Ethel Merman.

Ethel Agnes Zimmermann

Born 16 Jan 1908 Astoria, Queens, United States

Died 15 Feb 1984 Manhattan, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 118 yr If Living

13 min read

Reading time

2,567

Words

Sep 28, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Broadway’s quintessential belter, Ethel Merman originated Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes 1934, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun 1946, and Mama Rose in Gypsy 1959. She won a Tony Award for Call Me Madam in 1951. Her powerful, untrained voice made her the preferred interpreter for Irving Berlin and Cole Porter.

Identity & family.

KIN · 6

Names, aliases, and relatives of Ethel Merman — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Ethel Agnes Zimmermann

Aliases Miss Ethel Merman

Spouses: Ernest Borgnine Robert Logan Forman Six Robert Daniels Levitt William B. Smith
Children: Ethel Levitt Geary Robert Levitt Jr.

At a glance.

STATS

Ethel Merman by the numbers — life, work, and family.

76 Years lived

4 Awards

4 Marriages

2 Children

Who was Ethel Merman?

BIOGRAPHY

Ethel Merman — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Ethel Agnes Zimmermann was born on January 16, 1908 in the Astoria section of Queens, New York City. Her father Edward was a bookkeeper of German descent, and her mother Agnes had Scottish immigrant roots. She grew up at 29-08 31st Avenue in Astoria and graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in 1924.

Before her show business career, Merman trained as a secretary, learning shorthand and typing, and supported herself with clerical jobs. She was raised a strict Episcopalian, a background that contrasted with the boisterous stage persona she developed.

Career

On October 14, 1930, Merman made her stage debut alongside Ginger Rogers in Girl Crazy, introducing the song I Got Rhythm by George and Ira Gershwin. The performance instantly established her as a Broadway force.

She originated the role of Reno Sweeney in Cole Porter’s Anything Goes in 1934, a role she reprised in the 1936 film. In 1946, she played Annie Oakley in Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun, delivering There’s No Business Like Show Business and You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun. Her next success came with Call Me Madam in 1951, earning her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Her final original Broadway role was Mama Rose in Gypsy in 1959, a performance she considered her favorite. The show’s anthem Everything’s Coming Up Roses became her signature. Merman also appeared in films, including the musicals Anything Goes 1936 and Call Me Madam 1953, and a cameo in the 1980 comedy Airplane!

Personal life

Merman was married four times. Her first marriage to William B. Smith lasted from November 1940 to October 1941. She then married Robert Daniels Levitt in December 1941; they had two children, daughter Ethel born July 20, 1942 and son Robert Levitt Jr. born August 11, 1945, before divorcing in June 1952.

In March 1953, she married Robert Logan Forman Six, CEO of Continental Airlines; they divorced in December 1960. Her most notorious marriage was to actor Ernest Borgnine in June 1964. They separated after 11 days, and Borgnine filed for divorce on October 21, charging mental cruelty. Merman later devoted a blank page in her autobiography to that marriage.

Her daughter Ethel died of a drug overdose on August 23, 1967, ruled accidental. Merman also suffered a miscarriage during her marriage to Levitt. She kept her Christmas tree up year-round due to her love for Christmas. After her divorce from Borgnine, she remained single.

Legacy

In 1972, Merman received a Career Achievement Tony Award and earned two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for motion pictures and recording. Her voice, loud enough to be heard in the third balcony, earned her the nickname Old Yeller. She inspired generations of performers, and her recordings of I Got Rhythm and Everything’s Coming Up Roses remain definitive.

Her 1979 disco album became a cult favorite, especially in the gay community. Diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in April 1983, she died of natural causes on February 15, 1984 at age 76.

Merman’s legacy endures as the pre-eminent star of Broadway musical comedy, an untrained singer who could belt out a song with unmatched power, and the originator of some of the most enduring roles in musical theater history.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Ethel Merman — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 7

A wall of memorable lines from Ethel Merman — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I Can Never Remember Being Afraid of an Audience. If the Audience Could Do Better, They’d Be up Here on Stage and I’d Be Out There Watching Them.
I Don’t Want to Sound Pretentious, but in a Funny Way I Feel I’m the Last of a Kind. I Don’t Mean That There Aren’t Some Girls Out There Somewhere Who Are Just as Talented as I Was. but Even If They Are, Where Will They Find the Shows Like Girl Crazy, Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam and Gypsy? They Just Don’t Produce Those Vehicles Anymore.
I Take a Breath When I Have To.
I Can Hold a Note as Long as the Chase National Bank.
Broadway Has Been Very Good to Me. but Then, I’ve Been Very Good to Broadway.
You’ll Never Prove You’re Too Good for a Job by Not Doing Your Best
Not to Pat Myself on the Back, but When I Do a Show, the Whole Show Revolves Around Me. and If I Don’t Show Up, They Can Just Forget It!

Did you know?

