Harpo Marx
| Harpo Marx | |
|---|---|
Harpo Marx in 1931
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| Born |
Adolph Marx November 23, 1888 Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | September 28, 1964 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, mime, musician |
| Years active | 1910–1963 |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m) |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Fleming (m. 1936; his death 1964) |
| Parent(s) |
Minnie Schönberg Sam "Frenchie" Marx |
| Relatives |
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Arthur Marx (born Adolph Marx; November 23, 1888 – September 28, 1964), known professionally as Harpo Marx, was an American comedian, actor, mime artist, and musician, and the second-oldest of the Marx Brothers. In contrast to the mainly verbal comedy of his brothers Groucho and Chico, Harpo's comic style was visual, being an example of both clown and pantomime traditions. He wore a curly reddish blonde wig, and never spoke during performances (he blew a horn or whistled to communicate). He frequently used props such as a horn cane, made up of a lead pipe, tape, and a bulbhorn, and he played the harp in most of his films.
Harpo was born on November 23, 1888 in Manhattan, New York City. He grew up in a neighborhood now known as Carnegie Hill on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, on East 93rd Street off Lexington Avenue. The turn-of-the-century building that Harpo called "the first real home they ever knew" (in his memoir Harpo Speaks) was populated with European immigrants, mostly artisans – which even included a glass blower. Just across the street were the oldest brownstones in the area, owned by people like David L. Loew and William Orth.
Harpo's parents were Sam Marx (called "Frenchie" throughout his life) and his wife, Minnie Schoenberg Marx. Minnie's brother was Al Shean. Marx's family was Jewish. His mother was from East Frisia in Germany, and his father was a native of Alsace in France and worked as a tailor.
Harpo received little formal education and left grade school at age eight (mainly due to bullying) during his second attempt to pass the second grade. He began to work, gaining employment in numerous odd jobs alongside his brother Chico to contribute to the family income, including selling newspapers, working in a butcher shop, and as an errand office boy.
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