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About Fanlistings: A fanlisting is a place where fans of any one particular subject/person can come together. It's fun to see just how many people are fans of the same thing, and it's also a great way to meet fellow fans. All approved fanlistings can be found at TheFanlistings.org, a great website that lists a ton of fanlistings in just about every category you can imagine. ............................................................. Who was Chico Marx? Chico Marx was born Leonard Marx on March 22, 1887. He grew up in turn-of-the-century New York City, the eldest of five boys. They toured the vaudeville circuit during the early 1900's in several acts, but finally settled on a comedy act including 4 of the brothers, known collectively as the Marx Brothers. In the mid-1920's they hit broadway, starred in 3 plays, and eventually made it to the big screen in 1929. Over the course of their career, they made 13 movies, including "Duck Soup" which is rated #5 on AFI's list of the top 100 comedies of all time. Chico Marx's movie character was that of a dim-witted Italian con-artist. In the movies he would sometimes be paired up with brother Groucho doing dialog humor. But he also played a friend (or big brother?) to brother Harpo, and assisted him with his comedy as well. Not only did he work well with both of his brothers, but he often played "straight" parts with other cast members when necessary. His character had a very flashy, unique way of playing the piano - he had a magical way of making it entertaining, and played at least one piano piece in most of the Brothers' movies. In real life, Chico was a notorious gambling addict and womanizer. However, he was also a charming individual who managed the group after their mother retired. Chico was the reason the Brothers were able to secure a contract with MGM after their 5-picture deal with Paramount ran out. He was married to Betty Karp in 1917, and they had one daughter, Maxine. He and Betty divorced in the 1940's, and he married Mary De Vithas a few years before his death from arteriosclerosis in 1961.