Actress. Erin Fleming, although professionally an actress, was most recognized as the long-time companion of comedic actor Groucho Marx from 1969 to his death in 1977. Born Marilyn Suzanne Fleming, she appeared in minor roles in a few television shows and in five films between 1965 and 1976. It was during this time she became acquainted with Groucho Marx, who was over fifty years her senior. As his hired secretary, manager and companion, she helped revive his professional visibility with campus tours and a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall. From his Carnegie Hall performance, his double album "An Evening with Groucho" was recorded and was a Grammy nominee for Best Comedy Recording. She arranged his appearances on television shows including the 1968 Tony Award presentation, where he had the audience in laughter. Their relationship became controversial to the point that Marx's children filed legal charges against her. The court processing continued into the 1980s, but judgments were eventually reached in 1988 in favor of Marx's children, ordering Fleming to repay $472,000 to the Marx estate. After this, she was diagnosed with mental health problems. Author Sidney Sheldon penned in 1976 the novel based on Groucho and Fleming's relationship, which was made into a television movie "A Stranger in the Mirror" in 1993. With what she called in an article as "a life in ruins", her life ended with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Her remains were cremated and returned to Canada for burial.
Actress. Erin Fleming, although professionally an actress, was most recognized as the long-time companion of comedic actor Groucho Marx from 1969 to his death in 1977. Born Marilyn Suzanne Fleming, she appeared in minor roles in a few television shows and in five films between 1965 and 1976. It was during this time she became acquainted with Groucho Marx, who was over fifty years her senior. As his hired secretary, manager and companion, she helped revive his professional visibility with campus tours and a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall. From his Carnegie Hall performance, his double album "An Evening with Groucho" was recorded and was a Grammy nominee for Best Comedy Recording. She arranged his appearances on television shows including the 1968 Tony Award presentation, where he had the audience in laughter. Their relationship became controversial to the point that Marx's children filed legal charges against her. The court processing continued into the 1980s, but judgments were eventually reached in 1988 in favor of Marx's children, ordering Fleming to repay $472,000 to the Marx estate. After this, she was diagnosed with mental health problems. Author Sidney Sheldon penned in 1976 the novel based on Groucho and Fleming's relationship, which was made into a television movie "A Stranger in the Mirror" in 1993. With what she called in an article as "a life in ruins", her life ended with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Her remains were cremated and returned to Canada for burial.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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