The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Merman, Ethel
1909–84, American musical comedy star, b. Astoria, N.Y., originally named Ethel Zimmerman. Merman’s theater debut was in Girl Crazy (1930). Noted for her booming voice, she has appeared on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam (also the film version, 1953), and Gypsy. Among her films are Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938) and There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954).
