Ethel Roberta Louise Mae Mertz (née Potter) is one of the four main fictional characters in the highly popular 1950s and 1960s American television sitcom I Love Lucy, played by Vivian Vance. Ethel is the main character Lucy's middle-aged landlady - supposed to have been born about 1905, and raised in New Mexico. She is married to Fred Mertz, played by William Frawley, with whom she is supposed to have had a career in vaudeville. The two female characters are close friends, habitually scheming together, Ethel being generally the voice of reason as a counterpart to Lucy's hare-brained ideas.
Born around 1905 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her father, Will Potter, owned a sweet shop and soda fountain, Ethel has had a career in music and acting. A flapper in the 1920s, she met and married Fred Mertz either in 1933 (episode #2) or 1927 (episode #42)-the length of their marriage changed during the series. Ethel worked in vaudeville with Fred before settling down and purchasing their own brownstone apartment building, containing the apartment they rent to Ricky and Lucy. Some of Ricky's shows have included Ethel and/or Fred in the production, with the effect of making Lucy determined to get in on the act.
In appearance blonde and supposedly a beauty in her youth, in personality Ethel is unsentimental yet warm, proud and extremely loyal, with her tendency to be sharp-tongued leading to moments of hilarity. She has a fine soprano voice, among other artistic talents, but unlike Lucy is now unambitious and content as a housewife and landlady. Somewhat lonely, she is devoted to Lucy and her family. Despite her commonsense outlook, she is often fascinated by the possibilities for excitement opened up by Lucy's mad schemes. Although continually complaining about Fred's penny-pinching and other faults, she defers to him far more than Lucy does to Ricky. Something of a gossip and an inveterate snoop, she is often tries to read Lucy's mail, especially post cards which she claims are fair game. At times shown as slightly vain, as in one episode when a concert in New Mexico goes to her head, she has on the other hand a thicker skin than Lucy and seldom takes offense. She is easily able to parry Fred's frequent disparaging remarks.
Ethel and Lucy, although landlady and tenant, are the best of friends, gossiping and supporting each other during difficult times. They are seen entering several business ventures together, including owning and running a dress shop, a diner and marketing a homemade salad dressing. Though not afraid to be critical of Lucy, especially when Lucy's schemes create trouble for others, Ethel will always bail her friend out. There are occasional episodes of competition between Ethel and Lucy, mostly in relation to show business. On occasions when they are in competition for the same part, Ethel, having actual experience, always has the edge over Lucy; this in turn leads Lucy to mention Ethel's greater age and weight. Despite their spats, they always make up again by the end of the show. Lucy relies a great deal on her friend's more practical nature and calmer disposition.
Along with Lucy's husband Ricky and her own husband, Fred, Ethel travels to many places in the United States and Europe, such as England, France, Italy and Germany. According to an episode in Season 4, Ethel's and Fred's wedding anniversary is May 3, although the duration of their marriage changes several times during the show.
According to Entertainment Weekly she is one of the "greatest sidekicks."[1]
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