his brothers, but when Gummo joined the army, Zeppo was asked to join the act as a last-minute replacement at a show in Texas. He and a Jewish friend were supposed to have a date with two Irish girls, but Zeppo canceled in order to board the train to Texas. His friend was shot several hours later by a gang that disapproved of Jews dating Irish girls.

Having watched his brothers for many years, Zeppo could imitate and replace any of the others when illness kept them from performing live on stage, most notably stepping in for Groucho during