Chico Marx | |
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Born | Leonard Joseph Marx March 22, 1887 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Died | October 11, 1961 Hollywood, California, U.S. | (aged 74)
Burial place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, California, U.S. |
Other names | Leo Marx |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1910–1960 |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
Spouses |
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Children | 1 |
Parent(s) | Sam "Frenchie" Marx Minnie Schönberg |
Relatives | Harpo Marx (brother) Groucho Marx (brother) Gummo Marx (brother) Zeppo Marx (brother) Al Shean (maternal uncle) |
Leonard Joseph "Chico" Marx (/ˈtʃɪkoʊ/ CHIK-oh; March 22, 1887 – October 11, 1961) was an American comedian, actor and pianist.[1] He was the oldest brother in the Marx Brothers comedy troupe, alongside his brothers Arthur ("Harpo"), Julius ("Groucho"), Milton ("Gummo") and Herbert ("Zeppo"). His persona in the act was that of a charming, uneducated but crafty con artist, seemingly of rural Italian origin, who wore shabby clothes and sported a curly-haired wig and Tyrolean hat. On screen, Chico is often in alliance with Harpo, usually as partners in crime, and is also frequently seen trying to con or outfox Groucho. Leonard was the oldest of the Marx Brothers to live past early childhood, the first-born being Manfred Marx who had died in infancy. In addition to his work as a performer, he played an important role in the management and development of the act in its early years.