FACTS · 43

Little-known facts about Ethel Merman — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Stand-by Elaine Stritch once told a story illustrating Merman’s showmanship: while performing the song Can You Use Any Money Today, a drunken audience member kept calling out. Merman stopped, walked offstage, into the audience, yanked the man from his seat, dragged him up the aisle, threw him out the theater door, then returned to center stage and hit the final note as if nothing had happened.
Merman kept her Christmas tree up all year long because she loved Christmas.
Merman’s marriage to Ernest Borgnine in 1964 ended after 32 days. Borgnine filed for divorce on October 21, citing mental cruelty, and Merman filed a cross-complaint. The divorce was granted on November 18, 1964 after 22 minutes of testimony. In her 1978 autobiography, she devoted a chapter to the marriage that consisted of one blank page.
Before her stage success, Merman worked as a secretary, using her skills in shorthand and typing to support herself.
In the 1980 film Airplane!, Merman made a cameo as a mental patient who believes he is Ethel Merman, sitting up to sing Everything’s Coming Up Roses.
On April 7, 1983, Merman collapsed in her Manhattan apartment and was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma after exploratory surgery. The tumor was inoperable; she died of natural causes on February 15, 1984.
With second husband Robert Daniels Levitt, Merman had two children: daughter Ethel born July 20, 1942 and son Robert Levitt Jr. born August 11, 1945. Her daughter died of a drug overdose on August 23, 1967, ruled accidental.
Her powerful voice earned her the nickname Old Yeller, as it could be heard from the third balcony.
In the mid-1960s, the U.S. Post Office hired Merman to sing a song promoting ZIP codes, which was featured in an animated short with a cartoon postman named Zippy, credited with helping popularize the system.
The album did not chart, but Merman’s 1979 disco album The Ethel Merman Disco Album became a hit at Studio 54 and a cult favorite in the gay community.
Merman was the former mother-in-law of actress Barbara Colby, who was murdered; she attended Colby’s funeral.
Merman appeared or was heard in the opening credits of film and TV adaptations of her stage roles, including singing in Anything Goes 1936, speaking the title line in Call Me Madam 1953, and shooting at target credits in the TV movie Annie Get Your Gun 1967.
The role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! was written for Merman, but she initially turned it down; she later played the role in 1970 until the show closed that December.
Merman reprised her stage roles of Mrs. Sally Adams in the film version of Call Me Madam 1953 and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes 1936.
Merman considered Mama Rose in Gypsy her favorite role; it was the last Broadway role she originated.
Merman has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for motion pictures at 7044 Hollywood Boulevard and for recording at 1751 Vine Street.
Her third husband, Robert F. Six, served as CEO of Continental Airlines.
She created the stage name Merman by removing the first three letters Zim and the last letter n from Zimmermann.
Merman’s funeral was held at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Manhattan. She was cremated, and her urn was later entombed at Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Merman is one of only four actors to have been both a Special Guest Villain on Batman 1966 and a guest star on The Muppet Show 1976, and the only woman to achieve this.
At the 26th Tony Awards in 1972, Merman received a Career Achievement Tony and performed a medley of her hits, including I Got Rhythm, Anything Goes, You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun, and Everything’s Coming Up Roses.
Upon her death, Merman left $800,000 to be split between her son and two grandchildren.
Her brief 1964 marriage to Ernest Borgnine, lasting less than five months, was a frequent topic for stand-up comedians.
Author Boze Hadleigh wrote in Broadway Babylon that Merman enjoyed telling risqué jokes to gauge reactions, a habit that embarrassed even her close friends.
Merman is thought to be the inspiration for Helen Lawson in Valley of the Dolls. Judy Garland was originally cast in the film but was replaced by Susan Hayward, whose singing voice was dubbed by Margaret Whiting.
Merman won a Tony Award for Call Me Madam 1951, was nominated for Happy Hunting 1957 and Gypsy 1960, and received a Special Tony Award in 1972.
Her father’s family was from Pennsylvania and of German descent; her maternal grandparents were Scottish immigrants.
She was nominated for the Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Musical in 1957 for Happy Hunting.
Her daughter Ethel married William Geary in 1960 and had two children: Barbara Jean born February 20, 1961 and Michael Geary.
Playwright Bertolt Brecht wanted Merman to star in Mother Courage and Her Children, but she never performed the role.
She received a Tony nomination in 1960 for her performance in Gypsy.
Merman won the Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Musical in 1951 for Call Me Madam.
Her father, Edward, worked as a bookkeeper and lived to age 96.
During her marriage to Robert Levitt, Merman suffered a miscarriage.
In the late 1930s, Merman was under contract with 20th Century-Fox after a few films with stars like Alice Faye and Tyrone Power, but the studio did not renew.
Her parents, Edward Zimmerman 1879-1977 and Agnes Zimmerman 1883-1974, married on August 2, 1905 in Queens, New York.
Merman is profiled in The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Volume One 1981-1985.
She grew up at 29-08 31st Avenue in Astoria, New York.
In 1972, Merman received a Special Tony Award.
She graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens in 1924.
Merman made her stage debut on October 14, 1930, alongside Ginger Rogers in Girl Crazy.
She originated the Broadway roles of Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes 1934, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun 1946, and Mama Rose in Gypsy 1959.
Merman was raised as a strict Episcopalian.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Ethel Merman.

