Ethel Merman

Birth Name: Ethel Agnes Zimmerman

Date of Birth: January 16, 1908

Place of Birth: Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, United States

Date of Death: February 15, 1984

Place of Death: New York City, New York

Ethnicity:
*German (father)
*Scottish (mother)

Ethel Merman was an American actress and singer. She was born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann. Her father, Edward Zimmerman, was of German descent. Her mother, Agnes (Gardner), was of Scottish descent. While some thought Ethel was of Jewish heritage, she was not.

Ethel’s paternal grandparents were Charles Zimmermann (the son of George Christopher Zimmermann and Julianna Messner) and Emma Cecilia Schafer (the daughter of John Michael Schafer/Schaeffer and Martha Becker). Charles and Emma were both of German descent.

Ethel’s maternal grandparents were Robert G. Gardner and Mary Ann Hunter. Robert and Mary were Scottish immigrants.