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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.
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Play NowHarpo Marx. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 06:38, Jun 19, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175.
Harpo Marx. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 [Accessed 19 Jun 2013].
"Harpo Marx." 2013. The Biography Channel website. Jun 19 2013, 06:38 http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175.
"Harpo Marx," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 [accessed Jun 19, 2013].
"Harpo Marx," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 (accessed Jun 19, 2013).
Harpo Marx [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 Jun 19] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175.
Harpo Marx, http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175 (last visited Jun 19, 2013).
Harpo Marx. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/harpo-marx-16242175. Accessed Jun 19, 2013.
Synopsis
Born in New York in 1888, Harpo Marx was a talented comedian and mime who performed with his brothers as part of the famous Marx Brothers comedy act. He appeared in many films in the 1920s and 1930s, including Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers and Room Service.
Early Life
Comedian and actor Marx Harpo was 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 8.
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.
Marx Brothers Mime
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.
Personal Life and Death
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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