When was Ethel Merman born?

Ethel Merman was born on January 16, 1908. Her full birth name was Ethel Agnes Zimmermann.
Where was Ethel Merman born?

She was born in the Astoria section of Queens, New York City, New York. The specific address was 29-08 31st Avenue in Astoria.
When did Ethel Merman die?

Ethel Merman died on February 15, 1984. She was 76 years old at the time of her death.
How old was Ethel Merman when she died?

She was 76 years old when she passed away on February 15, 1984. She had been diagnosed with glioblastoma in April 1983.
Where did Ethel Merman die?

Ethel Merman died in Manhattan, New York City, New York. She had been living there at the time of her death.
How did Ethel Merman die?

Ethel Merman died of natural causes, specifically due to stage 4 glioblastoma that had been diagnosed in April 1983. The tumor was inoperable.
What is Ethel Merman's real name?

Her real name was Ethel Agnes Zimmermann. She derived her stage name Merman by removing the first three letters Zim and the last letter n from Zimmermann.
What does Ethel Merman do for a living?

Ethel Merman was an actress and soundtrack artist who starred in Broadway musicals like Anything Goes and Gypsy.
What nationality is Ethel Merman?

Ethel Merman was American. She was born in New York City and spent most of her life there.
What language does Ethel Merman speak?

Ethel Merman’s native language was English. She was born and raised in New York City.
Who is Ethel Merman married to?

Ethel Merman was married four times: to William B. Smith 1940-1941, Robert Daniels Levitt 1941-1952, Robert Logan Forman Six 1953-1960, and Ernest Borgnine 1964, annulled after 32 days.
Does Ethel Merman have children?

Yes, she had two children with her second husband Robert Daniels Levitt: daughter Ethel Levitt Geary born July 20, 1942 and son Robert Levitt Jr. born August 11, 1945.
Where did Ethel Merman go to school?

She attended William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens, New York, and graduated in 1924. She also trained as a secretary, learning shorthand and typing.
What awards has Ethel Merman won?

Ethel Merman won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Call Me Madam in 1951. She also received a Special Tony Award in 1972, and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
How many awards has Ethel Merman won?

She won at least four major awards including a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, and Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year. She also received multiple nominations.
What is Ethel Merman best known for?

Ethel Merman originated roles in Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, and Gypsy. She also appeared in films like Airplane!
How tall was Ethel Merman?

Ethel Merman was 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is approximately 1.66 meters. Her height was often noted alongside her commanding stage presence.
What was Ethel Merman's stage alias?

Ethel Merman was sometimes referred to as Miss Ethel Merman. This alias was used in formal introductions and programs.
How many award nominations did Ethel Merman receive?

Ethel Merman received multiple Tony Award nominations. She was nominated for Happy Hunting in 1957 and Gypsy in 1960, in addition to her win for Call Me Madam.
What was Ethel Merman known for?

Ethel Merman had a powerful, untrained voice and starred in Broadway musicals. She also made film appearances, including a cameo in Airplane!
What was Ethel Merman's signature Broadway role?

She considered Mama Rose in Gypsy 1959 her favorite role; it was the last Broadway role she originated.
Did Ethel Merman win a Tony Award for Call Me Madam?

Yes, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Mrs. Sally Adams in Call Me Madam in 1951.
What was the cause of Ethel Merman's death?

The cause of death was natural causes resulting from glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. She was diagnosed in April 1983 and died on February 15, 1984.
Who was Ethel Merman married to for the shortest time?

Her shortest marriage was to actor Ernest Borgnine in 1964. The couple separated after 11 days and divorced after 32 days.
How did Ethel Merman get her stage name?

She derived the name Merman from her birth surname Zimmermann by removing the first three letters Zim and the last letter n.
What was Ethel Merman's favorite role?

Her favorite role was Mama Rose in Gypsy. It was the last Broadway role she originated, and she considered it the peak of her career.
In which film did Ethel Merman make a cameo playing herself as a mental patient?

In the 1980 comedy Airplane!, she appeared as a mental patient who believes he is Ethel Merman and sings Everything’s Coming Up Roses.
What was Ethel Merman's height?

Ethel Merman stood 5 feet 6 inches tall 1.66 m. Her height was complemented by her powerful stage presence.
Did Ethel Merman graduate from high school?

Yes, she graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens, New York, in 1924.
How many stars does Ethel Merman have on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

She has two stars: one for motion pictures at 7044 Hollywood Boulevard and one for recording at 1751 Vine Street.

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Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on September 28, 2026

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