Gummo Marx (October 23, 1892 - April 21, 1977), known as Gummo, was one of the Marx Brothers. Born in New York City, he worked with his brothers on Vaudeville, but left the act because he did not like performing. This was before they made any of their famous movies. He also served in the army during World War One, thus being the only Marx brother with military service. After leaving the act, Gummo went into the dressmaking business. Later he joined with his brother Zeppo Marx and operated a theatrical agency. The agency was later sold and Gummo turned to representing his brother Groucho Marx and television show The Life of Riley, which he helped develop.
He was given his nickname because he had a tendency to be sneaky backstage, and creep up on others without them knowing (like a gumshoe).
Gummo, along with Groucho, Chico, and Harpo, was named "Gummo" during a card game at the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg, Illinois, and it turned out the names stuck for their entire lives. (Zeppo was also later named "Zeppo", based on these names, all ending in "o").
Gummo died on April 21, 1977, in Palm Springs, California.
The Marx Brothers Chico Marx | Harpo Marx | Groucho Marx | Gummo Marx | Zeppo Marx Films with Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo Humor Risk (1926) • The Cocoanuts (1929) • Animal Crackers (1930) • The House That Shadows Built (1931) • Monkey Business (1931) • Horse Feathers (1932) • Duck Soup (1933)
Films with Chico, Harpo, and Groucho A Night at the Opera (1935) • A Day at the Races (1937) • Room Service (1938) • At the Circus (1939) • Go West (1940) • The Big Store (1941) • A Night in Casablanca (1946) • Love Happy (1949) The Story of Mankind (1957)
