In addition to just liking cigars, Groucho explained that they proved useful, too. He often wore a long coat, a painted-on mustache, thick glasses and held on to a cigar on stage. Groucho had developed some of his trademarks by this time. The switch to comedy proved to be their ticket to success.īy the 1920s, the Marx Brothers had become a hugely popular theatrical act. Groucho's quick-witted quips won over the crowd. When they returned, the Marx Brothers put aside their usual routines to make fun of the audience. During a show, some of the audience left to go see a runaway mule. The Marx Brothers had a career breakthrough in 1914 while performing in Texas. READ MORE: The Marx Brothers: Inside the Comedians' Early Life and Travels Career Breakthrough Fisher also coined amusing names for Groucho's brothers, renaming Leonard 'Chico,' Adolph 'Harpo' and Milton 'Gummo.' Milton left the act to fight in World War I and was replaced by youngest brother Herbert, known as 'Zeppo.' Both Herbert and Milton later became theatrical agents. Groucho received his colorful nickname from fellow vaudeville performer Art Fisher because of his personality.

The act eventually featured Groucho and his brothers Leonard, Adolph and Milton.

She became the quintessential 'stage mother,' guiding her children's theatrical acts and even performing herself. His mother Minnie hoped that she might find prosperity through her five children. Groucho's father Samuel never had much success as a tailor, and the family struggled financially. He had to work at a grocery store to earn enough money to make it back to New York. As part of the Le May Trio, Groucho got stuck in Colorado for a while after another group member took off with his pay. One of his earliest efforts proved to be disastrous, however. While he originally aspired to be a doctor, Groucho started his career as a singer. Marx was born Julius Henry Marx on October 2, 1890, in New York City. He once described his comedy as 'the type of humor that made people laugh at themselves.' Early Life They made films before splitting up in 1949, at which point Groucho performed solo on radio and television. By the 1920s, the Marx Brothers had become a hugely popular theatrical act.

The Marx Brothers had a career breakthrough in 1914, as Groucho's quick-witted quips won over crowds. Comedian and film actor Groucho Marx was one of the Marx Brothers.

Groucho and me