On this day, February 15, 1984, legendary Broadway star Ethel Merman passed away at the age of 76 from brain cancer. Known as Broadway’s First Lady of Musical Comedy, Merman’s powerful voice and commanding stage presence made her one of the most celebrated performers in theater history.
She was best known for her signature song There's No Business Like Show Business, which became an anthem for the entertainment industry. Merman starred in some of Broadway’s most iconic productions, including Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Anything Goes, delivering show-stopping performances that defined an era of musical theater.
Beyond Broadway, Merman also had success in Hollywood, television, and recordings. Her brassy, unmistakable voice influenced generations of performers, and her legacy remains a cornerstone of American musical theater.
Fun fact: Ethel Merman never took formal singing lessons—her powerful, clear voice was entirely natural, and she was known for belting out songs without needing a microphone.
Trivia question: Which legendary composer wrote Annie Get Your Gun, the Broadway musical that featured Ethel Merman’s iconic performance of There's No Business Like Show Business?
She was best known for her signature song There's No Business Like Show Business, which became an anthem for the entertainment industry. Merman starred in some of Broadway’s most iconic productions, including Annie Get Your Gun, Gypsy, and Anything Goes, delivering show-stopping performances that defined an era of musical theater.
Beyond Broadway, Merman also had success in Hollywood, television, and recordings. Her brassy, unmistakable voice influenced generations of performers, and her legacy remains a cornerstone of American musical theater.
Fun fact: Ethel Merman never took formal singing lessons—her powerful, clear voice was entirely natural, and she was known for belting out songs without needing a microphone.
Trivia question: Which legendary composer wrote Annie Get Your Gun, the Broadway musical that featured Ethel Merman’s iconic performance of There's No Business Like Show Business?
