Ethel Merman was born on Thursday, January 16, 1908 in Astoria, Queens, New York. She is a very well known American actress and singer.
Biography and Career:
Ethel Merman was born in her maternal grandmother's house in Astoria, Queens in New York. Her father Edward Zimmermann was an accountant with James H. Dunham & Co, a Manhattan wholesale dry goods company and her mother Agnes was a school teacher. Her father was a German American and her mother was Scottish American.
Ethel Merman went to P.S.4 and William Cullen Bryant High School where she completed her commercial course that offered secretarial training. She used to take part in the school magazine, the speakers club and the student council. On Friday night she used to with her family to witness the Vaudeville show at
the Palace Theatre, where she saw Blossom Seeley, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker and Nora Bayes. After she got back home she used to try and imitate their singing styles but she has a very distinct voice that was difficult to change easily. In 1924 after she completed her graduation she worked as a stenographer for Boyce -Ite Company.
When Ethel Merman was performing in the Keith Circuit she was signed in the Paramount film "Follow the Leader" starring Ed Wynn and Ginger Rose. She was signed to replace Ruth Etting. Later theatre producer saw her performance and asked her to give her auditions for the role of San Francisco cafe singer Kate Fothergill in the new George and Ira Gershwin musical Girl Crazy.
Ethel Merman got married and divorced four times. Her husbands are: William Smith, a theatrical agent (1940-41); Robert Levitt, a newspaper executive (1941 - 52); Robert Six, President of Continental Airlines (1953 - 60) and Ernest Borgnine an actor (1964) and they got divorced in 32 days.
Short Info:
Birth name: Ethel Agnes Zimmermann
She was born on 16th January 1908 in Astoria, Queens, New York. She has two children Ethel (born July 20, 1942) and Robert Jr. (born August 11, 1945). Ethel Levitt her daughter died in1967 due to overdose of drugs. Ethel Merman died on 15th February 1984 in New York City.
Being born on Jan 16, Ethel was a Capricorn.
Ethel dated Farley Granger and amongst other amorous encounters was Robert Six.
Why do we like Ethel Merman?
We like Ethel Merman because of her distinct voice.
Why is Ethel Merman Famous?
She is famous mainly for her dominant voice and roles in musical theatre; she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage".
Ethel Merman was born on Thursday, January 16, 1908 in Astoria, Queens, New York. She is a very well known American actress and singer.
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