Groucho Marx: Difference between revisions
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| caption = Marx in ''[[Copacabana (1947 film)|Copacabana]]'' (1947) | | caption = Marx in ''[[Copacabana (1947 film)|Copacabana]]'' (1947) | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1890|10|02}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1890|10|02}} | ||
| birth_place = [[ | | birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S. | ||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|1977|08|19|1890|10|02}} | | death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|1977|08|19|1890|10|02}} | ||
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | | death_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S. | ||
| resting_place = [[Eden Memorial Park Cemetery]] | | resting_place = [[Eden Memorial Park Cemetery]], Los Angeles | ||
| birth_name = Julius Henry Marx | | birth_name = Julius Henry Marx | ||
| medium = {{cslist|Film|television|stage|radio|music}} | | medium = {{cslist|Film|television|stage|radio|music}} | ||
| active = | | active = 1905–1977 | ||
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|game show host}} | |||
| genre = {{cslist|[[Wit]]|[[wordplay]]|[[slapstick]]}} | | genre = {{cslist|[[Wit]]|[[wordplay]]|[[slapstick]]}} | ||
| | | father = [[Sam Marx|Sam "Frenchie" Marx]] | ||
| relatives = {{ubl|[[Chico Marx]] (older brother)| [[Harpo Marx]] (older brother)|[[Gummo Marx]] (younger brother)|[[Zeppo Marx]] (younger brother)|[[Al Shean]] (maternal uncle)}} | | mother = [[Minnie Marx|Minnie Schönberg]] | ||
| relatives = {{ubl|[[Chico Marx]] (older brother)| [[Harpo Marx]] (older brother)|[[Gummo Marx]] (younger brother)|[[Zeppo Marx]] (younger brother)|[[Al Shean]] (maternal uncle)|[[Bill Marx (pianist)|Bill Marx]] (nephew)}} | |||
| spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Ruth Johnson|1920|1942|end=div}}|{{marriage|Kay Marvis Gorcey|1945|1951|end=div}}|{{marriage|[[Eden Hartford]]|1954|1969|end=div}}}} | | spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Ruth Johnson|1920|1942|end=div}}|{{marriage|Kay Marvis Gorcey|1945|1951|end=div}}|{{marriage|[[Eden Hartford]]|1954|1969|end=div}}}} | ||
| children = {{cslist|[[Arthur Marx|Arthur]]|[[Miriam Marx|Miriam]]|[[Melinda Marx|Melinda]]}}}} | | children = {{cslist|[[Arthur Marx|Arthur]]|[[Miriam Marx|Miriam]]|[[Melinda Marx|Melinda]]}}}} | ||
'''Julius Henry''' "'''Groucho'''" '''Marx''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|g|r|aʊ|tʃ|oʊ}}; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, | '''Julius Henry''' "'''Groucho'''" '''Marx''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|g|r|aʊ|tʃ|oʊ}}; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, comic vocalist and game show host who performed in [[vaudeville]], [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], films, radio, and television.<ref name=obit/> A master of the one-line retort, he is considered one of America's greatest comedians.<ref>''Billboard Magazine'' May 4, 1974, p. 35: "Groucho Marx was the best comedian this country ever produced – Woody Allen"</ref> | ||
Groucho was the third born of the [[Marx Brothers]], with whom he appeared in three Broadway shows and thirteen feature films, usually portraying a fast-talking, slightly shady protagonist and frequent foil to the antics of his brothers [[Chico Marx|Chico]] and [[Harpo Marx|Harpo]]. He also had a successful solo career, primarily on radio and television, most notably as the host of the quiz/interview show ''[[You Bet Your Life]]''.<ref name=obit/> | |||
His distinctive appearance, carried over from his days in vaudeville, included quirks such as an exaggerated stooped posture, spectacles, cigar, and a thick [[Foundation (cosmetics)|greasepaint]] | His distinctive appearance, carried over from his days in vaudeville, included quirks such as an exaggerated stooped posture, spectacles, cigar, and a thick [[Foundation (cosmetics)|greasepaint]] moustache (later a real moustache) and eyebrows. | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Groucho was born Julius Henry Marx on October 2, 1890, in [[Manhattan]], New York City.<ref>The WWI draft registration of 1917 as Julius Henry Marx in Chicago, Illinois uses October 2, 1890. The 1900 census has him born in October 1890.</ref> Marx stated that he was born in a room above a butcher's shop on East 78th Street, "Between [[Lexington Avenue|Lexington]] and [[Third Avenue|Third]]", as he told [[Dick Cavett]] in a 1969 television interview.<ref name="Cavett19690613"/> Later in life, in discussing the Brothers' names during his [[Carnegie Hall]] concert, Groucho said that he was named after his unemployed uncle Julius, who lived with his family. | Groucho was born Julius Henry Marx on October 2, 1890, in [[Manhattan]], New York City.<ref>The WWI draft registration of 1917 as Julius Henry Marx in Chicago, Illinois uses October 2, 1890. The 1900 census has him born in October 1890.</ref> Marx stated that he was born in a room above a butcher's shop on East 78th Street, "Between [[Lexington Avenue|Lexington]] and [[Third Avenue|Third]]", as he told [[Dick Cavett]] in a 1969 television interview.<ref name="Cavett19690613"/> Later in life, in discussing the Brothers' names during his [[Carnegie Hall]] concert, Groucho said that he was named after his unemployed uncle Julius, who lived with his family. Groucho's mother suspected that uncle Julius was rich with a hidden fortune salted away and Groucho believed that he was named after his uncle so he would be remembered in his will. "His will consisted of a [[Dickey (garment)|celluloid dicky]], an [[8 ball]] and three razor blades. And besides, he owed my father $85, which he never did get from him."<ref name="Groucho Live At Carnegie Hall">Groucho Live at Carnegie Hall</ref> | ||
The Marx children grew up in a turn-of-the-century building at 179 East 93rd Street off Lexington Avenue in a neighborhood now known as [[Carnegie Hill]] on the [[Upper East Side]] of the borough of Manhattan. His older brother [[Harpo Marx|Harpo]], in his memoir ''Harpo Speaks'', called the building "the first real home I knew".<ref>{{cite book |title=Harpo Speaks |first1=Harpo |last1=Marx |author-link1=Harpo Marx |others=With Barber Rowland |publisher=[[Limelight Editions]] |location=New York |orig-year=1961 |year=1985 |edition=1985 with new [[Afterword]]s |page=19 |isbn=0-87910-036-2|url=https://archive.org/details/harpospeaks00marx/page/18/mode/2up?q=real+home}}</ref> It was populated with European immigrants, mostly artisans. Just across the street were the oldest [[brownstone]]s in the area, owned by people including the well-connected Loew Brothers and William Orth. The Marx family lived there "for about 14 years", Groucho also told Cavett. | The Marx children grew up in a turn-of-the-century building at 179 East 93rd Street off Lexington Avenue in a neighborhood now known as [[Carnegie Hill]] on the [[Upper East Side]] of the borough of Manhattan. His older brother [[Harpo Marx|Harpo]], in his memoir ''Harpo Speaks'', called the building "the first real home I knew".<ref>{{cite book |title=Harpo Speaks |first1=Harpo |last1=Marx |author-link1=Harpo Marx |others=With Barber Rowland |publisher=[[Limelight Editions]] |location=New York |orig-year=1961 |year=1985 |edition=1985 with new [[Afterword]]s |page=19 |isbn=0-87910-036-2|url=https://archive.org/details/harpospeaks00marx/page/18/mode/2up?q=real+home}}</ref> It was populated with European immigrants, mostly artisans. Just across the street were the oldest [[brownstone]]s in the area, owned by people including the well-connected Loew Brothers and William Orth. The Marx family lived there "for about 14 years", Groucho also told Cavett. | ||
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Supposedly, after a particularly dispiriting performance in [[Nacogdoches, Texas]], Julius, Milton, and Arthur began cracking jokes onstage for their own amusement. Much to their surprise, the audience liked them better as comedians than as singers. They modified the then-popular [[Gus Edwards (vaudeville)|Gus Edwards]] comedy skit "School Days" and renamed it "Fun In Hi Skule". The Marx Brothers performed variations on this routine for the next seven years.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} | Supposedly, after a particularly dispiriting performance in [[Nacogdoches, Texas]], Julius, Milton, and Arthur began cracking jokes onstage for their own amusement. Much to their surprise, the audience liked them better as comedians than as singers. They modified the then-popular [[Gus Edwards (vaudeville)|Gus Edwards]] comedy skit "School Days" and renamed it "Fun In Hi Skule". The Marx Brothers performed variations on this routine for the next seven years.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} | ||
