Groucho Marx
October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977
Widely considered one of the sharpest wits in American comedy history, Groucho Marx was as known for his zings and punchlines as he was for his distinctive appearance.
As the middle of 5 boys growing up on the upper east side of Manhattan around the turn of the 20th century, Julius Henry Marx wanted to be a doctor. The only thing that stood in the way of that goal was an abject lack of money, talented siblings, a famous Vaudevillian uncle and mother with dreams. All the boys were talented, but Julius could sing like an angel. By the time he was 15, he was on tour singing with the Gene Leroy Trio. By 19, his mom had he and his brothers Arthur (Harpo) and Milton (Gummo) singing in vaudeville houses throughout the northeast. Billed as “The Four Nightingales”, they ended up moving to the Midwest, where the boys started riffing on stage when shows didn’t go well. They soon found out two things: 1) They were better at being funny than singing. And 2) Audiences LOVED it.
The newly christened “Marx Brothers” honed the comedy act, returned to New York and became legends. Gummo went off to war and little brother Herbert (Zeppo) joined. Older brother Leonard (Chico) had been doing his own one-man act, but soon joined up. By 1924, the Marx Brothers were bringing the house down on Broadway with shows like I’ll Say She Is, The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers.
Groucho, as he was now known, leaned very heavily into the character he had developed on stage. The fast-talking, duck-walking, cigar-chomping “straight man” to his brothers’ zany oddballs. He went on to star in 13 movies alongside his brothers, setting the standard for comedic films that would influence generations of comedians that followed.
Marx enjoyed a long career cracking wise outside the successful umbrella of the “Marx Brothers” as well. He appeared in an additional 13 movies and served as the host of the beloved quiz show You Bet Your Life in both its radio and television forms. In 1960, he appeared in the television broadcast of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado. But, for the most part, he was always “Groucho”.
Stories of Groucho’s sense of humor remaining in tact throughout his declining final years are numerous and as iconic as he was. He died of pneumonia at the age of 86, just 4 months after his brother, Gummo, passed away. Despite honors and accolades later in his life, Groucho’s passing was sadly overshadowed by the sensational death of Elvis Presley just a few days earlier. Regardless, he remains one of the most recognizable, imitated and celebrated comedians of all time.
Burial
Eden Memorial Park – San Fernando, CA
Specific Location
Court of the Tribes Mausoleum, West Columbarium; There are 4 outcroppings on the southern side of this outdoor mausoleum. Groucho’s niche is located inside the 2nd one from the west. Enter and he can be found in the middle of the back wall right in front of you and to your left.
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