Born: March 22, 1887 in New York City, NY
Died: October 11, 1961 in Hollywood, CA

Chico was the second child in the Marx family, but his older brother Manfred died in infancy, so Chico had the role of the oldest. His given name was Leonard. The legend for his nickname "Chico" says that he got it from chasing "chicks". He was the favorite son of his mother Minnie and it showed in what she let him get away with. He was always willing to take any bet, and would be a life long gambling addict. He was also famous for his way with the opposite sex.

Chico always had a smile, a game of pinochle, and a lady. He was probably the most reckless of the group but it often paid off for them all. It was his ideas and drive that made the other boys hang in there during the tough times. It was Chico who lead them to greater success when he saw the first musical tabloid shows and decided that it was a perfect format for the group. This came at a time when spirits were down over low bookings for the much toured "Mr. Green's Reception". He acted as the Manager of the group right after Minnie was retired. Chico was able to act as the focus of the groups energies and it was this focus which lead the group to Broadway and the silver screen. It was also due to Chico's ability to charm people that the Brothers ended up working with Irving Thalberg.

Chico played in all Marx Brothers vaudeville shows and films. He also did a radio show with Groucho and later worked as a musician. He remained a performer for all his life, often working the same small circuits as an old man that he had worked as a boy. He had to do this because of the amount of money he lost over the years gambling. He was once asked how much money he had lost and his reply was "Ask Harpo how much he's made and that' how much I've lost." Chico died in 1961, after a long battle with heart disease. At his funeral a man stood up and began eulogizing him. He painted a totally inaccurate picture of who Chico Marx had been. It got so bad at one point during the service Harpo leaned over to Maxine and whispered "When I go, do me a favour and hire a mime."

Chico Marx appeared in the following movies:

Film Title	Character name
Humorisk - 1920/21 c.
The Cocoanuts - 1929	Chico
Animal Crackers - 1930	Signor Emanuel Ravelli
Monkey Business - 1931	A Stowaway
The House That Shadows Built - 1931
Horse Feathers - 1932	Barovelli
Hollywood on Parade No.5 - 1932
Duck Soup - 1933	Chicolini
Hollywood on Parade No.9 - 1933
A Night at the Opera - 1935	Fiorello
A Day at the Races - 1937	Tony
Room Service - 1938	Harry Binelli
At the Circus - 1939	Antonio Pirelli
Go West - 1940	Joseph Panello
The Big Store - 1941	Ravelli
Screen snapshot No. 110 - 1943
A Night in Casablanca - 1946	Corbaccio
Love Happy - 1949	Faustino
The Story of Mankind - 1957	Monk

Important dates in the live of Chico Marx:

21 Mar 1887	Leonard "Chico" Marx is born
Feb 1910	When joined by Minnie Marx and aunt Hannah Schickler The Four Nightingales become The Six Mascots
1912	Fun in Hi Skule is the first musical sketch of the Brothers. This half-hour 'school act' features the four brothers, Paul Yates and others
1913	Mr. Green's Reception is a followup to Fun in Hi Skule
1914	Home Again is developed from the second half of Mr. Green's Reception
22 Mar 1917	Chico marries Betty Carp
1918	In The Cinderella Girl Zeppo replaces Gummo. This musical comedy is written by Jo Swerling with music by Gus Kahn
Jan 1918	Maxine, daughter of Chico and Betty, born
1921	The silent movie Humorisk is made with money raised by a friend. Director is Jo Swerling. It was made in two weeks at Fort Lee, NJ. studios and in a studio at 49th St. and 10th Ave. in New York. No copy exists of this (unfinished?) film.
1921	On the Mezzanine Floor (in England: On the Balcony) a musical revue written by Herman Timberg, produced by Benny Leonard
19 May 1924	Stage show I'll say she is, scripted by Will B. Johnstone, opens at the Casinos
8 Dec 1925	Stage show The Cocoanuts opens at the Lyric and runs for 275 performances, a full season on Broadway, as well as two years on the road.
23 Oct 1928	Stage show Animal Crackers opens at the 44th Street Theater and runs for 191 performances. It was laid off the following summer, went on tour in mid-October.
3 Aug 1929	Film The Cocoanuts released
6 Sep 1930	Film Animal Crackers released
5 Jan 1931	The Marxes appear in the London Palace Theatre
19 Sep 1931	Film Monkey Business released
31 Aug 1932	Film Horse Feathers released
24 Nov 1933	Film Duck Soup released
1934	Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel Radio Show with Groucho and Chico
15 Nov 1935	Film A Night at the Opera released
11 Jun 1937	Film A Day at the Races released
30 Sep 1938	Film Room Service released
1939	The Kellog's Show on radio with Groucho and Chico
20 Oct 1939	Film At the Circus released
1940	In the 1940s Chico and Betty get divorced
6 Dec 1940	Film Go West released
20 Jun 1941	Film The Big Store released
1943	Chico has his own band
1944	Chico appears in the revue Take a Bow
10 May 1946	Film A Night in Casablanca released
3 Mar 1950	Film Love Happy released
1953	The TV series College Bowl features Chico
8 Nov 1957	Film The Story of Mankind released. Chico, Harpo and Groucho appear in this film, but not together in one scene
1958	TV production Next to No Time with Chico
Aug 1958	Chico marries Mary De Vithas
8 Mar 1959	The TV film The Incredible Jewel Robbery is the last film to have three Marx Brothers
11 Oct 1961	Chico dies of arteriosclerosis
16 Jan 1977	The Marxes are inducted to the Motion Picture Hall of Fame

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