For a time, all the brothers performed using ethnic accents, a common | For a time, all the brothers performed using ethnic accents, a common shtick in vaudeville. Leonard, the oldest, developed the Italian accent he used for his entire career, to convince some roving bullies that he was Italian, not Jewish. Arthur, the next oldest, donned a curly red wig and became "Patsy Brannigan", a stereotypical Irish character. His discomfort when speaking on stage led to his uncle Al Shean's suggestion that he stop speaking altogether and play the role in mime. Julius's character from "Fun In Hi Skule" was an ethnic German, so Julius played him with a typical Teutonic accent. After the sinking of the {{RMS|Lusitania}} in 1915, public [[anti-German sentiment]] was widespread, and Julius's German character was booed, so he dropped the accent and developed the fast-talking wise-guy character that became his trademark.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} | ||
The Marx Brothers became the biggest comedic stars of the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]] in New York, which billed itself as the "Valhalla of Vaudeville". Brother Chico's deal-making skills resulted in three hit plays on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. No other comedy routine had ever so infected the Broadway circuit. All of this stage work predated their Hollywood career. By the time the | The Marx Brothers became the biggest comedic stars of the [[Palace Theatre (New York City)|Palace Theatre]] in New York, which billed itself as the "Valhalla of Vaudeville". Brother Chico's deal-making skills resulted in three hit plays on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. No other comedy routine had ever so infected the Broadway circuit. All of this stage work predated their Hollywood career. By the time the brothers made their first movie, they were already major stars with sharply honed skills; and by 1949 when Groucho was relaunched to stardom in television on ''[[You Bet Your Life]]'', he had been performing successfully for half a century.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} | ||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
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=== Motion pictures === | === Motion pictures === | ||
[[File:Marx Brothers 1931.jpg|upright|thumb|The Marx Brothers in 1931 (from top, Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo)]] | [[File:Marx Brothers 1931.jpg|upright|thumb|The Marx Brothers in 1931 (from top, Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo)]] | ||
Marx made 26 movies, including 13 with his brothers Chico and Harpo.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.groucho-marx.com/bio.html|title=Groucho Marx Biography|access-date=June 25, 2008|website=Groucho-marx.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119074319/http://internetserviceteam.com/|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Marx developed a routine as a wisecracking hustler with a distinctive chicken-walking lope, an exaggerated greasepaint | Marx made 26 movies, including 13 with his brothers Chico and Harpo.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.groucho-marx.com/bio.html|title=Groucho Marx Biography|access-date=June 25, 2008|website=Groucho-marx.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119074319/http://internetserviceteam.com/|archive-date=January 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Marx developed a routine as a wisecracking hustler with a distinctive chicken-walking lope, an exaggerated greasepaint moustache and eyebrows and an ever-present cigar, improvising insults to stuffy [[dowager]]s (frequently played by [[Margaret Dumont]]) and anyone else who stood in his way. As the Marx Brothers, he and his brothers starred in a series of popular stage shows and movies. | ||
Their first movie was a silent film made in 1921 that was only shown once, in the Bronx,<ref name="bio"/> and is believed to have been destroyed shortly afterward. A decade later, the team made their last two Broadway shows—''[[The Cocoanuts]]'' and ''[[Animal Crackers (1930 film)|Animal Crackers]]''<ref name="bio"/>—into movies. Other successful films were ''[[Monkey Business (1931 film)|Monkey Business]]'', ''[[Horse Feathers]]'', ''[[Duck Soup (1933 film)|Duck Soup]]'' and ''[[A Night at the Opera (film)|A Night at the Opera]]''.<ref name="bio"/> One quip from Marx concerned his response to [[Sam Wood]], the director of ''A Night at the Opera''. Furious with the Marx Brothers' ad-libs and antics on the set, Wood yelled in disgust: "You can't make an actor out of clay." Marx responded, "Nor a director out of Wood."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Boller|first1=Paul F.|last2=Davis|first2=Ronald L.|title=Hollywood Anecdotes|edition=reprint|year=1988|publisher=Ballantine Books|isbn=0-345-35654-3|page=220}}</ref> | Their first movie was a silent film made in 1921 that was only shown once, in the Bronx,<ref name="bio"/> and is believed to have been destroyed shortly afterward. A decade later, the team made their last two Broadway shows—''[[The Cocoanuts]]'' and ''[[Animal Crackers (1930 film)|Animal Crackers]]''<ref name="bio"/>—into movies. Other successful films were ''[[Monkey Business (1931 film)|Monkey Business]]'', ''[[Horse Feathers]]'', ''[[Duck Soup (1933 film)|Duck Soup]]'' and ''[[A Night at the Opera (film)|A Night at the Opera]]''.<ref name="bio"/> One quip from Marx concerned his response to [[Sam Wood]], the director of ''A Night at the Opera''. Furious with the Marx Brothers' ad-libs and antics on the set, Wood yelled in disgust: "You can't make an actor out of clay." Marx responded, "Nor a director out of Wood."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Boller|first1=Paul F.|last2=Davis|first2=Ronald L.|title=Hollywood Anecdotes|edition=reprint|year=1988|publisher=Ballantine Books|isbn=0-345-35654-3|page=220}}</ref> | ||
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=== Mustache, eyebrows, and walk === | === Mustache, eyebrows, and walk === | ||
{{See also|Groucho glasses}} | {{See also|Groucho glasses}}[[File:Groucho Marx-Eve Arden in At the Circus trailer.jpg|left|thumb|Groucho and [[Eve Arden]] in a scene from ''[[At the Circus]]'' (1939)]] | ||
[[File:Groucho Marx-Eve Arden in At the Circus trailer.jpg|left|thumb|Groucho and [[Eve Arden]] in a scene from ''[[At the Circus]]'' (1939)]] | |||
The greasepaint mustache and eyebrows originated spontaneously prior to a vaudeville performance in the early 1920s when he did not have time to apply the pasted-on mustache he had been using (or, according to his autobiography, simply did not enjoy the removal of the mustache because of the effects of tearing an adhesive bandage off the same patch of skin every night). After applying the greasepaint mustache, a quick glance in the mirror revealed his natural hair eyebrows were too undertoned and did not match the rest of his face, so Marx added the greasepaint to his eyebrows and headed for the stage. The absurdity of the greasepaint was never discussed on-screen, but in a famous scene in ''[[Duck Soup (1933 film)|Duck Soup]],'' where both Chicolini (Chico) and Pinky (Harpo) disguise themselves as Groucho, they are briefly seen applying the greasepaint, implicitly answering any question a viewer might have had about where he got his mustache and eyebrows. | The greasepaint mustache and eyebrows originated spontaneously prior to a vaudeville performance in the early 1920s when he did not have time to apply the pasted-on mustache he had been using (or, according to his autobiography, simply did not enjoy the removal of the mustache because of the effects of tearing an adhesive bandage off the same patch of skin every night). After applying the greasepaint mustache, a quick glance in the mirror revealed his natural hair eyebrows were too undertoned and did not match the rest of his face, so Marx added the greasepaint to his eyebrows and headed for the stage. The absurdity of the greasepaint was never discussed on-screen, but in a famous scene in ''[[Duck Soup (1933 film)|Duck Soup]],'' where both Chicolini (Chico) and Pinky (Harpo) disguise themselves as Groucho, they are briefly seen applying the greasepaint, implicitly answering any question a viewer might have had about where he got his mustache and eyebrows. | ||
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== Personal life == | == Personal life == | ||
[[File:Marx Brothers 1948.jpg|left|thumb|The Marx Brothers (clockwise from bottom: Groucho, [[Chico Marx|Chico]], and [[Harpo Marx|Harpo]]) by [[Yusuf Karsh]], 1946]] | [[File:Marx Brothers 1948.jpg|left|thumb|The Marx Brothers (clockwise from bottom: Groucho, [[Chico Marx|Chico]], and [[Harpo Marx|Harpo]]) by [[Yusuf Karsh]], 1946]] | ||
