Gummo Marx
Early Life
Gummo Marx was born as Milton Marx on October 23, 1892 in Manhattan, New York City. He was the second son of Sam Marx and Minnie Schoenberg Marx. His father was a tailor and his mother was a performer and the sister of Al Shean, a successful vaudeville comedian. Gummo was given his nickname because he had a tendency to be very quiet and sneaky, like a gumshoe, a term for a detective. Gumshoe
Career
Gummo Marx started his career as a part of the Marx Brothers, a family comedy act. He performed with his brothers on the vaudeville circuit. However, he left the act when he was drafted into the military during World War I. After his service, he did not return to the stage, instead opting to become a businessman. Marx Brothers
Gummo and his brother Zeppo Marx started a talent agency in the 1930s. The Marx Brothers Agency represented some of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time, including Lucille Ball and Jackie Gleason. Zeppo Marx
Personal Life
Gummo Marx was married to Helen von Tilzer, a cousin of famous songwriters Harry and Albert von Tilzer. They had two children together, a son named Robert and a daughter named Patricia. Gummo was known to be a very private person and rarely made public appearances. He passed away on April 21, 1977 in Palm Springs, California. Harry von Tilzer
Legacy
Although Gummo Marx was not as well-known as his brothers, he made significant contributions to the entertainment industry through his talent agency. His legacy lives on through the many successful careers he helped to launch.
See Also
Vaudeville World War I Talent Agency
