Groucho Marx

Groucho Marx
Marx in Copacabana (1947)
Birth nameJulius Henry Marx
Born(1890-10-02)October 2, 1890
New York City, NY, U.S.
DiedAugust 19, 1977(1977-08-19) (aged 86)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeEden Memorial Park Cemetery
Medium
  • Film
  • television
  • stage
  • radio
  • music
Years active1905–1976
Genres
Spouse
  • Ruth Johnson
    (m. 1920; div. 1942)
  • Kay Marvis Gorcey
    (m. 1945; div. 1951)
  • (m. 1954; div. 1969)
Children
Parent(s)
Relative(s)

Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (/ˈɡr/; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer who performed in films and vaudeville on television, radio, and the stage.[1] He was a master of quick wit and is considered one of America's greatest comedians.[2]

Marx made 13 feature films as a team with his brothers, who performed under the name the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third born. He also had a successful solo career, primarily on radio and television, most notably as the host of the game show You Bet Your Life.[1]

His distinctive appearance, carried over from his days in vaudeville, included quirks such as an exaggerated stooped posture, spectacles, cigar, and a thick greasepaint mustache (later a real mustache) and eyebrows. These exaggerated features resulted in the creation of one of the most recognizable and ubiquitous novelty disguises, known as Groucho glasses: a one-piece mask consisting of horn-rimmed glasses, a large plastic nose, bushy eyebrows and brush mustache.[3]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Billboard Magazine May 4, 1974, pg 35: "Groucho Marx was the best comedian this country ever produced – Woody Allen"
  3. ^ Giddins, Gary (2001). The New York Times Book Reviews 2000, volume 1. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. ISBN 1-57958-058-0. "The most enduring masks of the 20th century—likely to take their place alongside Comedy and Tragedy or Pulcinella and Pierrot"

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