Ethel Merman (Actress and Singer)
Full Name: born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann
Profession: Actress and Singer
Biography: Ethel Merman was an American actress and singer. Known for her powerful and belting mezzo-soprano voice, she led many of Broadway's successful musicals and became one of the biggest stars of her era. Her famous line "There's no business like show business" from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" remains an enduring catchphrase in the entertainment industry.
She made her Broadway debut in "Girl Crazy" and quickly became known for her vocal talent, distinctive delivery, and exuberant stage presence. Merman's roles in shows like Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, and Gypsy all further solidified her reputation.
Born: January 16, 1908
Birthplace: Astoria, Queens, New York, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Capricorn
Died: February 15, 1984 (aged 76)
Cause of Death: Brain cancer
Acting Career
- 1930-10-14 George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin's musical "Girl Crazy" starring Ginger Rogers and featuring debut of Ethel Merman, opens at the Alvin Theater, NYC; runs for 272 performances
- 1931-06-06 George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin's musical "Girl Crazy" starring Ginger Rogers and featuring debut of Ethel Merman, closes at the Alvin Theater, NYC, after 272 performances, and making stars of Rogers and Merman
- 1936-10-29 Cole Porter's musical "Red, Hot And Blue", starring Ethel Merman, Jimmy Durante, and Bob Hope, opens at the Alvin Theatre, NYC; runs for 183 performances
- 1937-04-10 Cole Porter's musical "Red, Hot And Blue", starring Ethel Merman, Jimmy Durante, and Bob Hope, closes at the Alvin Theatre, NYC, after 183 performances
- 1946-05-16 Irving Berlin, Dorothy and Herbert Fields' musical "Annie Get Your Gun" starring Ethel Merman and featuring "There's No Business Like Show Business" opens at Imperial Theater, NYC
- 1956-12-06 Harold Karr and Matt Dubey's musical "Happy Hunting", starring Ethel Merman and Fernando Lamas, opens at Majestic Theater, NYC; runs for 412 performances
- 1957-11-30 Harold Karr and Matt Dubey's musical "Happy Hunting", starring Ethel Merman and Fernando Lamas, closes at Majestic Theater, NYC, after 413 performances
- 1959-05-21 Jules Styne and Stephen Sondheim's musical "Gypsy", starring Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman, opens at Broadway Theatre (later transferring to the Imperial), NYC; runs for 702 performances
- 1961-03-25 Jules Styne and Stephen Sondheim's musical "Gypsy", starring Ethel Merman and Jack Klugman, closes at the Imperial Theatre, NYC, after 702 performances
Personal Life
- 1964-06-27 Broadway musical actress-singer Ethel Merman (56) weds Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine (47) in Beverly Hills, California; divorce 1964
- 1964-07-28 Broadway musical actress-singer Ethel Merman (56) divorces Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine (47) after 32 days of marriage
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