Zeppo Marx, often considered the funniest of the Marx Brothers off the screen, lived a life that contrasts sharply with the comedic brilliance of his iconic siblings, Groucho, Chico, and Harpo. While he starred in classic films such as Duck Soup and Monkey Business, a new biography uncovers a more sinister narrative lurking behind the laughter.

Scheduled for release in the UK this December, Zeppo: The Reluctant Marx Brother by Robert S. Bader reveals disturbing details about Zeppo's connections to organized crime and notorious mobsters involved in high-stakes gambling, drug trafficking, prostitution, and even murder. Bader remarks, “This guy was really shady. It’s hard to believe, but he was on a driven mission to out-earn his brothers, not caring about the risks involved.” Surprisingly, despite his dealings with criminals, Bader claims, “But he never killed anybody, as far as I know.”

Born Herbert Marx in 1901, Zeppo was the youngest of the five Marx Brothers and became a talented agent after stepping away from acting. His circle included A-list celebrities like Frank Sinatra, who later infamously had an affair with Zeppo’s second wife, Barbara. However, it is his links with unsavory characters like mobster Gus Greenbaum that paint a darker picture. Greenbaum, who took over the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas after the murder of its co-founder Bugsy Siegel, had a gruesome fate himself; he was killed by mobsters for allegedly skimming profits.

Another dangerous figure in Zeppo's life was Pat DiCicco, an enforcer for the infamous Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, one of the most notorious drug dealers of his time. In a surprising twist, Bader recounts an incident during a boxing match where Zeppo knocked DiCicco out cold after a heated argument. “If anyone else had done that,” Bader notes, “they’d likely have faced severe repercussions. But Zeppo was well-connected enough that nothing happened to him. He was not frightened at all; he was one of them.”

Bader's extensive research, which comprised interviews and studying court records, revealed startling connections, including an instance in 1958 when Zeppo was summoned before a grand jury regarding a gambling syndicate’s missing funds. Although he hinted at his ties to Greenbaum, Zeppo cleverly evaded naming names.

The concern for Zeppo’s choices wasn't limited to outsiders; his brothers were deeply worried about his high-stakes gambling habits and the danger it imposed. Bader highlights their fear, stating, “He would lose $100,000 one night and win $200,000 the next. They were terrified of his debts.” Yet, their cherished bond kept them connected. “They called each other almost every day. That’s the way they were.”

Not only was Zeppo a charismatic storyteller capable of making Groucho laugh until he cried, but he also thrived among some of the most dangerous figures in Hollywood. Susan Marx, Harpo's widow, recounted the shocking sight of Zeppo mingling with mobsters at a 1940s fundraising gala, raising eyebrows about his surprising circle of acquaintances.

Bader's inquiry unveiled Zeppo's potential involvement in jewelry heists targeting Hollywood stars in the 1930s. He suggests Zeppo may have had a hand in organizing these robberies, likely as a means to finance his talent agency.

In the 1940s, after stepping away from acting, Zeppo's reputation as a savvy agent skyrocketed; he represented Hollywood heavyweights like Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray and played a pivotal role in producing the classic film Double Indemnity.

Tim Marx, Zeppo’s son, acknowledged Bader's portrayal of his father as both “charming and funny” but also “narcissistic.” Bader concludes, “While the story of the Marx Brothers is a bright and comedic saga, Zeppo's tale is a shadowy film noir, filled with secrets that even his closest friends were unaware of until now.”

Prepare to delve into a world of unexpected twists and jaw-dropping revelations about a man whose life straddled the line between comedy and crime – a life far from the merriment associated with the Marx Brothers. This book promises to leave you rethinking everything you thought you knew!