The youngest member of the illustrious Marx Brothers troupe, Zeppo Marx, assumed the role of the straight man after his brother Gummo's departure from the act, thus filling a crucial gap in the group's comedic dynamic.
Not only did Zeppo serve as an understudy to all three of his brothers, but he was also said to have outdone his brother Groucho in portraying his character, a testament to his impressive acting chops.
Throughout the first five Marx Brothers films, Zeppo made notable appearances in smaller roles, yet he eventually felt that his talents were not being utilized to their fullest potential, leading him to leave the act and join his brother Gummo in the world of entertainment as an agent.
As a man of remarkable mechanical aptitude, Zeppo invented a groundbreaking wristwatch designed to monitor the pulse rate of cardiac patients, a truly innovative achievement.
Furthermore, his company, Marman Products, produced crucial clamping devices that played a vital role in the first atomic bomb raids over Japan in 1945, a testament to Zeppo's impressive entrepreneurial spirit.
Tragically, Zeppo Marx passed away on November 30, 1979, succumbing to the devastating effects of cancer.