Marx's three marriages ended in divorce. His first wife was [[chorus girl]] Ruth Johnson (m. 1920–1942). He was 29 and she was 19 at the time of their wedding. The couple had two children, [[Arthur Marx]] and [[Miriam Marx]]. His second wife was Kay Marvis (m. 1945–1951), née Catherine Dittig,<ref>[https://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_060339/89 ''Boxoffice'', 3 June 1939, p. 89]{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.</ref> former wife of [[Leo Gorcey]]. Marx was 54 and Kay was 21 at the time of their marriage. They had a daughter, [[Melinda Marx]] | Marx's three marriages ended in divorce. His first wife was [[chorus girl]] Ruth Johnson (m. 1920–1942). He was 29 and she was 19 at the time of their wedding. The couple had two children, [[Arthur Marx]] and [[Miriam Marx]]. His second wife was Kay Marvis (m. 1945–1951), née Catherine Dittig,<ref>[https://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_060339/89 ''Boxoffice'', 3 June 1939, p. 89]{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}.</ref> former wife of [[Leo Gorcey]]. Marx was 54 and Kay was 21 at the time of their marriage. They had a daughter, [[Melinda Marx]]. His third wife was actress [[Eden Hartford]] (m. 1954–1969). He was 63 and she was 24 at the time of their wedding. | ||
During the early 1950s, Marx described his perfect woman: "Someone who looks like [[Marilyn Monroe]] and talks like [[George S. Kaufman]]."<ref>{{cite book |first=Arthur |last=Marx |author-link=Arthur Marx |title=Life With Groucho |url=https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |year=1954 |location=New York |lccn=54-9802 |page =[https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx/page/294 294] |via=[[Internet Archive#Text collection|Internet Archive text collection]] |url-access=limited}}</ref> | During the early 1950s, Marx described his perfect woman: "Someone who looks like [[Marilyn Monroe]] and talks like [[George S. Kaufman]]."<ref>{{cite book |first=Arthur |last=Marx |author-link=Arthur Marx |title=Life With Groucho |url=https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |year=1954 |location=New York |lccn=54-9802 |page =[https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx/page/294 294] |via=[[Internet Archive#Text collection|Internet Archive text collection]] |url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
Marx was denied membership in an informal [[symphonietta]] of friends (including Harpo) organized by [[Ben Hecht]], because he could play only the mandolin. When the group began its first rehearsal at Hecht's home, Marx rushed in and demanded silence from the "lousy amateurs". The musicians discovered him conducting the [[Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra]] in a performance of the overture to ''[[Tannhäuser (opera)|Tannhäuser]]'' in Hecht's living room | Marx was denied membership in an informal [[symphonietta]] of friends (including Harpo) organized by [[Ben Hecht]], because he could play only the mandolin. When the group began its first rehearsal at Hecht's home, Marx rushed in and demanded silence from the "lousy amateurs". The musicians later discovered him conducting the [[Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra]] in a performance of the overture to ''[[Tannhäuser (opera)|Tannhäuser]]'' in Hecht's living room, and Marx was allowed to join the symphonietta.<ref name="friedrich1997">{{cite book | title=City of Nets: A Portrait of Hollywood in the 1940s | publisher=University of California Press | author=Friedrich, Otto | year=1997|edition=reprint | chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0x8AFchW4JsC&pg=PP1 | location=Berkeley and Los Angeles | page=43 | isbn=0520209494 | chapter = Ingatherings (1940)}}</ref> | ||
Later in life, Marx would sometimes note to talk show hosts, not entirely jokingly, that he was unable to actually insult anyone, because the target of his comment would assume that it was a Groucho-esque joke, and would laugh.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} | Later in life, Marx would sometimes note to talk show hosts, not entirely jokingly, that he was unable to actually insult anyone, because the target of his comment would assume that it was a Groucho-esque joke, and would laugh.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} | ||
[[File:Groucho and Melinda Marx 1953.JPG|thumb|upright|On the set of ''You Bet Your Life'' with daughter [[Melinda Marx|Melinda]], 1953]] | [[File:Groucho and Melinda Marx 1953.JPG|thumb|upright|On the set of ''You Bet Your Life'' with daughter [[Melinda Marx|Melinda]], 1953]] | ||
Despite his | Marx once said he would prefer to be remembered as a writer. Despite his little formal education, he authored several books, including his autobiography, ''Groucho and Me'', (1959) and ''Memoirs of a Mangy Lover'' (1963). He also co-authored the screenplay for the 1937 film ''[[The King and the Chorus Girl]]'', in which he did not appear as an actor; this is Marx's only official writing credit for film or television. | ||
Marx was acquainted with several prominent literary figures including [[Booth Tarkington]], [[T. S. Eliot]], and [[Carl Sandburg]]. Much of his personal correspondence with those and other figures is featured in the book ''The Groucho Letters'' (1967) with an introduction and commentary on the letters written by Marx, who donated his letters to the [[Library of Congress]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/search?searchCode=LCCN&searchArg=mm%2082047845&searchType=1&permalink=y |title=Groucho Marx papers, 1930-1967 |work=[[Library of Congress]] Online Catalog|access-date=June 18, 2017}}</ref> His daughter Miriam published a collection of his letters to her in 1992 titled ''Love, Groucho.'' | |||
In ''Life with Groucho: A Son's Eye View'', [[Arthur Marx]] relates that in his latter years, Groucho increasingly referred to himself by the name Hackenbush, referring to the character of that name he played in [[A Day at the Races (film)|''A Day at the Races'']].<ref>{{cite book |first=Arthur |last=Marx |author-link=Arthur Marx |title=Life With Groucho |url=https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |year=1954 |location=New York |lccn=54-9802 |page =[https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx/page/200/mode/2up?q=Hackenbush 200] |via=[[Internet Archive#Text collection|Internet Archive text collection]] |url-access=limited}}</ref> | In ''Life with Groucho: A Son's Eye View'', [[Arthur Marx]] relates that in his latter years, Groucho increasingly referred to himself by the name Hackenbush, referring to the character of that name he played in [[A Day at the Races (film)|''A Day at the Races'']].<ref>{{cite book |first=Arthur |last=Marx |author-link=Arthur Marx |title=Life With Groucho |url=https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |year=1954 |location=New York |lccn=54-9802 |page =[https://archive.org/details/lifewithgroucho00marx/page/200/mode/2up?q=Hackenbush 200] |via=[[Internet Archive#Text collection|Internet Archive text collection]] |url-access=limited}}</ref> | ||
Marx made serious efforts to learn to play the guitar. In the 1932 film ''[[Horse Feathers]]'', he performs the film's love theme "Everyone Says I Love You" for costar [[Thelma Todd]] on a [[Gibson L-5]].<ref>Jerry McCulley, [http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Surprisingly-Serious-Tale.aspx The Surprisingly Serious Tale of Comedian Groucho Marx and His Lifelong Quest to Master Guitar.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529072326/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Surprisingly-Serious-Tale.aspx |date=May 29, 2013 }}</ref> | Marx made serious efforts to learn to play the guitar. In the 1932 film ''[[Horse Feathers]]'', he performs the film's love theme "Everyone Says I Love You" for costar [[Thelma Todd]] on a [[Gibson L-5]].<ref>Jerry McCulley, [http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Surprisingly-Serious-Tale.aspx The Surprisingly Serious Tale of Comedian Groucho Marx and His Lifelong Quest to Master Guitar.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529072326/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/The-Surprisingly-Serious-Tale.aspx |date=May 29, 2013}}</ref> | ||
In July 1937, | In July 1937, a United States-vs.-England pro-celebrity tennis doubles match was organized, featuring Marx and [[Ellsworth Vines]] playing against [[Charlie Chaplin]] and [[Fred Perry]], to open the new clubhouse at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club. Marx appeared on court with twelve rackets and a suitcase, leaving Chaplin—who took tennis seriously—bemused, before he asked what was in it. Marx asked Chaplin what was in his, with Chaplin responding he didn't have one. Marx replied, "What kind of tennis player are you?" After playing only a few games, Marx sat on the court and unpacked an elaborate picnic lunch from his suitcase.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leigh |first=Danny |date=January 2, 2015 |title=The Marx brothers on film: souped-up comedy |url=https://www.ft.com/content/79d9cd22-89f7-11e4-8daa-00144feabdc0 |access-date=March 21, 2019 |work=Financial Times}}</ref> | ||
