Some Harpo facts...

Harpo's birthdate: November 23, 1888

Harpo's real name: Adolph (he later changed it to "Arthur," long before "Adolph" became synonymous with Hitler).

How he got the name "Harpo:" It was given by Vaudeville monologuist Art Fisher in 1915 (approx.) during a card game. As Fisher dealt the cards he gave each of the attending Marx Brothers an appropriate name, based on the discussion they just had on how many Vaudeville acts had characters ending in "o," due to the success of a comic strip reportedly called "Knocko the Monk." Because of his harp playing, Adolph became "Harpo."

The Harp: Harpo played the harp in 11 of the 13 Marx Brothers films... the exceptions being Duck Soup and Room Service.

Harpo's wig: Harpo wore a red wig throughout the Marxes stage career and in the film The Cocoanuts. He switched to using a blonde wig, starting with Animal Crackers, due to it showing up better on black & white film. In several films though, he's still referred to as a "redhead." For A Night in Casablanca, Harpo dyed and curled his hair instead of using a wig.

Origin of "The Gookie:" Gookie was a cigar roller who worked at the window of a shop on Lexington Ave. in New York. He would become so engrossed in making a cigar, he would be unaware of the repulsive face he was making... a face that young Harpo immitated perfectly. Harpo would make the face as he looked through the window and shout "Gookie! Gookie!"... The store patrons found it hilarious. Gookie didn't and usuaully wound up chasing Harpo down the street. See Harpo making a Gookie (from A Day at the Races).

Could Harpo speak? Harpo COULD speak. His mute stage persona came about when his uncle, famous Vaudeville performer Al Shean (of Gallagher & Shean), wrote a play for the pre-film Marx Brothers. However, he forgot to put a part in for Harpo. Shean told Harpo to just pantomime, but Harpo decided to try and ad-lib. After ad-libbing didn't go over well, Harpo followed his uncle's advice, and has been "silent" ever since.

Who is "Exapno Mapcase?" In the Fall of 1933, Harpo was invited to be the first American to perform in the newly "recognized" Soviet Union. While walking around Moscow, he saw posters for his performances. The nearest he could come to pronouncing his name as it appeared in Russian was "Exapno Mapcase." See the "Exapno Mapcase" poster.

Harpo's family: Harpo married actress Susan Fleming on September 28, 1936. They adopted four children: Bill, Alex, Jimmy, and Minnie.

Harpo's Death: Harpo died on September 28, 1964 (his 28th wedding anniversary), while undergoing heart bypass surgery.

Required Harpo Reading...

"Harpo Speaks" by Harpo Marx and Rowland Barber, 1961

"The Marx Bros. Scrapbook" by Groucho Marx and Richard J. Anobile, 1973

"The Marx Brothers Encyclopedia" by Glenn Mitchell, 1996

Some Harpo-Related Images... (click image to enlarge)