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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 Switzerland. They are a childless couple. Fred and Ethel eventually move to Connecticut with the Ricardos and live in their guest house to help
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and an inveterate snoop, she often tries to read Lucy's mail, especially postcards, which she claims are fair game. At times slightly vain, as in one episode when a concert in New Mexico goes to her head, she has a thicker skin than Lucy and seldom takes offense. She is easily able to parry Fred's
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Somewhat lonely, she is devoted to Lucy and her family. Despite her common sense, 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
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Occasional episodes of competition occur between them, mostly in relation to show business. When they are in competition for the same part, Ethel, having actual experience, always has the edge over Lucy, which in turn leads Lucy to mention Ethel's greater age and weight. Despite their spats, they
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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 and a diner, and marketing a homemade salad dressing. Though not
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Ethel was born in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her father, Will Potter, owned a sweet shop and soda fountain with the slogan "You can lick our cones, but you can't beat our sodas!". Ethel went on to a career in music and acting, yet got her start at Albuquerque's Little Theater, singing her
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In appearance blonde and supposedly a beauty in her youth, 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
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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.
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afraid to be critical of Lucy, especially when Lucy's schemes create trouble for others, Ethel will always bail out her friend.
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voice, among other artistic talents, but unlike Lucy, is now unambitious and content as a housewife and landlady.
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Although Ethel's mother is apparently alive and well during the first season, viewers never meet Mrs. Potter. A
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Vivian Vance portrayed
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on May 3 in either 1933 or 1927; the length of their marriage changed during the series.
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them raise chickens and sell their eggs for profit; they also appear regularly on
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to try to correct a mix-up between a strand of real pearls and fake pearls.
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apartment building in New York City, containing the apartment they rent to
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with Fred before settling down and purchasing their own
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Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum & Center for Comedy
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49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
380:(New York: Workman Publishing, 2008), March 21.
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109:Learn how and when to remove this message
675:American female characters in television
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622:(2003 film)
565:Here's Lucy
506:I Love Lucy
448:Ethel Mertz
418:I Love Lucy
343:Here's Lucy
329:I Love Lucy
134:I Love Lucy
644:Categories
443:Fred Mertz
426:Characters
365:References
260:brownstone
256:vaudeville
249:Fred Mertz
165:Background
159:vaudeville
151:Fred Mertz
69:newspapers
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350:Reception
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531:Related
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