[[Irving Berlin]] quipped: "The world would not be in such a snarl had Marx been Groucho instead of Karl."<ref>Irving Berlin, Robert Kimball, Linda Emmet. ''The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin'', p. 489. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2005. {{ISBN|1-55783-681-7}}</ref> In his book ''The Groucho Phile'', Marx says "I've been a liberal Democrat all my life", and "I frankly find Democrats a better, more sympathetic crowd... I'll continue to believe that Democrats have a greater regard for the common man than Republicans do".<ref>Marx, Groucho. ''The Groucho Phile'', p. 238. Wallaby, 1977.</ref> However, during an episode of ''[[Firing Line (TV series)|Firing Line]]'' on July 7, 1967, Marx admitted to voting for [[Wendell Willkie]], the Republican candidate for president in 1940, over [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], stating that he did not believe that any man should run for more than two terms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXlIZBZpkoA&t=660s|title = Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr.: Is the World Funny?|website = YouTube| date=January 25, 2017 }}</ref> | [[Irving Berlin]] quipped: "The world would not be in such a snarl had Marx been Groucho instead of Karl."<ref>Irving Berlin, Robert Kimball, Linda Emmet. ''The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin'', p. 489. Hal Leonard Corporation, 2005. {{ISBN|1-55783-681-7}}</ref> In his book ''The Groucho Phile'', Marx says "I've been a liberal Democrat all my life", and "I frankly find Democrats a better, more sympathetic crowd... I'll continue to believe that Democrats have a greater regard for the common man than Republicans do".<ref>Marx, Groucho. ''The Groucho Phile'', p. 238. Wallaby, 1977.</ref> However, during an episode of ''[[Firing Line (TV series)|Firing Line]]'' on July 7, 1967, Marx admitted to voting for [[Wendell Willkie]], the Republican candidate for president in 1940, over [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], stating that he did not believe that any man should run for more than two terms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXlIZBZpkoA&t=660s|title = Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr.: Is the World Funny?|website = YouTube| date=January 25, 2017}}</ref> | ||
== Later years == | == Later years == | ||
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[[File:You bet your life postcard 1953.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Marx as main host of ''You Bet Your Life'', 1953]] | [[File:You bet your life postcard 1953.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Marx as main host of ''You Bet Your Life'', 1953]] | ||
''[[You Bet Your Life]]'' debuted in October 1947 on ABC radio (which aired it from 1947 to 1949), sponsored by costume jewelry manufacturer [[Allen Gellman]];<ref>Charlotte Chandler. Hello, I must be going: Groucho and his friends. Doubleday, 1978, p 190</ref> and then on CBS (1949–50), and finally NBC. The show was on radio only from 1947 to 1950; on both radio and television from 1950 to 1960; and on television only, from 1960 to 1961. The show proved a huge hit, being one of the most popular on television by the mid-1950s, garnering a number one rating in 1953. With [[George Fenneman]] as his announcer and straight man, Marx entertained his audiences with rapier wit and improvised conversation with his guests. Since ''You Bet Your Life'' was mostly ad-libbed and unscripted—although writers did pre-interview the guests and feed Marx ready-made lines in advance—the producers insisted that the network prerecord it instead of it being broadcast live. There were three reasons for this: prerecording provided Marx with time to fish around for funny exchanges, any intervening dead spots could be edited out; and most importantly to protect the network from what was considered risqué, since Marx was notorious for saying almost anything. The television show ran for 11 seasons until it was canceled in 1961. Ironically longtime major sponsor, automobile ''marque'' [[DeSoto (automobile)|DeSoto]] went out of business for declining sales that same year. For the DeSoto ads, Marx would sometimes say: "Tell 'em Groucho sent you", or "Try a DeSoto before you decide." Repeats of the program were syndicated and broadcast during the mid 1960s and again, in the mid 1970s, under the title ''The Best of Groucho''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kleiner |first=Dick |title=Groucho's straight man back|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/116069539/|newspaper=The Anniston Star |location= Anniston, Alabama |date=August 23, 1975|access-date=September 1, 2021}}</ref> | ''[[You Bet Your Life]]'' debuted in October 1947 on ABC radio (which aired it from 1947 to 1949), sponsored by costume jewelry manufacturer [[Allen Gellman]];<ref>Charlotte Chandler. Hello, I must be going: Groucho and his friends. Doubleday, 1978, p 190</ref> and then on CBS (1949–50), and finally NBC. The show was on radio only from 1947 to 1950; on both radio and television from 1950 to 1960; and on television only, from 1960 to 1961. The show proved a huge hit, being one of the most popular on television by the mid-1950s, garnering a number one rating in 1953. With [[George Fenneman]] as his announcer and straight man, Marx entertained his audiences with rapier wit and improvised conversation with his guests. Since ''You Bet Your Life'' was mostly ad-libbed and unscripted—although writers did pre-interview the guests and feed Marx ready-made lines in advance—the producers insisted that the network prerecord it instead of it being broadcast live. There were three reasons for this: prerecording provided Marx with time to fish around for funny exchanges, any intervening dead spots could be edited out; and most importantly to protect the network from what was considered risqué, since Marx was notorious for saying almost anything. The television show ran for 11 seasons until it was canceled in 1961. Ironically longtime major sponsor, automobile ''marque'' [[DeSoto (automobile)|DeSoto]] went out of business for declining sales that same year. For the DeSoto ads, Marx would sometimes say: "Tell 'em Groucho sent you", or "Try a DeSoto before you decide." Repeats of the program were syndicated and broadcast during the mid-1960s and again, in the mid-1970s, under the title ''The Best of Groucho''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kleiner |first=Dick |title=Groucho's straight man back|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/116069539/|newspaper=The Anniston Star |location= Anniston, Alabama |date=August 23, 1975|access-date=September 1, 2021}}</ref> | ||
The program's theme music was an instrumental version of "[[Hooray for Captain Spaulding]]", which became increasingly identified as Marx's personal theme song. A recording of the song with Marx and the Ken Lane singers with an orchestra directed by [[Victor Young]] was released in 1952. Another recording made by Marx during this period was "The Funniest Song in the World", released on the Young People's Records label in 1949. It was a series of five original children's songs with a connecting narrative about a monkey and his fellow zoo creatures. | The program's theme music was an instrumental version of "[[Hooray for Captain Spaulding]]", which became increasingly identified as Marx's personal theme song. A recording of the song with Marx and the Ken Lane singers with an orchestra directed by [[Victor Young]] was released in 1952. Another recording made by Marx during this period was "The Funniest Song in the World", released on the Young People's Records label in 1949. It was a series of five original children's songs with a connecting narrative about a monkey and his fellow zoo creatures. | ||
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=== Other work === | === Other work === | ||
On August 5, 1948, Marx's comedy play ''April Fool'' premiered at the [[Lobero Theatre]] in Santa Barbara, California, to mediocre reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Los Angeles Times 07 Aug 1948, page 8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/380889678/ |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=Newspapers.com | On August 5, 1948, Marx's comedy play ''April Fool'' premiered at the [[Lobero Theatre]] in Santa Barbara, California, to mediocre reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Los Angeles Times 07 Aug 1948, page 8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/380889678/ |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Penned by Groucho Marx and Norman Krasna, the play was rewritten and retitled ''Time for Elizabeth'', and opened at the Fulton Theatre in New York City on September 27, 1948,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Daily News 28 Sep 1948, page 280 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/446231814/ |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> where it closed after only eight performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Groucho Marx "April Fool" Otto Kruger / Norman Krasna 1948 Flop Tryout Playbill {{!}} #1860471580 |url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/groucho-marx-april-fool-otto-kruger-1860471580 |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=Worthpoint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Daily News 01 Oct 1948, page 1013 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/445883334/ |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> | ||
