Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman Facts
| Sign | Capricorn |
| Born |
Jan 16, 1908 Astoria, NY |
| Died |
Feb 15, 1984 New York City, NY |
| Age | Died at 76 |
| Total Facts | 27 |
Bertolt Brecht actually desired to have the raucous Ethel play the title role of his masterpiece "Mother Courage...and Her Children." She, of course, never did.
According to author Boze Hadleigh, in his book "Broadway Babylon," Merman was fond of telling risqué (if not downright vulgar) jokes, just to see what sort of reaction she'd get. Even her close friends found this habit more embarrassing than amusing.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 560-562. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
Daughter Ethel Levitt was born July 20, 1942.
Devised her screen and stage name by removing the first three letters (Zim) and the last letter (n) from her birth name - Zimmermann
Former mother-in-law of murdered Barbara Colby whose untimely funeral she attended
Her daughter Ethel was married to William Geary in 1960. She gave birth to Merman's first grandchild, Barbara Jean, on February 20, 1961. She later gave birth to a son, Michael Geary.
Her daughter, Ethel Jr. died of an overdose of drugs and alcohol in 1967.
Her final film role was in the Jerry Zucker / Jim Abrahams / David Zucker film, Airplane! (1980). Coincidentally, John Houseman died soon after filming The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), also a ZAZ film, but before its theatrical release.
Her third husband, Robert F. Six, was CEO of Continental Airlines.
In 1979 she released her most controversial album-to-date, a disco LP simply titled "The Ethel Merman Disco Album." Despite it not even charting on the Billboard charts, and many people's skepticism about the then 71-year-old veteran performing her Broadway hits to a disco beat, it was a smash hit, being played in Studio 54 regularly, with live appearances by Merman, herself. It also became a staple period album for the majority of the gay community.
Nominated for 1957 Tony for Leading Actress in a Musical for "Happy Hunting".
Nominated for 1960 Tony for Leading Actress in a Musical for "Gypsy".
Of German-Scottish ancestry.
One son, Bobby.
Recreated both her Broadway starring roles of Mrs. Sally Adams from Call Me Madame and Reno Sweeney from Anything Goes! in the movie versions.
She loved Christmas so much, that she kept her Christmas tree up year-round
She suffered a miscarriage during her marriage to Robert Levitt.
She was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 7044 Hollywood Boulevard and for Recording at 1751 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
She was either seen or heard (or both) in several of the opening credits of film of TV adaptations of shows in which she recreated her original roles. In the 1936 film of "Anything Goes" she appears singing a phrase of the title song before the opening credits even appear; in the 1953 film of "Call M<e Madam", she is heard saying the words "Call me madam" as the title appears onscreen, and in the 1967 TV adaptation of "Annie Get Your Gun", the credits appear on targets at which she shoots.
She won a Tony for "Call Me Madam"
Son Robert Levitt Jr. was born August 11, 1945.
Thrice-wed Merman married twice-wed Ernest Borgnine in 1964. Their marriage was dissolved after 32 days. They had announced their impending nuptials at the legendary New York night spot P.J. Clarke's, but Borgnine, who was riding high as the star of "McHale's Navy" (1962) at the time, said the marriage began unraveling on their honeymoon, when he received more fan attention than she did. The competitive Merman was left seething. "By the time we got home, it was hell on earth," Borgnine recalled in a 2001 interview. "And after 32 days I said to her, 'Madam, bye.'" Borgnine went on to marry a third time, but Merman remained single after her divorce. In her 1978 biography, she devoted a chapter of her autobiography to the marriage: It consisted of one blank page.
When she died, she left $800,000 to be divided between her son and her two grandchildren.
Winner of 1951 Tony for Leading Actress in a Musical for "Call Me Madam".
Won a 1972 Special Tony Award (New York City).
Won a Tony for her role in the musical "Call Me Madam" (1951); Tony-nominated for musical "Happy Hunting" (1957); Tony-nominated for musical "Gypsy" (1960); Recipient of Tony Special Award (1972)