If You've Seen The Marx Brothers, Was Chico Marx Really That Good Of A Pianist? Or Was He Just Faking?

No, he wasn't faking. Chico (real name Leonard) Marx really was a good pianist. In fact he learned to play in childhood, and before the Marx brothers became established, he often helped to earn money for the family by playing the piano in bars and other venues. I did hear a story that he occasionally double-booked himself and sent Harpo along to one of the venues instead; but have no idea if it's true! (I do know that Harpo, though a gifted harp player -hence the name - didn't really know the piano, so if they did try such a scam it probably wouldn't have worked very well.)

It was said that Chico never rehearsed his pieces before playing them, even when about to be filmed.

If you click here you can find more information on Chico as well as the other Marx brothers.

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