By the time ''You Bet Your Life'' debuted on TV on October 5, 1950, Marx had grown a real mustache (which he had already sported earlier in the films ''[[Copacabana (1947 film)|Copacabana]]'' and ''[[Love Happy]]''). | By the time ''You Bet Your Life'' debuted on TV on October 5, 1950, Marx had grown a real mustache (which he had already sported earlier in the films ''[[Copacabana (1947 film)|Copacabana]]'' and ''[[Love Happy]]''). | ||
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[[File:Groucho Marx Brooke Hayward General Electric Theater 1961.jpg|left|thumb|Marx and [[Brooke Hayward]], 1961]] | [[File:Groucho Marx Brooke Hayward General Electric Theater 1961.jpg|left|thumb|Marx and [[Brooke Hayward]], 1961]] | ||
Marx's previous work regained popularity; new books of transcribed conversations were published by Richard J. Anobile and [[Charlotte Chandler]]. In a [[BBC]] interview in 1975, Marx called his | Marx's previous work regained popularity; new books of transcribed conversations were published by Richard J. Anobile and [[Charlotte Chandler]]. In a [[BBC]] interview in 1975, Marx called his most significant achievement having a book selected for cultural preservation in the Library of Congress. In a Cavett interview in 1971,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dickcavettshow.com/index.php/component/zoo/item/5-25-71|title=The Dick Cavett Show – 5/25/1971|website=Dickcavettshow.com|access-date=September 21, 2018|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921191431/http://dickcavettshow.com/index.php/component/zoo/item/5-25-71|url-status=dead}}</ref> Marx said being published in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' under his own name,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/groucho-marx|title=Groucho Marx - Contributors|work=newyorker.com|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> Julius Henry Marx, meant more than all the plays he appeared in.<ref name="Cavett19690613"/> For a man who had little formal education, to have his writings declared culturally important was a point of great satisfaction. | ||
As he passed his 81st birthday in October 1971, Marx became increasingly frail, physically and mentally, as a result of a succession of minor [[Cerebrovascular Accident|strokes]] and other health issues.<ref name="pov1">{{cite web |url=http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL238.htm |title=Point of View |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021181758/http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL238.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2006 |author=Mark Evanier |date=June 4, 1999 |access-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref><ref name="pov2">{{cite web |url=http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL239.htm |title=Point of View |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717220054/http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL239.htm |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |author=Mark Evanier |date=June 11, 1999 |access-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref> In 1972, largely at the behest of his companion [[Erin Fleming]], Marx appeared in a live one-man show at [[Carnegie Hall]] that was later released as a double album, ''[[An Evening with Groucho]]'', on [[A&M Records]]. He also made an appearance in 1973 on a short-lived variety show hosted by [[Bill Cosby]]. Fleming's influence on Marx was | As he passed his 81st birthday in October 1971, Marx became increasingly frail, physically and mentally, as a result of a succession of minor [[Cerebrovascular Accident|strokes]] and other health issues.<ref name="pov1">{{cite web |url=http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL238.htm |title=Point of View |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021181758/http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL238.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2006 |author=Mark Evanier |date=June 4, 1999 |access-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref><ref name="pov2">{{cite web |url=http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL239.htm |title=Point of View |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717220054/http://www.povonline.com/cols/COL239.htm |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |author=Mark Evanier |date=June 11, 1999 |access-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref> In 1972, largely at the behest of his companion [[Erin Fleming]], Marx appeared in a live one-man show at [[Carnegie Hall]] that was later released as a double album, ''[[An Evening with Groucho]]'', on [[A&M Records]]. He also made an appearance in 1973 on a short-lived variety show hosted by [[Bill Cosby]]. Fleming's influence on Marx was a matter of controversy. Some close to Marx believed that she played a significant role in reviving his popularity, and the relationship with a younger woman likely boosted his ego and vitality.<ref name="Opinionator" /> Others described her as a [[Svengali]], exploiting an increasingly frail Marx in pursuit of her own acting career. Marx's children, particularly his son Arthur, felt strongly that Fleming was pushing their ailing father beyond his physical and mental limits.<ref name="pov2" /> Writer [[Mark Evanier]] concurred.<ref name="pov3">[http://www.newsfromme.com/2004/03/07/erin/ Erin Fleming, R.I.P.], Mark Evanier, March 7, 2004.</ref> | ||
On April 2, 1974, at the [[46th Academy Awards|46th annual Academy Awards]], [[Jack Lemmon]] presented Marx with an honorary [[Academy Award|Oscar]] to a standing ovation. The award honored Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo as well: "in recognition of his brilliant creativity and for the unequalled achievements of the Marx Brothers in the art of motion picture comedy". Noticeably frail, Marx took a bow for his deceased brothers, saying that "I wish that Harpo and Chico could be here to share with me this great honor." (Zeppo, still alive, was in the audience). He also praised the late [[Margaret Dumont]] as a great straight woman who never understood any of his jokes.<ref name="Cavett19690613"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1YsAxiiH98 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/a1YsAxiiH98| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Groucho Marx receiving an Honorary Oscar® |website=Oscars.org |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=September 25, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Marx's final appearance was a brief sketch with [[George Burns]] in the [[Bob Hope]] television special ''Joys'' (a parody of the 1975 movie ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'') in March 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_T3H-DS1w& | On April 2, 1974, at the [[46th Academy Awards|46th annual Academy Awards]], [[Jack Lemmon]] presented Marx with an honorary [[Academy Award|Oscar]] to a standing ovation. The award honored Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo as well: "in recognition of his brilliant creativity and for the unequalled achievements of the Marx Brothers in the art of motion picture comedy". Noticeably frail, Marx took a bow for his deceased brothers, saying that "I wish that Harpo and Chico could be here to share with me this great honor." (Zeppo, still alive, was in the audience). He also praised the late [[Margaret Dumont]] as a great straight woman who never understood any of his jokes.<ref name="Cavett19690613"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1YsAxiiH98 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/a1YsAxiiH98| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Groucho Marx receiving an Honorary Oscar® |website=Oscars.org |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=September 25, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Marx's final appearance was a brief sketch with [[George Burns]] in the [[Bob Hope]] television special ''Joys'' (a parody of the 1975 movie ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'') in March 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_T3H-DS1w&%3Ft=18m19s|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210182051/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_T3H-DS1w&%3Ft=18m19s|archive-date=February 10, 2017|title=Bob Hope Special: Bob Hope in ''Joys''|publisher=Hope Enterprises|date=March 5, 1976|access-date=November 10, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> His health continued to decline the following year; when his younger brother [[Gummo Marx|Gummo]] died at age 83 on April 21, 1977, Marx was never told for fear of eliciting still further deterioration of his health.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gummo Marx, Managed Comedians |quote=[[Palm Springs, California]], April 21, 2007 ([[Reuters]]) Gummo Marks, an original member of the Marx brothers' comedy team, died here today. He was 84 years old. |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> | ||
