Groucho Marx Original name: Julius Marx
Birth:  Oct. 2, 1890 New York New York County (Manhattan) New York, USA Death:  Aug. 19, 1977 Los Angeles Los Angeles County California, USA Legendary Actor, Comedian. Groucho was probably the best known of the Marx Brothers comedy team. He achieved fame in film with his brothers Harpo and Chico and sometimes Zeppo, and went on to radio and TV success with the "You Bet Your Life" program. Groucho was born Julius Henry Marx in New York City, the fourth son of Sam and Minnie Marx. He started out as a boy singer before teaming up with his brother Harpo and Gummo. Brother Chico joined later, and the boys switched from a musical team to a comedy team. Groucho was always the leader, with his greasepaint mustache, big cigar, swallow tail coat, and most of all, sarcastic, caustic wit. The brothers became a smash hit on Broadway in 1924 with "I'll Say She Is." The brothers --- by this time, with Zeppo replacing Gummo --- became movie stars in 1929 with the film version of "The Cocoanuts." The Marxes made 13 films together, finally retiring with "Love Happy" in 1949. After their film work, Groucho tried several radio programs and solo films with little success. In 1947, he went on radio as the quizmaster of "You Bet Your Life," a show more famous for its repartee between Groucho and his contestants than for the game itself. The program went on TV in 1950 and ended in 1961. After the deaths of Harpo and Chico, Groucho faded into semi-oblivion, having ended his third marraige in 1969. Erin Fleming became his companion/secretary and helped revive his visibility, which included campus tours and a Carnegie Hall appearance. Groucho also wrote eight books. His last year was spent with his son Arthur battling Fleming over Groucho's care. Family links:  Parents:   Samuel Marx (1861 - 1933)   Minnie Schoenberg Marx (1865 - 1929)  Spouse:   Eden Hartford Marx (1930 - 1983)*  Children:   Arthur Marx (1921 - 2011)*  Siblings:   Manfred Marx (1886 - 1886)*   Chico Marx (1887 - 1961)*   Harpo Marx (1888 - 1964)*   Groucho Marx (1890 - 1977)   Gummo Marx (1893 - 1977)*   Zeppo Marx (1901 - 1979)* Cause of death: pneumonia   Burial: Eden Memorial Park Mission Hills Los Angeles County California, USA