Ethel Merman
Actor
About Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman, born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, was one of Broadway's most legendary musical theater stars, renowned for her powerful, clarion voice that could fill theaters without amplification. She began her career as a night club singer in the late 1920s before making her Broadway debut in the Gershwin brothers' 'Girl Crazy' in 1930, where she stopped the show with 'I Got Rhythm.' Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, she became the undisputed queen of Broadway musicals, starring in legendary productions like 'Anything Goes,' 'Annie Get Your Gun,' and 'Call Me Madam.' While her film career was relatively brief compared to her stage dominance, she did appear in several movies during Hollywood's Golden Age, including adaptations of her Broadway hits. Her performance as Rose in 'Gypsy' in 1959 is widely considered one of the greatest achievements in musical theater history. Merman continued performing well into her later years, appearing on television and in nightclubs, cementing her status as an American entertainment icon whose influence on musical theater remains unparalleled.
The Craft
On Screen
Known for her bold, brassy, and commanding stage presence with a powerful belt singing voice that required no microphone. Her acting style was direct and forceful, perfectly suited for the strong-willed characters she portrayed. She delivered her lines with sharp timing and distinctive diction, creating memorable characters through sheer vocal power and personality rather than subtle nuance.
Milestones
- Broadway debut in 'Girl Crazy' (1930)
- Starred in 'Anything Goes' (1934)
- Triumphant performance in 'Annie Get Your Gun' (1946)
- Won Tony Award for 'Call Me Madam' (1950)
- Iconic performance as Rose in 'Gypsy' (1959)
- Received Kennedy Center Honors (1972)
- Inducted into American Theater Hall of Fame (1979)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for 'Call Me Madam' (1950)
- Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for 'Call Me Madam' (1953)
- National Medal of Arts (1984, posthumous)
Nominated
- Tony Award nomination for 'Girl Crazy' (1930)
- Tony Award nomination for 'Happy Hunting' (1956)
- Tony Award nomination for 'Gypsy' (1960)
- Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for 'The Lady Is a Tramp' (1932)
Special Recognition
- Kennedy Center Honors (1972)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1960)
- American Theater Hall of Fame (1979)
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1985, posthumous)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ethel Merman revolutionized musical theater with her powerful belt singing style, becoming the gold standard for Broadway leading ladies. Her voice defined the sound of American musical theater during its golden age, and her recordings of songs like 'There's No Business Like Show Business' and 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' became cultural touchstones. She helped establish the Broadway star system and proved that a powerful singer could carry a show with sheer vocal prowess. Her influence extended beyond theater into American popular culture, making her one of the most recognizable entertainment figures of the 20th century.
Lasting Legacy
Ethel Merman's legacy as the 'First Lady of Broadway' remains unmatched, with her vocal technique and commanding stage presence setting standards that continue to influence musical theater performers. Her definitive interpretations of classic songs by the great American songbook composers have become the benchmark versions against which all others are measured. Theaters continue to revive the shows she originated, and her recordings remain essential listening for anyone studying American musical theater. Her impact on popularizing the belting style of singing changed musical theater forever, and her name has become synonymous with Broadway excellence.
Who They Inspired
Merman influenced generations of musical theater performers, from Broadway legends like Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters to contemporary stars like Idina Menzel and Patti LuPone. Her technique of belting without amplification became the standard for Broadway singers, and her approach to character interpretation through vocal power rather than subtle acting influenced how leading roles in musicals are performed. Many composers wrote specifically with her voice in mind, and her success helped establish the Broadway musical as a distinctly American art form that could compete with Hollywood films in cultural significance.
Off Screen
Ethel Merman had a colorful personal life with six marriages, including to actor Ernest Borgnine for just 32 days in 1964. She had two children, Ethel Jr. and Robert, from her marriage to Sam Levene. Despite her larger-than-life stage persona, she was known as a private person offstage who enjoyed simple pleasures like cooking and watching television. Her autobiography 'Merman: An Autobiography' was published in 1978, offering candid insights into her remarkable career and personal life.
Education
Attended Public School 127 in Queens, left school at age 16 to work as a secretary while pursuing singing at night clubs
Family
- William Smith (1930-1931)
- Robert Levitt (1931-1940)
- Jack Klugman (1941-1948)
- Robert Six (1953-1960)
- Ernest Borgnine (1964)
- Sammy Cahn (1969-1972)
Did You Know?
- Her voice could reportedly be heard three blocks away from the theater without amplification
- She was offered the role of Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' but turned it down
- Her marriage to Ernest Borgnine lasted only 32 days
- She never took formal singing lessons
- Her signature song 'There's No Business Like Show Business' became her anthem
- She appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show more than 20 times
- She was a Republican and performed at Republican National Conventions
- Her final public performance was at the White House in 1983
- She owned a restaurant in New York City called 'Ethel's'
- She was nicknamed 'The Merm' by friends and colleagues
In Their Own Words
I don't know what 'method acting' is, but I'm sure it's nothing I'd be interested in.
I sing loud because I want people to hear me.
Broadway has been very, very good to me.
There's no business like show business.
I'm not a singer who acts. I'm an actress who sings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ethel Merman?
Ethel Merman was one of Broadway's most legendary musical theater stars, known for her powerful belting voice and commanding stage presence. She originated roles in classic musicals like 'Annie Get Your Gun,' 'Anything Goes,' and 'Gypsy,' becoming known as the 'First Lady of Broadway.' Her career spanned five decades, making her one of the most influential figures in American musical theater history.
What films is Ethel Merman best known for?
While primarily a Broadway star, Merman appeared in several notable films including 'Call Me Madam' (1953), 'There's No Business Like Show Business' (1954), 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' (1963), and early musical films like 'Anything Goes' (1936) and 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' (1938). Her film career, however, was secondary to her dominant stage work.
When was Ethel Merman born and when did she die?
Ethel Merman was born on January 16, 1908, in Astoria, Queens, New York, and died on February 15, 1984, in New York City at the age of 76. She lived her entire life in the New York area, maintaining her connection to Broadway throughout her career.
What awards did Ethel Merman win?
Ethel Merman won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for 'Call Me Madam' (1950), a Golden Globe for the film version of the same show, and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1972. She was also posthumously awarded the National Medal of Arts and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
What was Ethel Merman's singing style?
Merman was famous for her powerful belting technique that could fill theaters without microphone amplification. Her voice was characterized by its strength, clarity, and ability to sustain long notes with full power. This distinctive style became the gold standard for Broadway leading ladies and influenced generations of musical theater performers who followed in her footsteps.
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Films
1 film