Marx maintained his irrepressible sense of humor to the very end, however. George Fenneman, his radio and TV announcer, good-natured foil, and lifelong friend, often related a story of one of his final visits to Marx's home: When the time came to end the visit, Fenneman lifted Marx from his wheelchair, put his arms around his torso, and began to "walk" the frail comedian backwards across the room towards his bed. As he did, he heard a weak voice in his ear: "Fenneman," whispered Marx, "you always were a lousy dancer."<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=George Fenneman, Sidekick To Groucho Marx, Dies at 77 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/05/us/george-fenneman-sidekick-to-groucho-marx-dies-at-77.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=June 21, 2010 |date=June 5, 1997}}</ref> When a nurse approached him with a thermometer during his final hospitalization, explaining that she wanted to see if he had a temperature, he responded, "Don't be silly—everybody has a temperature."<ref name=Opinionator>"They Dressed like Groucho" [http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/20/they-dressed-like-groucho/ NY Times Opinionator (April 20, | Marx maintained his irrepressible sense of humor to the very end, however. George Fenneman, his radio and TV announcer, good-natured foil, and lifelong friend, often related a story of one of his final visits to Marx's home: When the time came to end the visit, Fenneman lifted Marx from his wheelchair, put his arms around his torso, and began to "walk" the frail comedian backwards across the room towards his bed. As he did, he heard a weak voice in his ear: "Fenneman," whispered Marx, "you always were a lousy dancer."<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=George Fenneman, Sidekick To Groucho Marx, Dies at 77 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/05/us/george-fenneman-sidekick-to-groucho-marx-dies-at-77.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=June 21, 2010 |date=June 5, 1997}}</ref> When a nurse approached him with a thermometer during his final hospitalization, explaining that she wanted to see if he had a temperature, he responded, "Don't be silly—everybody has a temperature."<ref name=Opinionator>"They Dressed like Groucho" [http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/20/they-dressed-like-groucho/ NY Times Opinionator (April 20, 2012)] Retrieved January 5, 2012.</ref> Actor [[Elliott Gould]] recalled a similar incident: "I recall the last time I saw Groucho, he was in the hospital, and he had tubes in his nose and what have you," he said. "And when he saw me, he was weak, but he was there; and he put his fingers on the tubes and played them like it was a clarinet. Groucho played the tubes for me, which brings me to tears."<ref>Famed Actor Elliott Gould Recalls Groucho Marx's Final Days (July 10, 2013). [http://www.compassionandchoices.org/2013/07/10/famed-actor-elliott-gould-recalls-groucho-marxs-final-days/ ''Compassion & Choices'' Magazine archive] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106051519/http://www.compassionandchoices.org/2013/07/10/famed-actor-elliott-gould-recalls-groucho-marxs-final-days/ |date=January 6, 2014}}. Retrieved January 5, 2014.</ref> | ||
== Death == | == Death == | ||
[[File:Groucho Marx Grave.JPG | [[File:Groucho Marx Grave.JPG|thumb|upright=.6|Niche at Eden Memorial Park]] | ||
On June 22, 1977, Marx was hospitalized at [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] with [[pneumonia]]. He died there nearly two months later<ref name=obit2>{{cite news | title=Groucho Marx Dies at 86 After Two-Month Illness | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X8xRAAAAIBAJ&dq=groucho%20marx%20dies%20%7C%20death%20%7C%20died%20g%3Aloclos_angeles&pg=3284%2C2109212 | quote=Officials at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where Marx had been hospitalized for the past two months with a respiratory ailment, said he died at 7:25 p.m. PDT of pneumonia | newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=August 20, 1977}}</ref> on August 19, at the age of 86, four months after Gummo's death.<ref name=obit>{{cite news|title=Groucho Marx, Comedian, Dead. Movie Star and TV Host Was 86. Master of the Insult. Groucho Marx, Film Comedian and Host of 'You Bet Your Life,' Dies|url=https:// | On June 22, 1977, Marx was hospitalized at [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] with [[pneumonia]]. He died there nearly two months later<ref name=obit2>{{cite news | title=Groucho Marx Dies at 86 After Two-Month Illness | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X8xRAAAAIBAJ&dq=groucho%20marx%20dies%20%7C%20death%20%7C%20died%20g%3Aloclos_angeles&pg=3284%2C2109212 | quote=Officials at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, where Marx had been hospitalized for the past two months with a respiratory ailment, said he died at 7:25 p.m. PDT of pneumonia | newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=August 20, 1977}}</ref> on August 19, at the age of 86, four months after Gummo's death.<ref name=obit>{{cite news|title=Groucho Marx, Comedian, Dead. Movie Star and TV Host Was 86. Master of the Insult. Groucho Marx, Film Comedian and Host of 'You Bet Your Life,' Dies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/20/archives/groucho-marx-comedian-dead-movie-star-and-tv-host-was-86-master-of.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 20, 1977|page=1}}</ref> News reports of Groucho's death and legacy were largely overshadowed by the extensive media coverage of the unexpected death of [[Elvis Presley]], three days earlier.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/2022/12/28/when-groucho-marx-met-dick-cavett-there-was-magic-in-the-air-and-on-your-television-sets/|title = When Groucho Marx met Dick Cavett, there was magic in the air and on your television sets|last = Kogan|first = Rick|date = December 28, 2022|accessdate = July 31, 2025|newspaper = [[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/WolfFiles/story?id=91366&page=1|title = Weird News: Groucho vs. Elvis, Who's More Important?|last = Wolf|first = Buck|authorlink = Buck Wolf|date = August 13, 2002|accessdate = July 31, 2025|work = [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|quote = In life, he graced the cover of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' twice — once in 1932 and again in 1951. Yet editors pushed his obituary (a few measly lines) to the back of the magazine, to make way for Elvis.}}</ref> | ||
Marx's body was cremated and | Marx's body was cremated and his ashes are entombed in the [[Eden Memorial Park Cemetery]] in Los Angeles. He was survived by his three children and younger brother [[Zeppo Marx|Zeppo]], who outlived him by two years. His gravestone bears no epitaph but in one of his last interviews he suggested one: "Excuse me, I can't stand up."<ref>Groucho the Great. [http://www.legacy.com/news/legends-and-legacies/groucho-the-great/1105/ legacy.com]. Retrieved April 20, 2015.</ref> | ||
Litigation over his estate lasted into the 1980s. Eventually, his three children were awarded the bulk of the estate, while [[Erin Fleming]], his companion during his final years, was ordered to repay $472,000.<ref>''Los Angeles Times'', April 15, 2011, Obituary of Arthur Marx, "In his father's declining years, Marx became a central figure behind a successful legal battle to wrest back control of Groucho's affairs from his late-in-life companion, Erin Fleming."</ref> | Litigation over his estate lasted into the 1980s. Eventually, his three children were awarded the bulk of the estate, while [[Erin Fleming]], his companion during his final years, was ordered to repay $472,000.<ref>''Los Angeles Times'', April 15, 2011, Obituary of Arthur Marx, "In his father's declining years, Marx became a central figure behind a successful legal battle to wrest back control of Groucho's affairs from his late-in-life companion, Erin Fleming."</ref> | ||
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[[Nat Perrin]], close friend of Groucho Marx and writer of several Marx Brothers films, inspired [[John Astin]]'s portrayal of [[Gomez Addams]] on the 1960s TV series ''[[The Addams Family]]'' with similarly thick mustache, eyebrows, sardonic remarks, backward logic, and ever-present cigar (pulled from his breast pocket already lit).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2015/July/feature.asp|title=The return of Gomez Addams|access-date=July 21, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924090227/http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2015/July/feature.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> | [[Nat Perrin]], close friend of Groucho Marx and writer of several Marx Brothers films, inspired [[John Astin]]'s portrayal of [[Gomez Addams]] on the 1960s TV series ''[[The Addams Family]]'' with similarly thick mustache, eyebrows, sardonic remarks, backward logic, and ever-present cigar (pulled from his breast pocket already lit).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2015/July/feature.asp|title=The return of Gomez Addams|access-date=July 21, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924090227/http://w3.unisa.edu.au/unisanews/2015/July/feature.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
