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Date of Birth
Ethel Merman was born on January 16, 1908 in Astoria, New York, U.S. -
First Show
Her first musical was "Girl's Crazy" in the late 1930's from Gershwin's score. Her role in the show was Kate Forthergill, performed at the Palace Theatre. -
Second Show
The second show Ethel Merman did was 'George White's Scandal' in 1931, playing the role as herself. The play took place at the Majestic Theatre in New York. -
Third Show
Ethen played the role as Wanda Brill is Humpty Dumpty on August of 1932. This show was one of Merman's few flops of her career because of the scandal on the Broadway performance. -
Fourth Show
Ethel Merman's fourth show was 'Take a Chance on November 6, 1932. She was the same role, Wanda Brill, as in her previous show 'Humpty Dumpty.' -
Fifth Show
Ethel Merman performed as Reno Sweeney in the Show 'Anything Goes' in 1934. This show was a broadway show that took place at Niel Simon Theatre. -
Sixth Show
'Red, Hot, and Blue' was Ethel Mermans 5th show on October 9, 1936. The tryouts took place in the Colonial Theatre and the show was opened at the Alvin Theatre in New York City. Ethel Merman played the role as Nails Duquesqe -
Seventh Show
Ethel Merman's 7th show was 'Stars in Your Eyes' on February 9, 1939. Merman returned to broadway February 9th with Arthur Schwartz Fields musical "Stars in Your Eyes,' which ran 127 performances. Merman's role in this musical was Jeanette Adair. -
Eighth Show
The show 'Dubarry was a Lady on December 6, 1939, became Ethel Merman's biggest hit since 'Anything Goes' with a run of 408 performances. Her role was May Daly and Madam Dubarry. -
Ninth Show
Panama Hattie was Merman's 9th show on October 30,1940. The show opened at 46th Street Theatre in New York and ran for 501 performances. Merman's role was Hattie Moloney. -
Marriage #1
On November 15, 1940, Ethel Merman married William Smith. They were married for one year before they divorced. -
Marriage #2
Ethel Merman married Robert Levitt on December 18 of 1941. They were married from 1941-1952 (11 years - longest marriage she had) before divorcing. An article by 'Musicals101' states that there were some business difficulties that made it hard for Levitt to deal with Merman's success, leading into a divorce. -
Tenth Show
Ethel Merman performed the role of Blosson Hart in the show 'Something for the Boys in 1943,. This show was Ethels 5th Power Musicaland consisted of 422 performances -
Eleventh Show
Ethel Merman performed the role of Annie Oakley in 'Annie Get Your Gun in 1946. This show was a Broadway hit with 1147 performances -
Twelfth Show
Ethel Merman took the role of Sally Adams in the show 'Call Me Madam' on October 12, 1950. 'Call Me Madam' opened in the Imperial Theatre and ran for 644 performances. -
Marriage #3
On March 9, 1953, Robert Six and Ethel Merman married. Robert Six was the President of the Continental Airlines (headquarters in Denver). They were married for 7 years after dating for a year prior. The couple divorced in 1960 due to Ethel Merman finding out about the affair Robert Six had with another woman. -
Thirteenth Show
'Happy Hunting' was Merman's 13th show on December 6, 1956. Her role was Liz Livingstone. The show had 412 performances overall and was previously based off a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. -
Fourteenth Show
The show called 'Gypsy' was opened on May 21, 1959 and had a total of 702 performances before its closing on March 25, 1961. Ethel Merman plays the role of Rose Hovick. The show opened at Broadway Theatre and was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. -
Marriage #4
Ernest Borgnine and Ethel Merman married on June 27, 1964 for 38 days. The reason for their failed marriage was because on their honeymoon, fans paid more attention for Borgnine rather than Merman. Later, they both admit their marriage was a colossal mistake. -
Fifteenth Show
Ethel Merman's 15th show was 'Annie Get Your Gun' revival on September 21, 1966 - revival). The show took place 20 years after the first 'Annie Get Your Gun.' Merman was still Annie Oakley from 1946. In total, there were 78 performances -
Sixteenth Show
'Hello Dolly' on December 27, 1970 - replacement cast was Ethel Merman's last show. In total, there were 210 performances. Merman agreed to take the lead role of Dolly Levi for a three month run. -
Date of Death
Ethel Merman died on February 15, 1984 in New York, New York, at the age of 76. She was remembered as someone who performed with a strong, clear voice because, back then, they did not have microphones.