Novelist, screenwriter and biographer whose subjects included his father, Groucho
Arthur Marx, who has died aged 89, grew up in the shadow of his father, Groucho, and was steeped in the controlled chaos of the Marx Brothers. Torn between trying to distance himself from a demanding father, yet also prove worthy of his genius, he enjoyed a long career as a writer of screen and stage comedies, novels and biographies. Not surprisingly, however, his most successful work capitalised on the public's interest in his father and his uncles, Chico, Harpo, Gummo and Zeppo.
Marx wrote several works about Groucho, the first of which, Life With Groucho (1954), published at the height of his father's television popularity, was a warts-and-all portrait punctuated by Groucho's own annotations. (Marx wrote that he would like to correct the impression that his father was a miser; Groucho's footnote read: "You'd better or I'll cut you off without a nickle.
Arthur Marx, who has died aged 89, grew up in the shadow of his father, Groucho, and was steeped in the controlled chaos of the Marx Brothers. Torn between trying to distance himself from a demanding father, yet also prove worthy of his genius, he enjoyed a long career as a writer of screen and stage comedies, novels and biographies. Not surprisingly, however, his most successful work capitalised on the public's interest in his father and his uncles, Chico, Harpo, Gummo and Zeppo.
Marx wrote several works about Groucho, the first of which, Life With Groucho (1954), published at the height of his father's television popularity, was a warts-and-all portrait punctuated by Groucho's own annotations. (Marx wrote that he would like to correct the impression that his father was a miser; Groucho's footnote read: "You'd better or I'll cut you off without a nickle.
- 4/18/2011
- by Michael Carlson
- The Guardian - Film News
Veteran actor Robert Ellenstein has died. He was 87.
Ellenstein passed away last week of natural causes in Los Angeles, reports Variety.com.
After serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Ellenstein began his Hollywood career playing Quasimodo in TV programme Robert Montgomery Presents.
He had roles in 1957 action movie 3:10 to Yuma, North by Northwest, Love at First Bite and Star Trek IV: The Journey Home, playing the Federation President.
Ellenstein also racked up small-screen credits on TV series including Perry Mason, Mission: Impossible and the Wild Wild West.
He also founded The Los Angeles Academy of Stage and Cinema Arts.
The star is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois, two sons and a daughter, as well as four grandchildren.
Ellenstein passed away last week of natural causes in Los Angeles, reports Variety.com.
After serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Ellenstein began his Hollywood career playing Quasimodo in TV programme Robert Montgomery Presents.
He had roles in 1957 action movie 3:10 to Yuma, North by Northwest, Love at First Bite and Star Trek IV: The Journey Home, playing the Federation President.
Ellenstein also racked up small-screen credits on TV series including Perry Mason, Mission: Impossible and the Wild Wild West.
He also founded The Los Angeles Academy of Stage and Cinema Arts.
The star is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois, two sons and a daughter, as well as four grandchildren.
- 11/5/2010
- WENN
Art Linkletter, who endeared himself to millions of TV viewers in the 1950s and '60s as the genial host of the TV shows "People Are Funny" and "Art Linkletter's House Party," died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 97.
A radio broadcaster, TV host and author, Linkletter was a national fixture for decades. "House Party," a daytime talk show, began on radio in 1944 and then ran on CBS from 1952-69 before moving to NBC for its final season.
The primetime game show "People Are Funny" also began on radio -- Linkletter came on board in 1943 -- before moving to NBC, where it ran from 1954-61.
Between them, the two shows were nominated for four Emmys, with "House Party" winning for best daytime program in 1955. At one point, Linkletter had five shows running concurrently on network TV.
Linkletter "was a television pioneer and legend that contributed to the early success of CBS,...
A radio broadcaster, TV host and author, Linkletter was a national fixture for decades. "House Party," a daytime talk show, began on radio in 1944 and then ran on CBS from 1952-69 before moving to NBC for its final season.
The primetime game show "People Are Funny" also began on radio -- Linkletter came on board in 1943 -- before moving to NBC, where it ran from 1954-61.
Between them, the two shows were nominated for four Emmys, with "House Party" winning for best daytime program in 1955. At one point, Linkletter had five shows running concurrently on network TV.
Linkletter "was a television pioneer and legend that contributed to the early success of CBS,...
- 5/26/2010
- by By Duane Byrge and Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.