Susan, an only child who never had any roots, and I, a lone wolf who got married 20 years to late, were adopted by the kids as much as they were by us.

"
His non-speaking in his early films was occasionally referred to by the other Marx Brothers who were careful to imply that his character's not speaking was a choice rather than a disability. The turn-of-the-century building that Harpo called "the first real home they ever knew" (in his memoir Harpo Speaks) was populated with European immigrants mostly artisans – which even included a glass blower. Over time he darkened the pink to more of a reddish color again alluded to in films with names such as "Rusty.

His comic style was influenced by clown and pantomime traditions. He was the second-oldest of the Marx Brothers. Marx frequently used props such as a horn cane made up of a lead pipe tape and a bulbhorn and he played the harp in most of his films.