Groucho Marx Biography

Fast Facts

• Along with Chico and Harpo, was ranked No․ 20 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Male Legends
• Became an avid reader as an adult despite leaving formal schooling at a young age and eventually went on to write several books after years of carrying on personal correspondence with friends in the literary world including T․S․ Eliot and others
• His usual get-up always included a greasepaint mustache and eyebrows, a cigar and quick-witted way of speaking which would eventually launch the sale of the 'beagle puss' gag wear
• Despite wanting to become a doctor at an early age, he was forced to drop out of school at the age of 12 to help support his large family
• Quote: "I drink to make other people interesting․"
• Quote: "I find television very educating․ Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book․"
• After a successful run in feature films throughout the 1920s and 1930s, he eventually gained prominence in radio and later television after accepting hosting duties for the radio quiz program, You Bet Your Life, in 1947
• Only considered a career in comedy after a disastrous singing performance alongside his brothers in Nacogdoches, Texas, lead to the men poking fun at themselves on stage after little response from the audience
• Although he often used sexual innuendos as the subject of his one-liners, he refused to use profanity after stating he never wanted to be known as a 'dirty comic'
• Initially used a German accent for his stage persona, but after the sinking of the RMS Louisiana in 1915, audiences booed the character and he changed to his usual fast-talking, wise-guy shtick instead
• Shortly after his death, his children found a gag letter stating that his dying wish was to be buried on top of Marilyn Monroe