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11

The comic Marx brothers - there were five of them. Two of them were Groucho and Harpo. Can you name the other three?

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CHICO / ZEPPO / GUMMO - entertainment illustration
CHICO / ZEPPO / GUMMO — entertainment

While Groucho, with his signature greasepaint mustache and witty insults, and Harpo, the silent, curly-haired mischief-maker, are the most celebrated members of the Marx Brothers, they were indeed part of a larger family act. The remaining three brothers were Chico, Gummo, and Zeppo. The eldest of the performing brothers, Chico, was known for his Italian persona, piano-playing skills, and con-artist antics on screen. He was a key member of the troupe and appeared in all of their films alongside Groucho and Harpo.

The other two brothers, Gummo and Zeppo, are less famous because their time with the group was more limited. Gummo, whose real name was Milton, was part of the early vaudeville act but left in 1918 to serve in World War I. He never appeared in any of their films and later became a theatrical agent. His younger brother, Herbert, known as Zeppo, replaced him in the act. Zeppo played the straight man and romantic lead in the first five Marx Brothers films, including "Duck Soup."

After "Duck Soup," Zeppo decided to leave the act, reportedly because he was tired of being the un-funny straight man. Despite his brothers' claims that he was the funniest of them all off-stage, Zeppo's on-screen persona was that of a normal, romantic lead, which provided a contrast to the chaotic comedy of his siblings. Following his departure, the core trio of Groucho, Harpo, and Chico continued to make films. Gummo and Zeppo later went into business together, running a successful talent agency.