''[[Minnie's Boys]]'', a 1970 Broadway musical, focused on the younger years of Marx (played by [[Lewis J. Stadlen]]), his brothers, and his mother (played by [[Shelley Winters]]). Marx received credit as the show's advisor and appeared on ''[[The Dick Cavett Show]]'' to promote the production.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minnie's Boys|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/minnies-boys-3517|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=Internet Broadway Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=J. R.|title=The Marx Brothers TV Collection follows the legendary comedy team into the 1950s, '60s, and '70s|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/09/22/the-marx-brothers-tv-collection-follows-the-legendary-comedy-team-into-the-1950s-60s-and-70s|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=Chicago Reader|date=September 22, 2014 | ''[[Minnie's Boys]]'', a 1970 Broadway musical, focused on the younger years of Marx (played by [[Lewis J. Stadlen]]), his brothers, and his mother (played by [[Shelley Winters]]). Marx received credit as the show's advisor and appeared on ''[[The Dick Cavett Show]]'' to promote the production.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minnie's Boys|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/minnies-boys-3517|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=Internet Broadway Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=J. R.|title=The Marx Brothers TV Collection follows the legendary comedy team into the 1950s, '60s, and '70s|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/09/22/the-marx-brothers-tv-collection-follows-the-legendary-comedy-team-into-the-1950s-60s-and-70s|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=Chicago Reader|date=September 22, 2014}}</ref> | ||
{{Quote box | {{Quote box | ||
| quote = As Groucho Marx once said, 'Anyone can get old—all you have to do is to live long enough'. | | quote = As Groucho Marx once said, 'Anyone can get old—all you have to do is to live long enough'. | ||
| source = | | source =Queen [[Elizabeth II]] speaking at her 80th birthday celebration in 2006.<ref>[http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2006/06/16/groucho-marks-queens-80th "Groucho marks Queen's 80th"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822145033/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2006/06/16/groucho-marks-queens-80th |date=August 22, 2017}}. SBS. Retrieved June 27, 2017.</ref> | ||
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Marx was also known to influence the [[Warner Bros. Cartoons|Warner Bros. cartoon]] character [[Bugs Bunny]], who recited his famous line "Of course you realize this means war!" in several cartoons including ''[[Long-Haired Hare]]'' and ''[[Bully for Bugs]]'', after his antagonist has offended him. | Marx was also known to influence the [[Warner Bros. Cartoons|Warner Bros. cartoon]] character [[Bugs Bunny]], who recited his famous line "Of course you realize this means war!" in several cartoons including ''[[Long-Haired Hare]]'' and ''[[Bully for Bugs]]'', after his antagonist has offended him. | ||
Two albums by British rock band [[Queen (band)|Queen]], ''[[A Night at the Opera (Queen album)|A Night at the Opera]]'' (1975) and ''[[A Day at the Races (album)|A Day at the Races]]'' (1976), are named after Marx Brothers films. In March 1977, Marx invited Queen to visit him in his Los Angeles home; there they performed "[['39 (Queen song)|'39]]" [[a cappella]].<ref>Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock. p.96. Voyageur Press, 2009</ref> | Two albums by British rock band [[Queen (band)|Queen]], ''[[A Night at the Opera (Queen album)|A Night at the Opera]]'' (1975) and ''[[A Day at the Races (album)|A Day at the Races]]'' (1976), are named after Marx Brothers films. In March 1977, Marx invited Queen to visit him in his Los Angeles home; there they performed "[['39 (Queen song)|'39]]" [[a cappella]].<ref>Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock. p.96. Voyageur Press, 2009.</ref> | ||
A long-running ad campaign for [[Vlasic Pickles]] features an animated stork that imitates Marx's mannerisms and voice.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/business/media/29adnewsletter1.html?pagewanted=print Stuart Elliott, ''Pink or Blue? These Bundles of Joy Are Always Green''], ''[[The New York Times]]'', May 30, 2007.</ref> On the famous [[Hollywood Sign]] in California, one of the "O"s is dedicated to Marx. [[Alice Cooper]] contributed over $27,000 to remodel the sign, in memory of his friend.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2017|title=A Sign is Reborn: 1978|url=https://hollywoodsign.org/announcement/1978-a-sign-is-reborn/|access-date=June 3, 2020|website=The Hollywood Sign | A long-running ad campaign for [[Vlasic Pickles]] features an animated stork that imitates Marx's mannerisms and voice.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/business/media/29adnewsletter1.html?pagewanted=print Stuart Elliott, ''Pink or Blue? These Bundles of Joy Are Always Green''], ''[[The New York Times]]'', May 30, 2007.</ref> On the famous [[Hollywood Sign]] in California, one of the "O"s is dedicated to Marx. [[Alice Cooper]] contributed over $27,000 to remodel the sign, in memory of his friend.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2017|title=A Sign is Reborn: 1978|url=https://hollywoodsign.org/announcement/1978-a-sign-is-reborn/|access-date=June 3, 2020|website=The Hollywood Sign}}</ref> | ||
Actor [[Frank Ferrante]] has performed as Groucho Marx on stage since 1986. He continues to tour under rights granted by the Marx family in a show entitled ''An Evening with Groucho'' in theaters throughout the United States and Canada with supporting actors and piano accompanist Jim Furmston. In the late 1980s, Ferrante starred as Marx in the off-Broadway and London show ''[[Groucho: A Life in Revue]]'', penned by Marx's son Arthur. Ferrante portrayed the comedian from age 15 to 85. The show was later filmed for PBS in 2001. In 1982, [[Gabe Kaplan]] filmed a version of the same show, entitled ''Groucho''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Erickson|first=Hal|title=Gabe Kaplan As Groucho|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/19088/Gabe-Kaplan-As-Groucho/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521050325/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/19088/Gabe-Kaplan-As-Groucho/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2013|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|author-link=Hal Erickson (author)|date=2013|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> | Actor [[Frank Ferrante]] has performed as Groucho Marx on stage since 1986. He continues to tour under rights granted by the Marx family in a show entitled ''An Evening with Groucho'' in theaters throughout the United States and Canada with supporting actors and piano accompanist Jim Furmston. In the late 1980s, Ferrante starred as Marx in the off-Broadway and London show ''[[Groucho: A Life in Revue]]'', penned by Marx's son Arthur. Ferrante portrayed the comedian from age 15 to 85. The show was later filmed for PBS in 2001. In 1982, [[Gabe Kaplan]] filmed a version of the same show, entitled ''Groucho''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Erickson|first=Hal|title=Gabe Kaplan As Groucho|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/19088/Gabe-Kaplan-As-Groucho/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521050325/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/19088/Gabe-Kaplan-As-Groucho/overview|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2013|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|author-link=Hal Erickson (author)|date=2013|access-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> | ||
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[[File:Mostra "Dylan Dog e motori, gioie e orrori" - panoramio (26).jpg|thumb|[[Dylan Dog]] and his sidekick Groucho (left). Art by Luca Maresca]] | [[File:Mostra "Dylan Dog e motori, gioie e orrori" - panoramio (26).jpg|thumb|[[Dylan Dog]] and his sidekick Groucho (left). Art by Luca Maresca]] | ||
