Ethel Shutta (pronounced "shoo-TAY"; December 1, 1896 – February 5, 1976) was an American actress and singer, who came to prominence through her performances on Jack Benny's radio show, her role in the early Eddie Cantor musical Whoopee!, and her Broadway comeback in Follies at the age of 74.
In a 1934 vote held by Radio Stars, she came in second place, behind Annette Hanshaw, as the best "female popular singer.
She debuted on Broadway in The Passing Show of 1922,[2] and then in a series of Florenz Ziegfeld productions including Louie the 14th (1925)[3] and Whoopee!
Kirksey was a sports writer and helped bring major league baseball to Houston, Texas.
She played the role of veteran actress Hattie Walker, and sang "Broadway Baby" in which her character reminisces about her younger days as a chorus girl in the Follies.
Many people have sung "Broadway Baby" over the years, but I don't think anyone has ever been out there "walking off her tired feet" like the 74-year-old Shutta.
"[14] Follies was staged at the Winter Garden Theater[13] where Shutta made her first Broadway appearance in September 1922, in The Passing Show Of 1922.