Vivian Vance
Vivian Vance was an American actress best known for playing Ethel Mertz on the sitcom I Love Lucy.
TV Actress
July 26, 1909
Leo
August 17, 1979
70
Cherryvale, Kansas, United States
Vivian Vance, born as Vivian Roberta Jones, was a renowned American actress and singer, most famous for her portrayal of Ethel Mertz on the iconic sitcom “I Love Lucy.” Born in Cherryvale, Kansas, she later adopted the stage name Vance from her mother’s middle name. Vance had a successful career in film, theater, and television, with notable works such as “The Great Adventure,” “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour,” “The Red Skelton Hour,” “The Lucy Show,” and “Here’s Lucy.” She even won a Tony Award for her role in “The Voice of the Turtle.”
In her early career, Vance was a trained singer who performed with bands and in musical theater productions. She also recorded a few songs in the 1950s, but her acting career soon took precedence. Vance’s comedic talent and timing made her a beloved figure in American television, and her role as Ethel Mertz remains her most iconic performance.
Vance studied drama under Anna Ingleman and William Inge and grew up in Independence, Kansas, with her brother and four sisters. She reprised her role as Ethel Mertz in various special features and TV shows, including “Texaco Star Theatre.” In 2012, Vance was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame alongside her “I Love Lucy” co-star William Frawley.
Throughout her career, Vance faced personal struggles with depression and was one of the first celebrities to openly discuss mental illness, bringing attention to an important issue.
