“Maybe the first multi-tasker ever, he even had a harp in the bathroom so he could play when he sat on the toilet!” 5. “Dad really loved playing the harp, and he did it constantly,” his son, Bill Marx, wrote. Without any formal training (or the ability to read sheet music), the second-oldest Marx brother developed a unique style that he never stopped improving upon. However, the mustache he later rocked as the host of his famous quiz show You Bet Your Life was 100 percent real. Phony, glue-on facial hair can be a pain to remove and reapply, so Groucho would simply paint a ‘stache and some exaggerated eyebrows onto his face. Michael Ochs Archives/Hulton Archive/Getty Images GROUCHO WORE HIS TRADEMARK GREASEPAINT MUSTACHE BECAUSE HE HATED MORE REALISTIC MODELS. For the record, nobody knows how Herbert Marx came to be known as “ Zeppo.” 3.
Arthur loved playing the harp and thus became “Harpo.” An affinity for soft gumshoes earned Milton the alias “Gummo.” Finally, Julius was both cynical and often seen wearing a “grouch bag”-wherein he’d store small objects like marbles and candy-around his neck. Given his girl-crazy, “chick-chasing” lifestyle, Fisher dubbed him “Chicko” (later, this was shortened to “Chico”). Inspired by a popular comic strip character known as “ Sherlocko the Monk,” he decided that the boys could use some new nicknames. In May of 1914, the five Marxes were playing cards with standup comedian Art Fisher. THEY RECEIVED THEIR STAGE NAMES DURING A POKER GAME. Word of his wit soon spread and demand for these Marx brothers grew.
Rather than boo, the patrons roared with laughter. “The jackass is the finest flower of Tex-ass!” he shouted, among many other ad-libbed jabs. Furious at having lost the spotlight, he skewered his audience upon their return. During a 1907 gig at the Nacogdoches Opera House in East Texas, someone interrupted the performance by barging in and shouting “Mule’s loose!” Immediately, the crowd raced out to watch the newly-liberated animal. As Nightingales, the brothers enjoyed some moderate success, but they might never have found their true calling if it weren’t for an unruly equid. In 1907, the boys joined a group called “ The Three Nightingales.” Managed by their mother, Minnie, the ensemble performed covers of popular songs in theaters all over the country. Julius, Milton, and Arthur Marx originally aspired to be professional singers. A RUNAWAY MULE INSPIRED THEM TO TAKE A STAB AT COMEDY. Today, we’re tipping our hats (and tooting our horns) to Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo, and Gummo-on the 50th anniversary of Groucho's passing. Talented as individuals and magnificent as a team, the Marx Brothers conquered every medium from the vaudeville stage to the silver screen.
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