What was Ethel Mertz's maiden name?

What was Ethel Mertz’s maiden name? Ethel Mertz’s maiden name was Potter.

Ethel Potter became Ethel Mertz after marrying Fred Mertz, her longtime vaudeville partner and husband. Vivian Vance played Ethel on I Love Lucy, where the character served as Lucy Ricardo’s closest friend, neighbor, and frequent partner in comic schemes.

The character’s full name is generally given as Ethel Mae Mertz, née Potter, although different episodes and reference materials vary on some middle-name details. Her background includes growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her father, Will Potter, owned a sweet shop and soda fountain.

Ethel and Fred had performed together in vaudeville before settling into life as landlords in New York. That history explains why Ethel could sing and perform, even though she was usually presented as more practical and settled than Lucy. “McGillicuddy” is a common distractor because it is Lucy’s maiden family name, not Ethel’s.