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Quick Facts
- NAME: Harpo Marx
- OCCUPATION: Film Actor, Comedian
- BIRTH DATE: November 23, 1888
- DEATH DATE: September 28, 1964
- PLACE OF BIRTH: New York, New York
- PLACE OF DEATH: Los Angeles, California
- Originally: Adolph Arthur Marx
Best Known For
Harpo Marx was a talented comedian and mime best known for his performances as part of the Marx Brothers comedy act.
Harpo Marx. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 10:56, May 26, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175
Harpo Marx [Internet]. 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175, May 26
" Harpo Marx." 2012. Biography.com 26 May 2012, 10:56 http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175
' Harpo Marx', Biography.com,(2012) http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 [accessed May 26, 2012]
" Harpo Marx," Biography.com, http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 (accessed May 26, 2012).
Harpo Marx [Internet]. Biography.com; 2012 [cited 2012 May 26]. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175.
Harpo Marx, http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 (last visited May 26, 2012).
Harpo Marx, http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 (last visited May 26, 2012).
Synopsis
Profile
Comedian, actor. Born Adolph Arthur Marx on November 23, 1888, in New York City. The second oldest of five boys born to Samuel "Frenchie" Marx and Minnie Schoenberg Marx, Harpo was the only Jewish boy in his public school class and, after being bullied one too many times, dropped out at age eight.Harpo and his brothers, Leonard (Chico), Julius (Groucho), Milton (Gummo) and Herbert (Zeppo), performed countless odd jobs while growing up to help support the family. Minnie, however, was bound and determined for her boys to become stars of the stage. In 1910, the Marx brothers? singing troupe was formed, which was originally dubbed the Four Nightingales. Minnie even leased a harp for the occasion for her second eldest, and hence his stage name was born.
In 1912, the Marx Brothers' singing act devolved to madcap comedy, and the new show became the hallmark of their fame. Because Harpo couldn?t compete with the comedic wits of his brothers, his lines were taken away from him. Though insulted at first, he soon became a gifted mime, particularly in his use of facial expressions and a honking horn. He never spoke professionally again.
The Marx Brothers comedy act was wildly successful, and they eventually made their way to Broadway and in films, including Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers and Room Service. Harpo also traveled the world entertaining troops during World War II and made numerous television appearances.
Harpo married actress Susan Fleming in 1936. The couple adopted four children to whom Harpo was a devoted and loving father. He published his autobiography, Harpo Speaks, in 1961 and died three years later following complications from open-heart surgery.
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