1890–1977

Julius “Groucho” Marx and his brothers (yes, the Marx Brothers really were biological brothers) were born and raised at 239 East 114th Street. He began his career by singing in a vaudeville act at age fifteen. His brothers Chico, Harpo, and Zeppo eventually joined him, and the personae they took on were intended to represent the ethnicities of New York City. Together they formed a vaudeville troupe that toured the country and appeared in Broadway shows such as The Cocoanuts (1925) and Animal Crackers (1928). They later turned these shows into some of the funniest movies of the 1930s. Groucho Marx was the unofficial spokesman of the brothers; his impeccable timing, brilliant wordplay, and talent for slapstick made him one of America’s greatest comedians.

“Practically everyone in New York has half a mind to write a book, and does.”
–Groucho Marx