Groucho Marx

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Chico Marx, Nat Pendleton, and Groucho Marx in a comedic scene from the film At the Circus, with Pendleton holding a hose to Groucho's face inside a circus train car.

Lobby card for Duck Soup (1933) showing Harpo Marx in a blue uniform, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx, and Groucho Marx with a painted mustache and glasses, standing together.

The Marx Brothers-Zeppo, Chico, Groucho, and Harpo-stand in a row holding rifles in a chaotic room, dressed in comic military uniforms in a scene from the 1933 film Duck Soup.

Groucho Marx, Margaret Dumont, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx stand together in formal and comedic costumes, surrounded by police officers, in a scene from A Night at the Opera.

Watch an episode of the television game show “You Bet Your Life” hosted by Groucho Marx

Groucho Marx

American comedian and actor

Also known as: Julius Henry Marx

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June 30, 2026

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Groucho Marx — Groucho Marx American actor and comedian Groucho Marx, c. 1933.

Groucho Marx (born Julius Henry Marx on October 2, 1890, in New York City) was a renowned American comedian and actor, best known as a member of the iconic Marx Brothers comedy team. The brothers, including Chico, Harpo, Gummo, and Zeppo, were celebrated for their inventive and anarchic humor that often satirized societal norms and institutions.12

Groucho's distinctive persona featured rapid-fire wit, non-sequiturs, a cigar, greasepaint mustache, and glasses. He was the master of verbal comedy within the act. The Marx Brothers achieved significant success on Broadway before transitioning to film, starring in classics like The Cocoanuts, Animal Crackers, Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, and Duck Soup. Later films, such as A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races, were also highly successful. After the team disbanded, Groucho found enduring fame with his popular radio and television quiz show, You Bet Your Life. He passed away on August 19, 1977, in Los Angeles, California.12

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Marx Brothers
September 28, 1964, Hollywood), Groucho (original name Julius Henry Marx; b. October 2, 1890, New York City—d. August 19, 1977, Los Angeles, California), Gummo (original name Milton Marx; b. October 23, 1892, New York City—d. April 21, 1977, Palm Springs, California), and Zeppo (original name Herbert Marx; b. February…
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September 28, 1964, Hollywood), Groucho (original name Julius Henry Marx; b. October 2, 1890, New York City—d. August 19, 1977, Los Angeles, California), Gummo (original name Milton Marx; b. October 23, 1892, New York City—d. April 21, 1977, Palm Springs, California), and Zeppo (original name Herbert Marx; b. February…
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Duck Soup
Groucho Marx played Rufus T. Firefly, the cynical, sarcastic, and money-hungry leader of a fictional country called Freedonia. Margaret Dumont, a standard in the Marx Brothers’ films, was once again the butt of Groucho’s barbs, playing a rich dowager easily wooed by his questionable charms.…
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Groucho Marx played Rufus T. Firefly, the cynical, sarcastic, and money-hungry leader of a fictional country called Freedonia. Margaret Dumont, a standard in the Marx Brothers’ films, was once again the butt of Groucho’s barbs, playing a rich dowager easily wooed by his questionable charms.…
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A Night at the Opera
…of dubious morals (played by Groucho Marx), is hired by social climber Mrs. Claypool (Margaret Dumont) to help her break into high society. He suggests she invest in an opera company, the success of which is contingent on his signing the famous Italian tenor Lassparri (Walter Woolf King). After mistakenly…
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…of dubious morals (played by Groucho Marx), is hired by social climber Mrs. Claypool (Margaret Dumont) to help her break into high society. He suggests she invest in an opera company, the success of which is contingent on his signing the famous Italian tenor Lassparri (Walter Woolf King). After mistakenly…
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humor
Verbal humor
When Groucho Marx says of a safari in Africa, “We shot two bucks, but that was all the money we had,” the joke hinges on the two meanings of the word buck. It would be less funny without the reference to Groucho, which evokes a visual…
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When Groucho Marx says of a safari in Africa, “We shot two bucks, but that was all the money we had,” the joke hinges on the two meanings of the word buck. It would be less funny without the reference to Groucho, which evokes a visual…
Read More