In the scorching summer of 1974, Steve Stoliar found himself unexpectedly unemployed—a twist of fate that turned out to be a golden opportunity. A UCLA student at the time, Stoliar soon landed the job of a lifetime: assistant to none other than Groucho Marx, the comedic genius and his childhood idol. “I couldn’t believe it,” Stoliar reminisces to Closer. “I worked seven days a week because I couldn’t get enough of it. Shaking Groucho’s hand and thanking him for all those laughs had been a dream of mine for years. And there I was, right inside his house! It was surreal.”
By then, Groucho Marx, whose real name was Julius Henry Marx, was in his 80s, a living legend in the world of comedy. He'd begun his career in vaudeville, starred in 13 films with his brothers as the Marx Brothers, and became a beloved host of the long-running TV show You Bet Your Life. Even as an older man, Groucho retained the sharp wit that had made him a household name. "Even after dealing with strokes and other health issues, he still had more energy and humor than most people do in their prime," Stoliar shares in his book Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho's House. "Groucho wasn’t the type to just sit around. He loved to be out and about, engaging with the world."
When Groucho was at home, his place became a hub for legendary visitors. Friends like Jack Lemmon and Mae West would drop by, and his surviving brothers, Zeppo and Gummo, would join in, their witty banter reminiscent of their glory days on the Paramount sets.
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Behind the Laughter: A Complicated Legacy
But life inside Groucho's world wasn’t all laughs and charm. Stoliar also recalls a darker chapter during Groucho's final years: the overwhelming influence of his secretary and manager, Erin Fleming. An aspiring actress with a fiery temper, Fleming wielded significant control over Groucho's life and career. "She’d yell at him, and he’d cry," Stoliar remembers, his voice tinged with sadness. "But Groucho was so fond of her and deeply dependent on her." No matter how cruel Fleming became, Groucho’s attachment to her remained unshaken. She even created a rift between Groucho and his children—Arthur, Miriam, and Melinda—a situation that Stoliar believes weighed heavily on Groucho’s heart.
Stoliar shares a poignant moment from the mid-’70s when Groucho and his biographer Hector Arce watched a documentary about Charlie Chaplin. The film ended with scenes of Chaplin and his wife enjoying time with their grandchildren. "When the lights came on, Hector noticed tears in Groucho's eyes," Stoliar recounts. "I think he was reflecting on what he didn’t have with his own family. That kind of warmth and connection seemed to be something he deeply desired." Despite these challenges, Groucho's wit never faltered. Stoliar recalls a striking moment when Groucho, on his deathbed and barely conscious, delivered a quip to a nurse. "She said, ‘I want to check if you have a temperature,’ and he replied, ‘Don’t be silly. Everybody has a temperature!’ It was almost instinctive, like a reflex. That spark that made him Groucho stayed with him until the very end."
Reflections on Groucho’s Legacy
Groucho’s life was a fascinating blend of brilliance, humor, and complexity. His legacy extends beyond the laughs he brought to audiences worldwide. Through Stoliar’s eyes, we see a man who, despite his fame and talent, struggled with personal relationships and the weight of control exerted by those around him. Yet, his enduring wit and charm continue to inspire generations, proving that true humor is timeless.
