like "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "You're the Top". Critics loved her performance.

She also starred in other Porter musicals like Red, Hot and Blue and DuBarry Was a Lady. In 1940, she led Panama Hattie, which was also a big hit.

In 1946, Merman took on the role of Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. This musical was a huge success, running for nearly three years. The song "There's No Business Like Show Business" from this show became her signature song. She later played Annie Oakley again in a Broadway revival.

Merman won a Tony Award for her role in Call Me Madam in 1950. She also starred in the film version of the show.

Her most famous role might be Rose Hovick in Gypsy, which opened in 1959. Critics called her a "brilliant actress." Even though she didn't win the Tony Award for this role, it is still one of her most remembered performances.

Film and TV Roles

While Ethel Merman was a huge Broadway star, her film career was also notable. She appeared in the film version of Anything Goes in 1936. In 1954, she starred in There's No Business Like Show Business, a film with many Irving Berlin songs.

In 1963, Merman was part of the all-star cast in the comedy film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. She played Mrs. Marcus, a loud and funny mother-in-law. The movie was a big hit at the box office.

She also made many appearances on television. She was a guest on variety shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Carol Burnett Show. She also appeared in episodes of popular TV series like The Lucy Show and Batman.

In 1970, Merman joined the cast of Hello, Dolly! on Broadway. Her opening night was met with long standing ovations. Critics praised her voice and comedic timing. This was her last Broadway appearance, and she received a Drama Desk Award for it.

Later Years and Legacy

In her later career, Ethel Merman continued to perform. In 1979, she recorded The Ethel Merman Disco Album, which featured her classic songs with a disco beat. Her last film role was a funny cameo in the 1980 comedy Airplane!. She played a soldier who thought he was Ethel Merman.

She also appeared in several episodes of The Love Boat, playing Gopher's mother. Merman often performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras. She also volunteered at a hospital, working in the gift shop and visiting patients.

As she got older, Merman's health began to decline. In 1983, she was diagnosed with a serious illness. Her family chose to keep the details private. Ethel Merman passed away on February 15, 1984, at the age of 76. On the night she died, all 36 Broadway theaters dimmed their lights to honor her.

Ethel Merman was known for her powerful, "belting" voice. She had clear enunciation and perfect pitch. She never took singing lessons. It is said that George Gershwin told her never to take lessons after hearing her sing. Her unique voice and strong stage presence made her a legend in musical theater.

Personal Life

Merman at a typewriter in 1953.

Ethel Merman was married four times. Her first marriage was in 1940 to William Smith. Later, she married Robert Levitt. They had two children, Ethel Jr. and Robert Jr. They divorced in 1952. In 1953, she married Robert Six, a business executive. Her fourth marriage was to actor Ernest Borgnine in 1964. This marriage was very short.

Her daughter, Ethel Levitt, passed away in 1967. Her son, Robert Jr., was married to actress Barbara Colby.

Merman was a lifelong member of the Republican Party. She was a frequent guest at the White House during Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency. She also performed at the inaugurations of Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy.

Ethel Merman wrote two autobiographies. The first was Who Could Ask for Anything More? (1955). The second, titled Merman, was published in 1978.

Awards

Images for kids

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  Merman with Tyrone Power in the trailer for Alexander's Ragtime Band

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  In the film trailer for There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)

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  It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) trailer, featuring Edie Adams, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, Merman, Milton Berle, Mickey Rooney and Buddy Hackett

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  Merman in a trailer for Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)

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  In the film Stage Door Canteen (1943)

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  Ethel Merman in a trailer for Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)

See also

In Spanish: Ethel Merman para niños