Ethel Merman

Ethel Merman, born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, was an American singer and actress widely regarded as one of the definitive voices of the golden age of Broadway musical theater. Renowned for her powerful, brassy belt and impeccable diction, she starred in landmark productions including Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Hello, Dolly!, earning her the title «the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage».

Her collaborations with the era's greatest composers shaped the American songbook: she introduced Cole Porter standards such as «I Get a Kick Out of You» and «You're the Top» from Anything Goes, George Gershwin's «I Got Rhythm» from Girl Crazy, and Irving Berlin's «There's No Business Like Show Business», which became her signature song. In Gypsy, she originated the roles that produced enduring numbers like «Everything's Coming Up Roses» and «Rose's Turn».

Beyond the stage, Merman brought her larger-than-life voice to film, appearing in Anything Goes (1936), Call Me Madam (1953), and There's No Business Like Show Business (1954). Her unmistakable vocal power and stage presence made her a defining figure of American musical comedy, influencing generations of Broadway performers who followed.