Grocho Marx , 2001
Mixed media on canvas
19" x 20"


Grocho Marx (1890 - 1977) was the emcee and star of the quiz show, You Bet Your Life. Although it was obtensibly a quiz, the series' most important asset was the humor injected by Groucho into the interviews he did with the contestants before they had a chance to play the game. Contestants were picked primarily on the potential they had to be foils for Groucho's barbs, which they seemed to love.

At the start of each show the audience was informed of the night's secret word. If any of the contestants happened to say it while they were on the air, they won an extra $100. When they said the word a dilapidated stuffed duck would drop from the ceiling with the $100 attached.

Grocho has been purchased by Ashley Harris, owner of All Unigue Gallery, Mobile, Alabama


$400