Zeppo Marx

Zeppo Marx

Ashes scattered at sea.

At the time of his death, he was the last surviving of The Marx Brothers.

Brother of Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, and Gummo Marx.

Brother-in-law of Eden Hartford, Ruth Johnson, Kay Marvis, and Susan Fleming.

Great-uncle of Jade Marx-Berti, Gregg Marx, Laura Guzik, and Brett Marx.



He and his first wife adopted their only child, Timothy, in 1944.

He was a serious amateur machinist, and among the products his company, Marman, developed in the late 1940s was a 2-cylinder motorized bicycle, the Marman Twin (produced 1948-49). Unfortunately, his bike was unable to compete with the more established Whizzers, despite being far more powerful. These bikes are highly collectible today.

He was portrayed by actor Alvin Kupperman in the Broadway musical "Minnie's Boys," which ran an at the Imperial Theatre for 80 Performances from Mar 26 to May 30, 1970.

His company, Marman Products, marketed and produced what came to be known as the Marman Clamp, which proved to have numerous applications in aircraft and aerospace, and is used to this day. The company eventually grew to two factories employing more than 500 workers. Marx would often hire studio prop men and unemployed big band musicians.

In real life, he was supposedly the funniest of his brothers despite always playing the straight man in their films.

Nephew of actor Al Shean.

Officially left the brothers' comedy team to become an agent on March 30, 1934.

One of only two of The Marx Brothers to play a recurring role in their films (not counting when they used their own names). He played the role of "Jamison" in both The Cocoanuts (1929) and Animal Crackers (1930).

Since he'd missed out when his brothers received their nicknames, he was given one by his siblings. He was always practicing acrobatics, so he was named "Zippo" -- after "Mr. Zippo," the star of a well-known chimpanzee act. Feeling it was unflattering, he insisted it be Zeppo. Another version of this story , was that his name was changed to "Zeppo" in honor of the then popular "Zepplin".

Son of Sam Marx and Minnie Palmer.

Throughout his life, he had many careers including inventor, talent agent, manufacturer, commercial fisherman, and grapefruit grower.

Uncle of Arthur Marx, Miriam Marx, Maxine Marx, Bob Marx, Melinda Marx, and Bill Marx.

When he married Barbara Marx, her son, Bobby Oliver, took the Marx surname, although Marx never legally adopted him.


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