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Ethel Merman

Ethel Merman

Acting·1908–1984·49 films

Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 – February 15, 1984) was an American actress and singer. Known primarily for her powerful voice and roles in musical theatre, she has been called "the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage." Among the many standards introduced by Merman in Broadway musicals are "I Got Rhythm", "Everything's Coming Up Roses", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "It's De-Lovely", "Friendship", "You're the Top", "Anything Goes", and "There's No Business Like Show Business", which later became her theme song.

Filmography

Airplane!
Airplane! (1980)Lieutenant Hurwitz
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)Mrs. Marcus
There's No Business Like Show Business
There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)Molly Donahue
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979)Lilly Loraine (voice)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)Jerry Allen
Six by Sondheim
Six by Sondheim (2013)Self (archive footage)
Journey Back to Oz
Journey Back to Oz (1972)Mombi (voice)
The Muppets Go Hollywood
The Muppets Go Hollywood (1979)Self
Call Me Madam
Call Me Madam (1953)Sally Adams
Stage Door Canteen
Stage Door Canteen (1943)Ethel Merman
Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon
Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon (2008)Self (archive)
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)Hedda Parsons
The Art of Love
The Art of Love (1965)Madame Coco La Fontaine
The Big Broadcast of 1936
The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935)Ethel Merman
We're Not Dressing
We're Not Dressing (1934)Edith
Anything Goes
Anything Goes (1936)Reno Sweeney
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975)Self (archive footage)
Strike Me Pink
Strike Me Pink (1936)Joyce Lennox
Follow the Leader
Follow the Leader (1930)Helen King
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003)Self (archive footage)
Kid Millions
Kid Millions (1934)Dot Clark
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years
The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986)Self (archive footage)
The Fabulous Allan Carr
The Fabulous Allan Carr (2017)Self (archive)
A Special Sesame Street Christmas
A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978)Self
Anything Goes
Anything Goes (1954)Reno Sweeney
You Try Somebody Else
You Try Somebody Else (1932)Self
Night of 100 Stars
Night of 100 Stars (1982)Self
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards (2005)Self (segment "Ethel Merman Medley") (archive footage)
Happy Landing
Happy Landing (1938)Flo Kelly
The Dean Martin Christmas Show
The Dean Martin Christmas Show (1968)Self (uncredited)
Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons
Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons (1995)Self (archive footage)
Around the World of Mike Todd
Around the World of Mike Todd (1968)Self
Straight, Place and Show
Straight, Place and Show (1938)Linda Tyler
Song Shopping
Song Shopping (1933)Ethel Merman
The Ford 50th Anniversary Show
The Ford 50th Anniversary Show (1953)Herself
This Is Bob Hope...
This Is Bob Hope... (2017)Self (archive footage)
Muppet Treasures
Muppet Treasures (1985)Self
Time on My Hands
Time on My Hands (1932)Self
Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'
Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World' (1991)Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Annie Get Your Gun
Annie Get Your Gun (1967)Annie Oakley
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression (2009)Self (archive footage)
The Mountains of the Moon
The Mountains of the Moon (1967)Rosanna McCloud
Judy Garland Duets
Judy Garland Duets (2005)Self (archive footage)
The Best of Broadway
The Best of Broadway (1985)Herself
You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story
You're the Top: The Cole Porter Story (1990)Self (archive footage)
Creating Ragtime
Creating Ragtime (1998)Self (archival footage)
Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show
Great Broadway Musical Moments from the Ed Sullivan Show (2003)Self - Interviewee (archive footage)
It's a Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie Point
It's a Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie, Zabriskie Point (2023)Mrs. Marcus (archive footage)
Musical Comedy Tonight
Musical Comedy Tonight (1979)