Gummo Marx

Milton "Gummo" Marx (October 23, 1893 – April 21, 1977) was an American vaudevillian performer, actor, comedian and theatrical agent. He was the second youngest of the five Marx Brothers. Born in Manhattan, New York City, he worked with his brothers on the vaudeville circuit. Generally uncomforatlbe with performing, Milton left acting when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War I, several years before his brothers, Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo, began their film careers. He and Zeppo established a very successful theatrical agency in the 1930s. Later, Gummo represented Groucho for a number of years. He married Helen von Tizer in 1929; she died in 1976. Gummo and Harpo were the only two Marx brothers to only marry once and never divorce. Gummo died in April, 1977, just a few months before Groucho.

Gummo Marx in "Hail! Hail!"
Milton Marx was part of the Marx Brothers when they were a song-and-dance act early in the 20th century. He was with Leonard, Arthur, and Julius when they played Nacogdoches, Texas in 1912. Most of their audience ran out in the middle of the show to view a runaway mule. Irate, Julius began to insult the audience who remained. However, the audience misunderstood, and thought Julius was simply doing a comedy bit, and began laughing hard. The Marx Brothers realized they were better comics than song-and-dance men, and so adopted their new act.

Milton had left the group long before his brothers made it in film. Their youngest brother, Herbert, had replaced him. Thus, Milton was not part of their trip back in time to the year December 15, 1826.