The Marx Brothers
Biographies
Get to know about the Marx Brothers individually with these very interesting biographies!
Harpo Marx
Harpo Marx was born on November 23, 1888 but as Adolph Marx. He changed his name to Arthur however during World War I because Adolph was "too German". It is said that Harpo was given his stage name during a card game where the dealer, Art Fisher, called him it because of his talent for playing the harp. Harpo says it was his mother, Minnie Marx, who first gave him the harp. He didn't know how to play and didn't know anyone who could teach him so he taught himself and used his own playing style and an odd tuning. Later in life he learned how to play correctly but still used his own tuning in his performances on stage and on film. Harpo can in fact speak but he developed a silent but very expressive onstage persona. HIs comedic mute role gained him great fame and recognition. After his career in show business Harpo wrote an autobiography titled "Harpo Speaks!". Harpo Marx died September 28, 1964.
Groucho Marx
October 2, 1890 was the day the amazing Groucho Marx was born. Born Julius Marx, Groucho was the first of the Marx brothers to get on stage. At the young age of fifteen he sang with a trio. Groucho Marx is of course known for his grease painted moustache, his large eyebrows, round glasses, and a fat cigar hanging from the side of his mouth. He was always the most quck witted of the Marx borthers in their films and performances, always ready with a ridiculous remark or pun. Groucho Marx stayed in show business the longest out of all the Marx brothers. He appeared in films without the other Marx brothers, worked on a radio station, and even hosted a comedic quiz game show. The name of the game show was "You Bet Your Life". The show started on radio but eventually advanced to television. August 19, 1977 marks Groucho Marx's death.
Zeppo Marx
Zeppo Marx, the youngest of the Marx brothers, was bron on February 25, 1901. When Herbert Marx, which was Zeppo's birth name, was younger he was often getting into fights. He used to be quite the troublemaker and rumor has it that Minnie Marx, the brothers' mother, put him in the show business to keep him out of trouble. Zeppo always played the straight character in comparison to his brothers' very comedic roles.His brothers always said that he was much better than the support actors that followed him after he left the stage. Nevertheless, Zeppo quit acting and did many different jobs. These included work as a mechanic, machining parts for World War I, grew grapefruits, was a commercial fisherman, and ran a talent agency with Gummo. His brothers often said that he was the funniest of them all despite his relatively straight roles. Zeppo Marx was the last of the Marx Brothers to die but passed away on November 30, 1979.
Gummo Marx
Born on October 23, 1892, Gummo Marx's real name was Milton. Gummo did not appear in any of the Marx Brother's films because he enlisted in World War I, then when he returned he decided to give up show business for manufacturing and established himself as an inventor. He made a patent for a four-sided laundry box. Gummo sold clothing for a while for a while before he went back into show business, only this time as a travel agent along with Zeppo. Gummo worked as an agent for his brothers for many years and made a good name for himself in the business. He is very much forgotten by the fans of the Marx Brothers because of his limited time on stage. Gummo Marx died on April 21, 1977.
CHICO Marx
Chico Marx, the eldest of the Marx brothers, was born on March 22nd, 1887. He is best known for his fake italian accent that he uses frequently onstage. Born Leanord Marx, it is said that he gained the nickname "Chico" from chasing "chickens". Chickens, now chicks, was a common slang term back in the day for women. Chico Marx played in every Marx brother film and vaudeville act. In these he wrestled, clowned, and played piano. He was said to be the most reckless of the Marx brothers. He frequently gambled, and those who knew him personally often remarked on Chico's way with women. Chico Marx died on October 11, 1961.