Marx Brothers
American comedy troupe from vaudeville to film.
The Marx Brothers were an American comedy troupe who achieved success in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in 13 motion pictures. The five brothers were Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Groucho Marx, Gummo Marx, and Zeppo Marx, though Gummo and Zeppo both left the group over time, leaving Chico, Harpo, and Groucho as a trio. They are considered by critics, scholars and fans to be among the greatest and most influential comedians of the 20th century, a recognition underscored by the American Film Institute (AFI) selecting five of their thirteen feature films to be among the top 100 comedy films (with two in the top fifteen) and including them as the only group of performers on AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list of the 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema.
- field
- Comedy, film, vaudeville, Broadway
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Comedy troupe, 13 motion pictures, AFI top comedy films
- born
- New York City, sons of Jewish immigrants
- members
- Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, Zeppo Marx
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The Marx Brothers were born in New York City, the sons of Jewish immigrants. Their mother Minnie Marx, from a family of performers, managed the brothers and was the driving force in launching the troupe. Groucho made his stage debut at age 14 in 1905, and was joined, in succession, by Gummo and Harpo. Chico started a separate vaudeville act in 1911 and joined his brothers in 1912. Zeppo replaced Gummo when the latter joined the army in World War I. The brothers performed in vaudeville until 1923, when they were banned from major circuits due to a dispute with E. F. Albee. They then transitioned to Broadway, achieving success with hit musical comedies including I'll Say She Is, The Cocoanuts, and Animal Crackers. In 1928, the Marx Brothers made a deal with Paramount Pictures to appear in a screen version of The Cocoanuts, filmed at Paramount's Astoria Studios during the Broadway run of Animal Crackers. They moved to Los Angeles and starred in three more films for Paramount: Monkey Business (1931), Horse Feathers (1932), and Duck Soup (1933). After their contract expired, Zeppo left the team and the Marx Brothers left Paramount. Groucho, Chico, and Harpo were signed by Irving Thalberg at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where they starred in A Night at the Opera (1935), which they considered their best film. They continued making films, including A Day at the Races (1937), Room Service (1938), At the Circus (1939), Go West (1940), The Big Store (1941), A Night in Casablanca (1946), and their final film, Love Happy (1949).
Reader's Guide
The Marx Brothers are recognized as among the greatest and most influential comedians of the 20th century. The American Film Institute selected five of their thirteen feature films to be among the top 100 comedy films, with two in the top fifteen, and included them as the only group of performers on AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list of the 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema. Their performing lives were heavily influenced by their mother, Minnie Marx, who acted as their manager. The brothers' comedy evolved from singing acts to comedy sketches, with their stage names given by monologist Art Fisher during a poker game. After their film career waned, Groucho went on to host the quiz show You Bet Your Life, while Harpo and Chico continued guest appearances on television and stage. Their legacy endures through their films and their status as a unique comedic ensemble.
Did You Know?
- The Marx Brothers were the only group of performers on AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list of the 25 greatest male stars of Classical Hollywood cinema.
- Groucho made his stage debut as a singer in 1905, at age 14.
- Their stage names were given by monologist Art Fisher during a poker game, inspired by Gus Mager's comic strip Sherlocko the Monk.
- Harpo changed his name from Adolph to Arthur in 1910, because he had never liked the name Adolph.
- The brothers were banned from major vaudeville circuits in 1923 due to a dispute with E. F. Albee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Marx Brothers?
They were an American comedy troupe that built their reputation through vaudeville, Broadway, and 13 feature films. The core trio most people associate with the name is Chico, Harpo, and Groucho Marx, though the original group included two additional brothers, Gummo and Zeppo.
How many Marx Brothers movies were made?
The group produced 13 motion pictures in total. The American Film Institute later ranked five of those features among its top 100 comedy films, with two of the five placing even higher on the list.
Who were the five original Marx Brothers?
The lineup was Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Gummo, and Zeppo Marx. Gummo and Zeppo eventually departed the act, leaving the iconic trio of Chico, Harpo, and Groucho to continue performing and making films.
Where did the Marx Brothers come from?
All five brothers were born in New York City to Jewish immigrant parents. They first developed their rapid-fire, absurdist style on the vaudeville stage before moving to Broadway and then into Hollywood.
Why are the Marx Brothers considered so important in comedy history?
Critics, scholars, and fans broadly regard them as among the most influential comic performers of the twentieth century. Their lasting impact is underscored by the AFI selecting five of their thirteen films for its all-time top comedy ranking.
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