In 2008, ''Minnie's Boys'' was remounted Off-Broadway with [[Erik Liberman]] as Groucho and [[Pamela Myers]] as Minnie Marx.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=May 16, 2008|title=Liberman Will Join Myers in Mufti Minnie's Boys|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/liberman-will-join-myers-in-mufti-minnies-boys-com-150192|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=Playbill | In 2008, ''Minnie's Boys'' was remounted Off-Broadway with [[Erik Liberman]] as Groucho and [[Pamela Myers]] as Minnie Marx.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=May 16, 2008|title=Liberman Will Join Myers in Mufti Minnie's Boys|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/liberman-will-join-myers-in-mufti-minnies-boys-com-150192|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=Playbill}}</ref> Liberman later played Marx in a musical based on ''[[Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel]]'' called ''The Most Ridiculous Thing You Ever Hoid'' (2010) and at the Obama White House.<ref>{{Cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Erik Liberman To Star As Groucho In ''In Most Ridiculous Thing You Ever Hoid'' 9/31|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/Erik-Liberman-To-Star-As-Groucho-In-IN-MOST-RIDICULOUS-THING-YOU-EVER-HOID-931-20100818|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=Broadway World}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Markowitz|first=Joel|date=April 2, 2012|title=Erik Liberman on Playing The Baker in Centerstage's 'Into the Woods' by Joel Markowitz|url=https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2012/04/02/erik-liberman-on-playing-the-baker-in-centerstages-into-the-woods-by-joel-markowitz/|access-date=October 21, 2020|website=DC Metro Theater Arts|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023074400/https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2012/04/02/erik-liberman-on-playing-the-baker-in-centerstages-into-the-woods-by-joel-markowitz/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
Lord Julius, the Grandlord of Palnu in the comic series ''[[Cerebus the Aardvark]]'', is clearly modeled on Groucho's appearance and personality, although without Groucho's iconic glasses. | Lord Julius, the Grandlord of Palnu in the comic series ''[[Cerebus the Aardvark]]'', is clearly modeled on Groucho's appearance and personality, although without Groucho's iconic glasses. | ||
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Throughout the [[M*A*S*H (TV series)|''M*A*S*H'' television series]], several Groucho homage traits are mirrored in [[Alan Alda]]'s portrayal of [[Hawkeye Pierce|Hawkeye]], including the 1972 season one episode "[[Yankee Doodle Doctor]]" that had a full Groucho impression complete with moustache, cigar and glasses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Episode Spotlight: Yankee Doodle Doctor |author=RJ |date=October 6, 2014 |website=mash4077tv.com |url=https://www.mash4077tv.com/2014/10/episode-spotlight-yankee-doodle-doctor/ |access-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210053539/https://www.mash4077tv.com/2014/10/episode-spotlight-yankee-doodle-doctor/ |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> | Throughout the [[M*A*S*H (TV series)|''M*A*S*H'' television series]], several Groucho homage traits are mirrored in [[Alan Alda]]'s portrayal of [[Hawkeye Pierce|Hawkeye]], including the 1972 season one episode "[[Yankee Doodle Doctor]]" that had a full Groucho impression complete with moustache, cigar and glasses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Episode Spotlight: Yankee Doodle Doctor |author=RJ |date=October 6, 2014 |website=mash4077tv.com |url=https://www.mash4077tv.com/2014/10/episode-spotlight-yankee-doodle-doctor/ |access-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210053539/https://www.mash4077tv.com/2014/10/episode-spotlight-yankee-doodle-doctor/ |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
In 2023, notable artist [[William Kentridge]] included a drawing of Marx in his solo museum exhibition at [[The Broad]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amadour |date=December 7, 2022 |title=15 Minutes With Visionary Artist William Kentridge |url=https://lamag.com/art/with-a-show-at-the-broad-artist-william-kentridge-talks-hollywood |access-date=December 31, 2023 |website=LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles | In 2023, notable artist [[William Kentridge]] included a drawing of Marx in his solo museum exhibition at [[The Broad]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amadour |date=December 7, 2022 |title=15 Minutes With Visionary Artist William Kentridge |url=https://lamag.com/art/with-a-show-at-the-broad-artist-william-kentridge-talks-hollywood |access-date=December 31, 2023 |website=LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles}}</ref> | ||
== Filmography == | == Filmography == | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|+ Films with the Marx Brothers | |+ Films with the Marx Brothers | ||
! scope="col" width=" | ! scope="col" width="200"| Title | ||
! scope="col" width="10" | Year | ! scope="col" width="10" | Year | ||
! scope="col" width=" | ! scope="col" width="180"| Role | ||
! scope="col" class="unsortable" width=" | ! scope="col" class="unsortable" width="450" | Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Humor Risk]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Humor Risk]]'' | ||
| Line 221: | Line 222: | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Animal Crackers (1930 film)|Animal Crackers]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Animal Crackers (1930 film)|Animal Crackers]]'' | ||
| 1930 | | 1930 | ||
| Captain Jeffrey Spaulding | | [[Captain Jeffrey Spaulding]] | ||
| style="text-align:left;"| Released by Paramount; based on a 1928 Marx Brothers Broadway musical | | style="text-align:left;"| Released by Paramount; based on a 1928 Marx Brothers Broadway musical | ||
|- | |- | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|+ Solo filmography | |+ Solo filmography | ||
! scope="col" width=" | ! scope="col" width="200"| Title | ||
! scope="col" width="10" | Year | ! scope="col" width="10" | Year | ||
! scope="col" width=" | ! scope="col" width="180"| Role | ||
! scope="col" class="unsortable" width=" | ! scope="col" class="unsortable" width="450" | Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Yours for the Asking]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Yours for the Asking]]'' | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[You Bet Your Life]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[You Bet Your Life]]'' | ||
| | | 1950–1961 | ||
| Himself (host) | | Himself (host) | ||
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Quiz show]] | | style="text-align:left;"| [[Quiz show]] | ||
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| Benjamin Linn | | Benjamin Linn | ||
| style="text-align:left;"| Released by RKO | | style="text-align:left;"| Released by RKO | ||
|- | |||
! scope="row"| ''[[The Jack Benny Program]]'' | |||
| 1955 | |||
| Himself | |||
| style="text-align:left;"| Episode: "Jack is a Contestant" (aired April 3,1955) | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| ''[[Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?]]'' | ! scope="row"| ''[[Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?]]'' | ||
| Line 416: | Line 422: | ||
===Essays and reporting=== | ===Essays and reporting=== | ||
*{{cite magazine |author=Marx, Julius H. |date=April 4, 1925 |title=Boston again |department=New York, Etc. |magazine=The New Yorker |volume=1 |issue=7 |pages=25 }} | *{{cite magazine |author=Marx, Julius H. |date=April 4, 1925 |title=Boston again |department=New York, Etc. |magazine=The New Yorker |volume=1 |issue=7 |pages=25}} | ||
*{{cite magazine |author=Marx, Julius H. |author-mask=1 |date=April 11, 1925 |title=Vaudeville talk |department=New York, Etc. |magazine=The New Yorker |volume=1 |issue=8 |pages=25 }} | *{{cite magazine |author=Marx, Julius H. |author-mask=1 |date=April 11, 1925 |title=Vaudeville talk |department=New York, Etc. |magazine=The New Yorker |volume=1 |issue=8 |pages=25}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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*[https://archive.org/download/GrouchoMarx-PressConference1965/GrouchoMarx-PressConferenceLondonJune1965.mp3 Groucho Marx Interview – Press Conference London June 1965] (audio file) | *[https://archive.org/download/GrouchoMarx-PressConference1965/GrouchoMarx-PressConferenceLondonJune1965.mp3 Groucho Marx Interview – Press Conference London June 1965] (audio file) | ||
*[https://vault.fbi.gov/Groucho%20Marx FBI Records: The Vault - Groucho Marx] at vault.fbi.gov | *[https://vault.fbi.gov/Groucho%20Marx FBI Records: The Vault - Groucho Marx] at vault.fbi.gov | ||
*[https://www.marxbrothers.nu/ The Marx Brothers Museum]{{ | *[https://www.marxbrothers.nu/ The Marx Brothers Museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112070935/https://www.marxbrothers.nu/ |date=January 12, 2021 }} | ||
{{Academy Honorary Award}} | {{Academy Honorary Award}} | ||
{{Marx Brothers}} | {{Marx Brothers}} | ||
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[[Category:Marx Brothers]] | [[Category:Marx Brothers]] | ||
[[Category:People from the Upper East Side]] | [[Category:People from the Upper East Side]] | ||
[[Category:American vaudeville performers]] | [[Category:American vaudeville performers]] | ||
[[Category:Jews from New York (state)]] | [[Category:Jews from New York (state)]] | ||
[[Category:Jewish American film people]] | [[Category:Jewish American film people]] | ||