Erin Fleming
 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (July 2008) |
| Erin Fleming | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marilyn Fleming August 13, 1941 New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | April 15, 2003 (aged 61) Los Angeles, California |
| Partner | Groucho Marx |
Erin Fleming (13 August 1941 – 15 April 2003) was a Canadian actress who was best known as the companion and caregiver to Groucho Marx in his final years.
Contents |
[edit] Early career
Fleming was born Marilyn Fleming in New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada. She appeared in minor roles in five films between 1965 and 1976, during which time she became acquainted with Marx and moved into his house.
[edit] Relationship with Marx
Fleming's influence on Marx was controversial. Many close to him admitted that she did much to revive his popularity; these efforts included a series of one-man shows, culminating in a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall, and an honorary Academy Award that was presented to him during his lifetime. Also, some observers felt the apparent relationship with a young starlet boosted Groucho's ego, adding to his vitality. Others, including Marx's son, Arthur, described her in Svengali-esque terms, accusing her of exploiting an increasingly senile Marx in pursuit of her own stardom.
In the years leading up to Marx's death in 1977, his heirs filed several lawsuits against her. One allegation leveled against Fleming was that she was determined to sell Marx's favorite car, a Cadillac, against his wishes. When Marx protested, it was said, Fleming threatened, "I will slap you from here to Pittsburgh." Many people close to Marx believed Fleming was abusive towards him. Arthur wanted temporary conservatorship of his father, and took Erin to court. According to the book Raised Eyebrows by Groucho's secretary Steve Stoliar, Fleming had several personal problems; he stated in his book that she used drugs, had mood swings, and was given to inappropriate outbursts, both in public and in private.
The court battles dragged into the early 1980s, but judgments were eventually reached in favor of Arthur Marx, ordering Fleming to repay $472,000 to the Marx estate.
[edit] Arrest
Fleming's mental health deteriorated in the 1990s. She was arrested once in the Los Angeles area on a weapons charge, and spent much of the decade in and out of commitments to various psychiatric facilities.[citation needed]
[edit] Death
She committed suicide in 2003 by shooting herself.[citation needed]
[edit] Filmography
- The Legend of Blood Mountain (1965)
- Hercules in New York (1970)
- Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) (1972)
- Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York (1975)
- McCullough's Mountain (1976)
[edit] Television
- Adam-12 (Episode: "Venice Division", 1973)
[edit] Sources
- Stefan Kanfer, Groucho: The Life and Times of Julius Henry Marx (2000)
- Miriam Marx Allen, Love, Groucho: Letters from Groucho Marx to his Daughter Miriam (1992)
- Arthur Marx, My Life with Groucho (1992) revised from Life With Groucho (1954)
- Steve Stoliar, Raised Eyebrows: My Years Inside Groucho's House (1996)
[edit] External links
- Erin Fleming at the Internet Movie Database
- "His Kids and Consort Wage an Unseemly Court Case Over an Ailing Groucho Marx" from the May 9, 1977 issue of People.
- "Loving Groucho Wrecked My Life" an article by Erin Fleming from the July 1983 issue of Movie Star.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
